A Little Taste of Italy: Enjoy a Small Meal of Italian Appetizers at Tino's

Sometimes you don't need a big entrée to enjoy a great Italian meal. When you're craving a little taste of Italy without a full plate of pasta or a large dinner, why not make a meal out of appetizers?

At Tino's Italian Bistro & Wine Bar in Columbia, MD, our appetizer menu makes it easy to mix, match, share, and enjoy several different Italian flavors in one meal.

Whether you're meeting a friend for a casual bite, enjoying a date night, or simply want to try something a little different, settle in and order a few favorites from our appetizer menu.

Start with Antipasto

A traditional Italian meal often begins with antipasti, and Tino's Antipasto is a great choice when you want to sample a variety of flavors.

Our Antipasto combines prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and tomatoes. It's a colorful combination of savory, salty, fresh, and tangy flavors that's perfect for sharing—or enjoying as a light meal of your own.

Pair it with a glass of wine and you have an easygoing Italian-inspired meal without ordering a traditional entrée.

Keep It Fresh with Mozzarella Caprese

If you prefer something light and refreshing, Mozzarella Caprese is a classic.

Tino's version features fresh mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, and fresh basil, finished with olive oil and a balsamic reduction.

The combination is simple, but that's part of its appeal. Creamy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of balsamic come together for a dish that feels fresh and satisfying.

It's also a great way to balance out richer or fried appetizers.

Add Some Crunch with Calamari

For something crispy, order the Calamari.

Tino's fresh calamari is lightly breaded and fried until golden brown, then served with our house-made marinara.

It's a longtime Italian-restaurant favorite for a reason: crispy calamari and warm marinara make an easy appetizer to share—or a satisfying centerpiece for a small-plate meal.

Try Mussels Your Way

If seafood is more your style, Mussels give you another way to build a lighter Italian meal.

At Tino's, steamed mussels can be prepared with your choice of marinara, Fra Diavolo, garlic and oil, Oreganato, white wine, or simply steamed.

Choosing a sauce lets you change up the experience depending on what you're craving. Go with marinara for classic Italian flavor, Fra Diavolo for some heat, or white wine for something lighter.

Don't Forget the Meatballs

For a taste of traditional Italian comfort food, try Tino's homemade meatballs.

They're made from a fifth-generation family recipe and served with Italian toast.

They're the kind of appetizer that can easily become the star of a small meal, especially when paired with another lighter dish such as Caprese or Antipasto.

Build Your Own Italian Small-Plate Meal

One of the best things about ordering appetizers is that you don't have to choose just one flavor.

For a group, order several dishes and share them around the table. If you're dining with someone else, choose two or three appetizers and make your own Italian tasting experience.

Here are a few combinations to try:

For something fresh:
Mozzarella Caprese + Antipasto

For seafood lovers:
Calamari + Mussels

For classic Italian comfort food:
Homemade Meatballs + Arancini Balls

For a little bit of everything:
Antipasto + Calamari + Mozzarella Caprese

You can even turn happy hour into a small Italian feast. Tino's offers weekday happy hour Monday through Friday from 2–6 p.m., with specials on beer, wine, rail drinks, and a selection of small plates.

Enjoy a Little Taste of Italy at Tino's

A great Italian meal doesn't always have to mean a big entrée. Sometimes a few thoughtfully chosen appetizers, a glass of wine, and good company are all you need.

From Antipasto and Mozzarella Caprese to crispy Calamari, steamed Mussels, and Tino's homemade Meatballs, there's plenty to explore on the appetizer menu at Tino's Italian Bistro & Wine Bar.

So next time you're looking for a light Italian meal in Columbia, MD, skip the big entrée and make your meal out of small plates instead.

Come hungry for a little taste of Italy—and stay for another bite.