The Iconic Drink You Might Get Side-Eyed For Ordering With Pizza In Italy

It's no secret that Italy is well known for its iconic cuisine. Combining rich flavors with fresh ingredients, regional specialties, and time-honored traditions, the country has made a name for itself around the globe. That said, it's also no surprise that locals would have their own way of dining and drinking — and unsuspecting tourists might get caught off guard by some common mistakes people make while eating out in Italy that only Italians know to avoid (including this embarrassing cappuccino mistake).

One of these quirks is the very Italian custom of pairing specific drinks with specific meals. And while in most cases, it's totally fine to drink whatever you want with your meal, there are certain food and drink pairings that might get you more than a few side-eyes and scoffs from waiters and other patrons alike. The clearest — and relatively unexpected — example is how much of a no-no it is to pair a glass of wine with your pizza. Because even though wine might seem like the go-to beverage for pretty much all Italian meals — and the perfect complement to ensure that even the most subtle flavors stand out — when it comes to enjoying an authentic slice, locals typically reach for a cold beer instead.

Although it might seem tempting to try and show off your Italian chops and order a fancy bottle of wine with your pizza at dinnertime, you're better off just ordering a cold bottle of beer instead. However, don't think that Italians are just trying to be stubborn — there's actually a good reason behind this pairing that goes way beyond just taste preferences and cultural norms.

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The Three pizza rules in Italy

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So, what exactly is the reason? Well, according to food experts and historians, locals believe that fizzy beverages — think beer, Coke, soda water, and other carbonated drinks — can actually help with digestion. And, believe it or not, this belief is actually backed by science. For starters, there's the stimulating effect that bubbles have on the esophagus and throat, which makes swallowing easier. Throw in a few burps — all thanks to the fizz — and you've basically got a recipe for digestive success that'll help you get rid of that pizza-stuffed feeling in your stomach (via Healthline). As for knowing which beer to order alongside your food, we recommend you check out this handy guide of the best beers to pair with pizza, courtesy of the team at Tasting Table, that breaks it all down for you — leaving you prepped and ready to really impress the locals during your trip.

Pairing wine and pizza isn't the only mistake that you need to look out for. In fact, there are several other unspoken rules about dining in Italy that range from mildly frowned upon to downright offensive. One of the most common faux pas is a common request that Americans make that can be easily misconstrued as rude: substituting certain ingredients for another. In Italy, recipes are often considered sacred. In fact, most of them have actually been passed down from generation to generation — and asking for modifications can be considered an insult to the chef's expertise and the Italian culinary tradition.

There's also the deal with Italian meal times — which might throw you for a loop if you're not prepared. Unlike some countries where you can grab dinner at 6 p.m., Italians tend to eat much later. Generally speaking, locals typically enjoy their lunch between 1 and 2:30 p.m., which means that dinner doesn't usually start until 8:30 p.m. or later. Plus, considering mealtimes can sometimes span two or three hours, you might even find yourself lingering over your plate longer than expected. That said, most local restaurants won't be in a rush to kick you out. So feel free to relax and enjoy your pizza at a leisurely pace — just like the locals do.