"Don't fill up on the Antipasto!"

Antipasto (plural antipasti), means "before the meal" and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, roasted garlic, pepperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella) and peperone (marinated small green bell peppers, not to be confused with pepperoni). The antipasto is usually topped off with olive oil.

Many compare antipasto to hors d'oeuvre, but antipasto is served at the table and signifies the official beginning of the Italian meal. It may be referred to as a starter, or an entrée. Most Italian children or children of Italian descent would be familiar with the phrase "Don't fill up on the Antipasto", a directive given by elders as a warning, there is plenty more to come, it is just the beginning of the meal.

The term "antipasti" appear on restaurant menus. In spanish cuisine they use the term Tapas which loosley translates to small plates.