Oddly enough, the biggest expense item when traveling in Italy is spending on food. It does not matter in which place or in which particular resort your vacation takes place: in Rome, Florence, Sardinia, or Sorrento.
Great weather, many iconic sights, sea and beaches, and amazing local cuisine – that’s why Italy is always full of tourists. Only here the amounts in restaurant bills often come out more than originally expected. And this does not immediately become clear, because you can buy an air ticket for only 50 euros, trains throughout the country cost less than 20 euros, and a bus ticket costs 1 euro.
So, why in Italy, dishes in Italy are more expensive than indicated on the menu?
Coperta
This is a fee that is added to your bill every time you sit at a table in a restaurant.
Usually, this is an additional 2-4 euros added to the check for each guest. In this case, no one is deceiving you.
Coperta is, in fact, a payment for the fact that you take up space, use napkins, cutlery and tablecloth, and all other things at the table and on the table.
Both tourists and locals pay coperta, and its size can be clarified in advance with the waiter. Especially if you are inviting a large group. It cannot be more than five euros per person – even in Rome.
Coperta can be avoided by eating at random eateries with high tables and no seating, or taking food away and choosing the nearest beach, steps, or bench in the park.
Cafe – bar or table?
Italian coffee is known all over the world, it is rich and tasty – real.
If you just order coffee in Italy, you will most likely be served a small espresso – this is customary in most countries.
If you want a large portion of strong coffee, ask for “cafe lungo”. Maybe with milk.
Iced coffee – cafe Freddy. Also, try the incredibly thick and delicious cafe crema coffee.
The reason coffee is on our list is that there are two prices for the same drink depending on how you consume it.
If right at the counter, you will most likely be charged less – no more than 1-2 euros for a regular espresso.
But if you sit down at a table, the price will double and can easily reach four euros – it depends on the appetites of a particular institution.
So if you’re trying to save money, enjoy yourself at the bar!
Service charge and tip
Tipping, as in many countries, is not required in Italy, but they are welcome.
Often the waiter himself, bringing you a bill for payment, will tell you if a tip or service charge has already been added.
But if the waiter asks for a tip, make sure it’s not on the bill. You may have already been charged for the service.
So, if you want to save money on your trip, use our tips for your next trip.