Never order this pasta in Italy

It's a common pasta combo, but for Italians it's a red flag.

There’s one pasta dish that you may enjoy here in Australia, but is a big red flag for tourists looking for the perfect restaurant in any of Italy’s 20 regions.

If you see a restaurant’s menu including a pasta dish with anything chicken in it, you should run. You're most likely in a tourist trap, as it's not something Italians traditionally eat.

Chicken fettuccine alfredo, creamy chicken pasta, Cajun chicken pasta and more. Italians have an unmatched hate for pasta and chicken in one dish since they value a slow, delicious dining experience with several courses.

Chicken pasta ... you won't find this in more legit Italian restaurants. Picture: iStock

Of course, Italians love chicken too, with superstar dishes like Chicken Parmigiana and Chicken Cacciatore. But they enjoy it as the “secondi” portion, while pasta is reserved for the “primi” or the first course after the antipasti.

Experiencing great Italian cuisine can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re not sure how to differentiate a traditional and authentic restaurant from a tourist trap.

Let us guide you to a few tips on how you can indulge in good and authentic Italian cuisine.

1. Know your Italian courses

It’s always best to check the menu of the restaurant you’ll dine at, especially if you’re a tourist. For Italian restaurants, the first thing to check is if the menu is broken down into antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, and dolci. Of course, you’ll have to do your own research on traditional Italian dishes, but you’re off to a good start if they don’t serve chicken and pasta in one dish.

2. Ask a local for a recommendation

Don't just take a chance with your precious dining opportunities in Italy - ask a local.

No one knows Italian food better than Italians. If you’re staying at an Airbnb with a generous host, ask for their favorite local spot and their favorite dishes so you can eat like a local.

3. Reserve a table

Most good Italian restaurants can get pretty busy, especially if you’re in a popular tourist spot or you’re visiting in the peak season, so make sure to secure a reservation to avoid not dining at your desired restaurant. Make sure to be there on time, as being late is tolerated but you should drop a call to let the restaurant know.

4. Try local dishes

While familiar dishes may be comforting, our recommendation is to branch into things you haven't tried here at home. For example pasticcio (a pie filled with macaroni cheese, meat ragu and bechamel sauce), cappon magro (like a layered seafood lasagne), or penne alla norcina (a heady mix of pasta, cream and sausages).

Originally published as Never order this pasta in Italy