How to Eat Pizza Like an Italian: the 4 Rules to Follow

Pizza, originally a humble dish from the vibrant streets of Italy, has transcended its origins to become a global culinary phenomenon. Its simple foundation of dough, tomato, and cheese has served as a canvas for an array of international interpretations, leading to the birth of distinctive styles such as the deep-dish Chicago pizza, the thin and crispy New York pizza, and the controversial Hawaiian pizza, among others. Each country has embraced pizza, infusing it with local flavors and ingredients, thereby creating an endless variety of this beloved dish. However, when you find yourself in Italy, the birthplace of pizza, it's important to navigate its consumption with a certain level of respect and adherence to local customs. The Italians hold pizza in high regard, and there's a specific etiquette to follow to avoid any culinary faux pas. Fortunately, we're here to guide you through the dos and don'ts of enjoying pizza in Italy, ensuring you can dine like a true Italian and savor this iconic dish in the land where it all began.

1. Do Not Ask For Ketchup

Being one of the most beloved foods in Italy, pizza is made specifically with the freshest ingredients you could find on the market, which are mixed together to perfection, achieving a perfect balance of tastes. You don't need to alter these flavors with low quality dripping sauces that will cover the real taste of the ingredients. Each pizza has its own unique mix of ingredients, so be sure to have it as it's brought to you, and enjoy it at its best! But don't despair: in case you're in the mood for ketchup (or mayonnaise, or any other dipping sauce) you can always order it to drizzle it on fries!

2. Don't Ask for "Pepperoni Pizza", Lest You Want Pizza With Bell Peppers

Make sure to watch what you say! If you order "Pepperoni pizza" you will find yourself with a pizza covered in bell peppers, and not the tasty spicy pepperoni slices you're used to. That's because pepperoni is an Italian-American topping, and it's not available in Italy. If you want to taste the Italian version of Pepperoni Pizza, be sure to ask for a "Diavola": the topping is made with salami and chili flakes or pepper. And be sure to have water at the ready: the pizza is really spicy!

3. The Only Slices of Pizza are "Al Taglio"

If you're eating at a pizza restaurant (pizzeria) don't ask for only a slice of pizza: pizzerias will only serve you a round, individual one. That's because a full Italian pizza is much lighter and smaller than other pizzas worldwide (like New York style pizza slices or the Chicago Deep Dish), and made at the moment just for you! If you are in the mood for pizza, but you don't feel up to eating a whole round pizza, you can still look for a place that sells pizza "al taglio", aka pizza in squares: various toppings are available in this format, and you can choose the ones you prefer, enjoying just a slice of each, or just one, depending on what you're up to!

4. Do Not Ask for Pinapple or Chicken as Toppings

Lastly, make sure to never ask for pineapple or chicken as your toppings of choice. These ingredients, although beloved worldwide, are not traditional in Italy, and therefore won't figure on pizzerias menus. If you're visiting Italy for the first time, have the real Italian experience and try original and traditional pizza toppings. You can try the original Margherita pizza, with fresh tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella cheese and fresh basil; or you can try the other traditional pizzas, such as Marinara, Prosciutto e funghi, Quattro Stagioni, Capricciosa, Quattro Formaggi, Ortolana, Diavola, Boscaiola, Carrettiera and Calzone (which is a stuffed pizza).