In Italy, dinner is not just a meal. It is an evening, built in courses, shared around the table and never rushed. Once you know how an Italian meal works, every menu makes sense, and you will order (and eat) like a local. Here is our guide to the courses of an Italian meal, a few unwritten rules, and how to put it all together for a proper Italian dinner in Uluwatu at CAVO, our pizza and pasta bar on Jl. Labuansait.
The courses of an Italian meal
A traditional Italian meal follows a simple order. Nobody expects you to eat every course, especially on a weeknight, but knowing the structure helps you build the perfect table:
- Aperitivo: a light, bitter drink and a few small bites before dinner, to open the appetite.
- Antipasti: starters to share, from cured meats and cheeses to fried treats.
- Primo: the first course, usually pasta, risotto or soup.
- Secondo: the second course, meat or fish.
- Contorni: side dishes of vegetables or potatoes, served alongside the secondo.
- Dolci: dessert.
- Caffè and digestivo: an espresso and a little something to finish the night.
1. Aperitivo: open the appetite
The evening starts with aperitivo: a Spritz, a Negroni or a glass of prosecco, with something salty to nibble. It is about slowing down and catching up before the meal begins. Read more in our guide to the Italian aperitivo.
At CAVO: Aperitivo Romana runs every day from 4 to 6 PM, and our bar pours Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, a classic Negroni and an Americano.
2. Antipasti: starters to share
Antipasti are made for the middle of the table. In Italy they change by region and season, but the idea is always the same: a few plates everyone can pick at while the wine is poured.
At CAVO: Olive Ascolane (fried green olives stuffed with beef and parmigiano), Arancini al Tartufo, Calamari Fritti, Prosciutto with Bali melon, and a whole Burrata e Pomodorini. New to burrata? Our guide to burrata, stracciatella and mozzarella explains the difference.
3. Primo: pasta, the heart of the meal
Here is the big surprise for many visitors: in Italy, pasta is not the main course. It is the primo, the first course, served in a portion meant to be followed by something else. Italians take the match between pasta shape and sauce very seriously, which is why we wrote a whole guide to Italian pasta shapes.
At CAVO: four fresh pastas from family recipes, each paired with the right shape: Spicy Paccheri alla Vodka, Nduja Rigatoni, Lamb Ragù Pappardelle and Gamberi Spaghetti Aglio-Olio, plus a Wild Mushroom and Truffle Risotto. Gluten-free pasta is available on request for any pasta dish. And because we cook the way our families did, our portions are generous, Nonna-sized and made for sharing.
4. Pizza: where does it fit?
Pizza is not part of the traditional sequence of courses. In Italy it is usually a meal on its own, often eaten with friends on a casual night out. We love it as part of a shared table: one or two oval Roman-style pizzas in the middle, alongside antipasti and pasta, is our favourite way to eat.
5. Secondo and contorni: the main event
The secondo is meat or fish, often served simply so the quality of the ingredients shines. Vegetables and potatoes come separately as contorni, so everyone can share.
At CAVO: Tagliata di Manzo (grilled sirloin with rosemary butter, rocket and parmigiano), Porchetta alla Romana with crackling and salsa verde, Gamberi alla Griglia (oven-roasted king prawns with garlic-chilli butter), Schnitzel alla Casa and Melanzane alla Parmigiana. On the side: crushed baby potatoes with rosemary and garlic, roasted Mediterranean vegetables or a crunchy salad.
6. Dolci, caffè and digestivo
Dessert in Italy is usually simple and shared. Then comes an espresso, short and strong, and perhaps a digestivo to help everything settle.
At CAVO: Nonna’s tiramisu, our signature (what makes it so special is our little kept secret), a Dolce of folded pizza dough with Nutella, strawberries and hazelnuts, or a Limoncello Sgroppino. To finish, an espresso or one of our digestive cocktails, such as an Amaro Sour or a Boulevardier. See the dessert menu.
A few unwritten Italian rules
- Share everything. Order a few plates for the table rather than one main each.
- Cappuccino is for the morning. After a meal, Italians order an espresso.
- No parmesan on seafood pasta. Traditionally, cheese and fish do not mix. (We will not tell anyone if you ask.)
- Do not cut your spaghetti. Twirl it with your fork instead.
- Fare la scarpetta. Mopping up the last of the sauce with a piece of bread is not rude; it is a compliment to the cook.
- Take your time. Nobody will rush you. Dinner is the evening.
How to order at CAVO: our suggestions
- For two: an aperitivo, Burrata e Pomodorini, one pasta and one pizza to share, then tiramisu. On Mondays, our Table for Two offer includes antipasti, two pizzas or pastas, two glasses of house wine and dessert.
- For four: three antipasti, two pastas, two pizzas and a secondo for the middle of the table, with sides and a bottle of Italian wine.
- For a quick lunch: a focaccia sandwich or a pizza and a salad. See our lunch menu.
Ready to eat like an Italian in Uluwatu? See our food menu and drinks menu, and book a table on WhatsApp at +62 813 2830 088. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Italian dining FAQs
What is the order of courses in an Italian meal?
A traditional Italian meal goes aperitivo, antipasti (starters), primo (usually pasta or risotto), secondo (meat or fish) with contorni (sides), dolci (dessert), then espresso and a digestivo.
Is pasta a main course in Italy?
No. In Italy pasta is usually the primo, or first course, followed by a secondo of meat or fish. Outside Italy, and at CAVO, it is perfectly fine to share pasta as a main.
What is the difference between primo and secondo?
The primo is the first course, usually pasta, risotto or soup. The secondo is the second course, usually meat or fish, served with contorni (side dishes).
Why do Italians not put parmesan on seafood pasta?
Traditionally, Italians believe strong cheese overpowers the delicate flavour of fish and seafood, so parmesan is rarely served with seafood pasta.
Where can I eat Italian food in Uluwatu?
CAVO Bar & Bistro on Jl. Labuansait, Pecatu is an Italian pizza and pasta bar serving fresh pasta from family recipes, oval Roman-style pizza, antipasti, secondi and Nonna’s tiramisu, with lunch from 12 PM (Tuesday to Sunday) and dinner every night.
