Chefs reveal the best and worst things to order at an Italian restaurant

Sophia MitrokostasSep 3, 2020, 19:26 IST

Chefs told Insider that certain dishes, like Margherita pizza, are usually overpriced.Shutterstock

Chefs told Insider that certain dishes at Italian restaurants are always worth ordering whereas others are often a rip-off or something you're better off making at home.
Ordering a braised dish, homemade pasta, or another meal that takes a long time to make is a smart way to spend your money.
Pass on the garlic bread unless it is served in a traditional style.
You should probably avoid ordering the cacio e pepe since it's a three-ingredient meal that's very cheap and quick to make at home.

Many Italian restaurants serve up some seriously tasty classics, but not everything on the menu is equal.

Insider consulted with real chefs to pinpoint which common Italian-restaurant offerings are worthy of space on your plate and which are better prepared at home — or skipped altogether.

Here's what to order and what to avoid next time you visit an Italian eatery.

Ordering a braised dish is a smart way to spend your money.

Although much of Italian cuisine can be easy to whip up at home, some meals are a bit more labor-intensive. Shutterstock

An Italian restaurant is the ideal place to indulge in lasagna.

Lasagna isn't always easy to make. Shutterstock

Handmade pasta is a treat you shouldn't overlook.

Pasta is often one of the cheapest items in the grocery store, but it tastes different when it's made by hand. Shutterstock

Veal dishes like osso buco are usually worth the extra money.

Osso buco can be difficult to make at home, especially if you don't live near specialty food stores. robynmac / iStock

Arancini are a deep-fried Italian comfort food.

They are often stuffed with meat. Shutterstock

On the other hand, Margherita pizza is often way overpriced for what it is.

Margherita pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Pixabay

Unless tomatoes are in season, skip the caprese salad.

Caprese salad is offered at most Italian restaurants. Shutterstock

Pass on the garlic bread unless it is served in a traditional style.

Garlic lovers may struggle not to order a basket of garlic bread, but this is one side dish that's perhaps best prepared in your own kitchen. Richard Drew/AP

Spaghetti Bolognese is another dish that is likely cheaper to make at home.

Ordering it at a restaurant may be tasty, but isn't very economical. Pixabay/RitaE

Unless you're only drinking one serving, ordering wine by the glass is usually a bad money move.

A bottle often holds more pours than you think. Shutterstock

Cacio e pepe is a three-ingredient meal that's very cheap and quick to make at home.

Cacio e pepe could be the most basic Italian pasta dish out there. Shutterstock

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