Is the couvert mandatory or optional in Italy?
I'll be traveling to France and Italy, and a friend of mine said that it's common to pay a tax (? don't know if there is a better word in English) called couvert, and in exchange of that you receive some breads with garlic + tomato, or something like that.
So, it is obligatory? How should I proceed if I don't want it ?
Best Answer
It doesn't exist in France.
It exists in the form you describe in Portugal: starters are brought to the table, as if a gift, but they are not free. You can just say that you don't want them. Anything you ask shall be paid, including bread and water.
It exists in Italy but not only for bread, garlic and tomato. It is a way of saying that you will be seated, with a plate, a fork, a knife in front of you and all of that needs to be cleaned after your meal. This one is mandatory. The only way to avoid it is to focus on street food.
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Can you refuse coperto in Italy?
The coperto is not a tip and not a scam - it is a standard practice at most restaurants in Italy, and every first timer gets (understandably) confused when it first arrives. You cannot bargain it down, nor can you refuse to pay it.Do you have to pay coperto in Italy?
You can eat the bread or not, but you still have to pay the coperto. It might seem a very strange habit, but for us Italians is a normal thing. You can see it as a way to cover the cost of pane e grissini (bread and breadsticks) and the use of cutlery and tablecloths, that must then be washed.Is service charge optional in Italy?
You are not expected to tip restaurants in Italy. A service charge is sometimes added to the bill, ranging from 1 to 3 Euros, or 10% - 15%. This charge must be indicated on the menu. Some may also add an extra charge for the diner ware and extras (tablecloth, silverware, plates, bread, etc.), this is normal.Is coperto legal?
Typically, a coperto is between 1 and 3 Euro per person and is charged for adults and children alike. What is this? However, there is no legal limit to the coperto, so if you're at a swanky rooftop bar overlooking a famous landmark or at a divine restaurant perched on the edge of the Amalfi Coast\u2026 it may be more.Tipping in Italy. How Much is Expected?
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Answer 2
I believe it is mandatory in many restaurants. On a recent trip, I kept noticing the charge on my checks, then I remembered that in Spain they would bring bread without asking and charge for it. In Spain I was able to avoid the charge by sending the bread back when it came. No such luck the time I tried it in Italy, charge still appeared.
On the positive side, the fee was usually only €1-2.
Answer 3
Couvert is obligatory to pay, especially if you take a seat. It is illegal though in Lazio due to regional law (even if they usually don’t care about this law, but if you’re willing to argue...)
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