Times of evening meals in Italy
Jun 22nd 2010, 4:50 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
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Times of evening meals in Italy
Ok a sort of odd question, but can anyone tell me the times normally the Italians eat their evening meals, please?
Jun 22nd 2010, 4:55 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 75
Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Down here in the south, usually about 9pm.
Jun 22nd 2010, 5:16 pm
#3
The Original Red Head!
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Ciao Casa! Welcome to BE Italy forum!!!
Anywhere from 8.00 p.m. onwards I would say. Normally once everyone is back from work. It's also why kids stay up so late as dad likes to eat with them and he can't return earlier. Isn't this really early in Spain though?!
Anywhere from 8.00 p.m. onwards I would say. Normally once everyone is back from work. It's also why kids stay up so late as dad likes to eat with them and he can't return earlier. Isn't this really early in Spain though?!
Jun 22nd 2010, 5:30 pm
#4
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Location: Galicia
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
No that is why I am asking..we have a group of Italians with us for a few days we normally havea meal at around 9.30ish it suits most Spanish and other nationalities seem to fit in.
Thank you both...maybe I should have asked this sort of question of Trip Advisor
Thank you both...maybe I should have asked this sort of question of Trip Advisor
Jun 22nd 2010, 5:39 pm
#5
The Original Red Head!
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
This time of year you will be fine! Everyone eats later and there are loads of Notte Bianca now so everyone is out later anyway.
You could do an apperitivo or take them for tapas first, that would probably go down well!!
You could do an apperitivo or take them for tapas first, that would probably go down well!!
Jun 22nd 2010, 5:53 pm
#6
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Location: Galicia
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Tapas is a thing for the south or for the tourist. (You will find quite a number of tapas bars in Santiago de Compostela---a good tourist trap). The locals eat very large meals and we tend to do the same as the competition (other casa Rurals). But we do have our version of Grappa, it is called Aguardiente/Orujo (depending on the language Galician or Spanish)
Jun 22nd 2010, 6:20 pm
#7
The Original Red Head!
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Ah, I misunderstood, I wondered if I had! You mean they are guests, as in paying guests! Then, quite honestly, do what you always do! If you came and stayed in Italy then you would be expected to fit in with mealtimes etc. so I don't see why you should do anything differently! Are these your first Italians??
Jun 23rd 2010, 9:22 am
#8
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
No we had some last year too. They drove all the way but at that time we had a mixture of nations in the house so it was easier to say to them what time the evening meal was. This is a large group and we only have one Spaniard in they are in the majority, hence the doubts.
Jun 23rd 2010, 10:12 am
#9
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
If they're coming while World Cup still on and if Italy are still in it, you'll need to take match times into account!
Jun 23rd 2010, 10:24 am
#10
Crazy Cat Lady
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Ah, I misunderstood, I wondered if I had! You mean they are guests, as in paying guests! Then, quite honestly, do what you always do! If you came and stayed in Italy then you would be expected to fit in with mealtimes etc. so I don't see why you should do anything differently! Are these your first Italians??
and they're all in bed by 9pm. Funny old world 
Not sure I could eat after 8.30pm any more, out of the habit completely.
Jun 23rd 2010, 11:13 am
#11
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
We've had to adjust, I think we ate around 6.30/7 in the Uk, but it has slowly got later here. It can still be really hot around 6 and I wouldn't want to be in the kitchen cooking - not completely got the outdoor cooking culture in this part of Italy yet!!
Jun 23rd 2010, 12:27 pm
#13
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
With Italians it kind of depends if they have kids or not. We have a 2 year old and most of our friends have young children too so they usually eat at around 7.30-8.30 with their kids. 9.30 would definitely be on the late side for an Italian child to eat dinner as the merindina is usually served after daycare at 4.30 or so and 5 hrs is a long time for a little kid to go without eating.
Of course this also depends on where they are from. In the South they eat later than in the North as a rule.
When we meet friends (without kids) for dinner we usually meet at 8.30.
Of course this also depends on where they are from. In the South they eat later than in the North as a rule.
When we meet friends (without kids) for dinner we usually meet at 8.30.
Jun 24th 2010, 9:40 am
#14
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
We often end up eating around 10 p.m. as DH finishes work late. Not sure what we'll do when the baby arrives and grows up a bit though- two sittings I guess!
Jun 24th 2010, 12:40 pm
#15
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Location: Galicia
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Re: Times of evening meals in Italy
Well our guests arrived. They are from Rome. Great group they eat well and do not mind Spanish eating times. One of the group has very distant relations from Galicia, hence the visit to this area.
Thanks for all of your input.
Thanks for all of your input.
