Rick Steves Cautions Travelers About Portugal's Sneaky Money Trap At Restaurants

After a long day of seeing Portugal's top sights and destinations, you'll likely end up at a restaurant, hungry and ready to refuel. Portuguese cuisine is delectable, and so are the plentiful appetizers that arrive on your table as you decide on your main course. But travel author and television host Rick Steves cautions tourists to think twice before sampling these hors d'oeuvres.

"While they seem like friendly freebies," he writes on his website, "they're carefully tallied." In other words, don't expect any complimentary food to land on your table in Portugal. These bite-size nibbles, also called "couvert" or "entradas," come with a nominal fee, though prices vary depending on the dish. Portuguese servers may place these appetizers in front of you without a request. But if you dig in, you can expect to see a line item on your final bill.

While the additional charge will not likely be exorbitant, it can be an unwelcome surprise, especially if you're looking to save money. For budget-conscious travelers, Rick Steves suggests eating near Europe's many markets, where the food is often fresher, less expensive, and more authentic than what's offered in the tourist neighborhoods. As for the appetizers that magically appear on your table, it's perfectly acceptable to politely send them back.

Many unsuspecting tourists in Portugal have reached for the plates of "bolinhos de bacalhau," or fried cod fitters, and savory sausage bread resting on the table without knowing that they will have to pay the price. While this practice may seem like a sneaky way to up-charge customers for food they didn't order, appetizers give visitors a chance to taste local fare without having to troll the menu. "I think the entradas are one of the best parts of the meal," writes Gabriella Opaz, co-founder of Portugal-based tour company Catavino. "My favorite is the sardine paté, which is delicious to spread over fresh bread with a slice of cheese on top."

If you don't touch the plates, you likely won't be charged. To avoid any confusion at the end of the meal, it might be better to offer up a simple "Não, obrigato" to the waiter the moment the unrequested food arrives. You may also ask that the food be removed from the table before your main course is served.

According to Steves, another unexpected cost you might encounter is the drinking water. Bottles of water are not typically free when dining at Portuguese restaurants. "Europeans are notoriously serious about their water," Steves explains. The preference for bottled water is about taste rather than health, although tap water can be requested, he adds. But it can be an awkward exchange just to avoid the small price tag attached. "You may need to be polite, patient, and inventive, and you'll need to know the correct phrase," he writes. Thankfully, Portugal is home to some of Europe's best budget-friendly destinations, and it's easy to eat well without overspending.