We ate at Lisboa A Noite, Rua das Gaveas, 69. It was recommended by a good guide and the food was excellent. One thing that was a surprise: we were given a cheese and olive plate which we did not order. The waiter said "you will be charged if you eat this, but will not be charged if you don't." We were hungry so of course we ate part of it and got charged 8 euros!

That is the normal custom in Portugal. If you don’t want it, tell them to remove it, or leave it there and don’t touch it.

That is standard for Portugal. They usually bring more than one dish at the start. If you don't send them back you pay for them.

I hate when that happens!

Once you understand the system it's not a problem, but could easily be a trap for newbies.

Interesting---this was the only restaurant in our experience that did this thing with appetizers. I do think it is a tacky habit...great to raise revenue from tourists

Not unlike wait staff asking "still or bubbly" when you ask for water, omitting the option of tap water. By virtue of having done pre-travel research here you'll know how it works and act accordingly.

It's a local custom. Isn't "living like a local" what so many people posting here want to do? As Seamus says, preliminary research should have warned you.

And from locals too. I absolutely hate it. I live with this tradition for so many years (since I can remember!) and still hate it. And it is not hygienic, for instance with the bread. I do not eat bread with food, so why bringing it without asking me first? I would like to know the name of the restaurants that did not did this (bringing appetizers)because I think I never found one in Portugal!

Concerning tap water... I would never dream of asking for it in a restaurant. Why not? I really don't know, but all my friends and family do exactly as I do. Maybe I'm stupid and like to pay for water. At home I drink tap water. Water is potable all over the country.