Kid-Friendly Foods to Order in Italy

Parents of finicky eaters shouldn’t worry about traveling with them in Italy. Family-friendly restaurants and familiar dishes are everywhere, and kids are sure to recognize at least two favorites: pizza and spaghetti.

A few details of dining in Italy may help your planning. Many restaurants don’t begin serving evening meals until 7 or 7:30 p.m., so you might want to stop at a pizzeria for a mid-afternoon slice. Most restaurants don’t have pizza ovens, so don’t expect to find pizza on a menu unless it’s a restaurant-pizzeria. And to get a half portion for younger children, ask for a mezza porzione.

Every dinner menu offers spaghetti or other pastas, listed under Primi near the top of the menu. Here are some dishes to look for within most kids’ comfort zones.

Pasta al Burro

This is pasta with butter. Even if it’s not on the menu, you can ask for it. For added Parmesan cheese, ask for pasta al burro e parmigiano.

Risotto

This dish consists of creamy rice cooked in broth, with other ingredients ranging from vegetables to shrimp. If your child shuns mushrooms, avoid risotto (or anything else) with funghi.

Pasta Marinara

Pasta with tomato sauce; Italians use less sauce than Americans usually do.

Pasta Bolognese or Ragú

The same as pasta marinara, but with meat in the tomato sauce.

Polpette

Meatballs, that’s it.

Arancini

Rice balls filled with mozzarella and deep fried; also a common street food in Sicily.

Gnocchi

Small, mild-flavored potato dumplings

Milanese di Pollo

Fried chicken cutlets