Which Italian dishes to order on a first visit

Which Italian dishes should you order to discover real homemade cooking? This guide gives you a simple, dish-by-dish route through the Pépé Zino menu, where the cooking is done by Italian chefs with products imported from Italy.

Antipasti, primi, dolci: how an Italian meal is built

An Italian meal comes in stages: antipasti to share, primi (usually pasta), then a pizza or a heartier dish, and finally dolci and coffee. For a first visit, one starter to share, one main each and a dessert are plenty. See also the difference between trattoria, ristorante and osteria.

Antipasti to share as a starter

Focaccia & Burrata is the easiest way in. For a group, the mixed board brings together Parma ham, Bologna mortadella, fennel sausage, bresaola, coppa and Italian cheeses. Polpette, beef meatballs with pecorino, garlic and parsley, are a family classic.

The pasta dishes that reveal real homemade cooking

Carbonara Roma is made the Roman way, without cream: spaghetti, guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino romano and black pepper. Cacio e Pepe tests the cook's emulsion skills. Pesto di Liguria, linguine Alla Vongole and Arrabbiata complete the choice.

Which pizza to choose the first time

Order a Margherita or a Marinara to judge the dough and the baking: with so few ingredients, nothing can hide. Then share the Pépé Zino, our signature pizza with mortadella, goat cheese and pistachio. Learn how to recognise a real Neapolitan pizza.

Italian desserts not to miss

Tiramisu, Sicilian cannoli, panna cotta and rum baba. If you cannot choose, the Italian gourmet coffee brings together tiramisu, cannoli and baba.

Building your meal for the occasion

On weekday lunchtimes, the Lunch Set (Monday to Friday) pairs a drink with a pizza or pasta dish. Families can choose the Menu Bambino, and groups can plan their meal through our events page. See every dish on the Pépé Zino menu and our Italian restaurant in Aubagne page.

Practical information and access

100 Impasse des Martinets, 13400 Aubagne. Free parking. Open 7/7. About 25 to 35 minutes by car from central Marseille via the A50. Book at 09 60 37 25 97 or via our contact form.