Italian Phrase
Possiamo vedere il menù dei dolci, per favore?
Meaning
A courteous way to ask the waiter or waitress if you may look at the dessert menu. It combines a request for permission (possiamo) with a polite ‘please’ (per favore).
When to use
Use this phrase in a restaurant after you have finished your main course or when you are ready to decide on dessert. It works in both casual trattorias and more formal dining settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possiamovedereilmenùdeidolci,perfavore?
Possiamo (we can)
The verb 'potere' in the present indicative, first person plural, expresses ability or permission: 'we can' or 'may we'.
vedere (to see)
An infinitive verb that follows 'possiamo' to indicate the action you are asking permission to perform.
il menù dei dolci
A noun phrase: 'menù' (menu) is masculine singular; 'dei dolci' is a partitive construction meaning 'of desserts'.
per favore (please)
A polite expression placed at the end of a request; it can also appear at the beginning of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Possiamo vedere il menù dei dolci, per favore?
Can we see the dessert menu, please?
Certo, eccolo qui.
Sure, here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Possiamo vedere il menù dei dolci per favore?
Missing the comma before 'per favore' can make the sentence feel rushed; the comma signals a polite pause.
Possiamo vedere il menù dei dessert, per favore?
‘Dessert’ is an English word; in Italian you should use ‘dolci’.
Possiamo vedere il menù dei dolci, per favore!
An exclamation mark makes the request sound demanding rather than polite.
↔Alternatives
Potremmo avere il menù dei dolci, per favore?
Could we have the dessert menu, please?
Mi porta il menù dei dolci, per favore?
Could you bring me the dessert menu, please?
Vorremmo dare un'occhiata al menù dei dolci.
We would like to take a look at the dessert menu.
Cultural Tip
In many Italian restaurants the dessert menu is presented automatically after the main course, but it’s still perfectly polite to ask for it, especially in tourist‑friendly places. 'Menù' is a loanword from French; in some regions you might also hear 'lista dei dolci'. Placing 'per favore' at the beginning ("Per favore, possiamo vedere…") sounds slightly more formal.