Is the couvert mandatory or optional in Italy?

score:10

Accepted answer

I can't speak for France, but here in Italy it is normal to have a small amount / fee added to your bill when you eat in restaurants. As Mouviciel says correctly, it is something you pay to have a seat at the table, with all the necessary things.

Although it is true that normally it is just 1.50 / 2 euros, it is also true that the amount of the "fee" depends on the restaurant (I think I've seen it as high as 5 euros per person). Expect to see it added to your bill in pizzerias, restaurants and "trattorias", whereas you won't be asked anything extra if you eat in a self-service restaurant, in a café where they serve sandwiches and ready-made dishes, especially at lunch time for office workers, and normally places which offer "exotic" food (Japanese, Mexican, Indian, etc.) do not charge it either.

Upvote: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...)

Upvote:5

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.

Upvote:8

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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