Lesson 6- The bill
Module 2 · Al Ristorante · Lesson 5 of 6
The bill
How to ask for it, what’s on it, and how to pay without surprises.
The bill in Italy does not arrive automatically. When you are ready, you ask for it. What arrives might look more complicated than you expect — here is exactly what every line means, and the phrases you need to handle it confidently.
A typical Italian bill / Un conto tipico
Trattoria da Mario
Via Roma 14 · Napoli
Penne all’arrabbiataprimo
€ 9,00
Pollo alla grigliasecondo
€ 13,00
Insalata mistacontorno
€ 4,00
Acqua naturale 1Lbevanda
€ 2,50
Copertoper persona × 2
€ 4,00
Servizio10%
€ 3,25
What each line means
primo / secondo / contorno
The dishes you ordered. Each course appears as a separate line. No surprises here.
bevanda
Drinks. Water, wine, soft drinks. Always listed separately — even a bottle of water.
coperto
A fixed charge per person — usually €1–3 — that covers bread, tablecloth, and table service. Not optional. Not a mistake. Charged regardless of whether you ate the bread.
servizio
A service charge of 10–15%, common in tourist areas and larger restaurants. When servizio is included, tipping on top is not expected. When it’s absent, a small tip is appreciated but never required.
The bill never comes on its own
In Italy, leaving a bill unasked at the table is considered rude — it implies the restaurant wants you out. You signal when you are ready. Say Il conto, per favore and raise your hand slightly. The waiter will bring it. This is not slow service. It is respect for your time at the table.
Asking for the bill / Chiedere il conto
- Il conto, per favore.The bill, please.
- Scusi, possiamo avere il conto?Excuse me, could we have the bill?
- Quant’è in tutto?How much is it in total?
- Paghiamo separati.We’re paying separately.
- Paghiamo insieme.We’re paying together.
- Posso pagare con carta?Can I pay by card?
- Accettate bancomat?Do you accept debit cards?
- Pago io.I’ve got this. (I’m paying)
If something looks wrong
- Scusi, credo ci sia un errore.Excuse me, I think there’s a mistake.
- Non ho preso questo.I didn’t have this.
- Cos’è questa voce?What is this item?
- Il servizio è già incluso?Is the service charge already included?
La doggy bag
In Italy, asking to take leftover food home is still unusual — not offensive, but unexpected. It is changing slowly, especially in cities, but in a traditional trattoria the request will likely get a polite but puzzled reaction. If you want to try, the phrase is:
- Posso portare via gli avanzi?Can I take the leftovers with me?
- Posso avere un contenitore?Can I have a container?
Why it’s unusual
The Italian attitude to food at the table is that it should be eaten there, fresh, in the right context. Taking it home changes all of that. There is no cultural equivalent of the American doggy bag. Some restaurants in tourist areas now offer it without being asked — but don’t expect it everywhere. The worst that can happen is a polite no.