Complimenting Food in Italian
In Italian, complimenting food is almost a cultural necessity, reflecting not only the appreciation of flavors but also the country’s deep-rooted love for the cuisine.
Italians express their enjoyment of food with a variety of descriptive words which capture unique aspects of taste and experience and convey genuine appreciation for every meal.
Complimenting food is more than a polite gesture for us: it’s a way to connect with others and celebrate our traditions. So let me guide you through the several words and expressions to say “delicious” in Italian.
“Delicious” in Italian
Delizioso
The most direct translation for “delicious” is the adjective delizioso. Of course, as all adjectives, it agrees in gender and number depending on the noun it modifies.
This word conveys a sense of delight and satisfaction with the flavor, making it perfect for dishes that have a well-balanced taste or a pleasing flavor profile.
Questo piatto è delizioso!
This dish is delicious!
Delizioso can be used for almost any type of food, from appetizers to desserts, making it a versatile choice when you want to compliment the chef.
Squisito
Another popular adjective is squisito. It has a tricky pronunciation, so make sure you properly know how to ready it out loud!
It is stronger than delizioso and often translates to “exquisite” in English, implying that the food is not only delicious but also crafted with a level of care or sophistication.
La torta è squisita!
The cake is exquisite!
Squisito is particularly fitting to describe gourmet food, fine dining, or any dish with a unique or refined flavor that stands out as special.
Buonissimo
If you’re looking for a more enthusiastic way to say something is delicious, you can use the absolute superlative buonissimo, which is derived from the adjective buono (good), meaning “very good”.
Il gelato è buonissimo!
The ice cream is very delicious!
Buonissimo is widely used in informal settings and is perfect when you want to show genuine enthusiasm about the taste of everyday foods like pasta, pizza, or gelato.
Fantastico
When the flavor of something truly amazes you, you can describe it as fantastico. This word translates to “fantastic” and is commonly used in Italian to mean that something exceeds expectations.
Questa pasta è fantastica!
This pasta is fantastic!
Fantastico is an energetic and informal way to praise food, commonly used by Italians when sharing a meal with friends or family.
Gustoso
For flavors that are particularly savory, hearty, or rich, the adjective gustoso is a great option. This term is often used for foods that are flavorful, spiced, or seasoned well, like sauces, stews, and meats.
Questo sugo è davvero gustoso!
This sauce is really tasty!
Gustoso is ideal for home-cooked meals, regional specialties, or anything that has a strong, satisfying taste.
Appetitoso
If you want to say that something is not only delicious but also visually appealing and makes you want to eat it, you might use appetitoso. It literally translates to “appetizing” but is also used to compliment the taste.
Questa pizza è molto appetitosa!
This pizza is very appetizing!
It conveys a combination of appearance and flavor, suggesting that a dish looks and tastes great.
Da Leccarsi i Baffi
For a more colorful expression, we often say da leccarsi i baffi, which translates literally to “so good you could lick your mustache”! I really like this expression, because it is fun and very expressive!
La lasagna della nonna è da leccarsi i baffi!
Grandma’s lasagna is finger-licking good!
Divino
When a dish is exceptionally delightful, you might describe it as divino, which translates to “divine”. It is a more poetic way to compliment food, reserved for truly extraordinary tastes that seem almost heavenly.
Questa cioccolata è divina!
This chocolate is divine!
Using divino adds a touch of reverence to your praise, making it perfect for desserts, wines, or gourmet dishes.
Sfizioso
For something unique and creative in flavor, you can use sfizioso, which describes food that’s fun, tempting, and maybe a bit unusual. It’s a term I often use for when I have aperitivo, because I typically have small and tasty bites or snacks.
Questi antipasti sono davvero sfiziosi!
These appetizers are really tempting!
As I mentioned before, sfizioso is great for tapas, finger foods, or fusion dishes that offer a fresh or unexpected taste.
