The Taverna Water Trap

When you sit down at a traditional Greek taverna, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Plaka or Monastiraki, the waiter will often immediately bring a basket of bread and a sealed bottle of mineral water to your table. Many travelers assume this is complimentary, but it is not.

You will be charged for both the bottled water and the bread (often listed as a 'cover charge' or 'kouvér'). If you do not want to pay for the bottled water, simply ask the waiter for 'neró vrísis' (tap water) as soon as you sit down. The tap water in Athens is perfectly safe to drink, delicious, and completely free.

Similarly, if you don't plan to eat the bread, politely decline it when it's brought to the table. This small adjustment will save you a few euros at every meal, which quickly adds up over the course of a trip.