Restaurant attire
 

For nicest restaurants, how dressed up must we be? For a man, are khakis with a nice shirt and sweater sufficient? Does this change between big cities and smaller towns?

Thank you.

You might even be considered dressed up in khakis. A lot of Portuguese men wear nice jeans to good restaurants. If you are going to a Michelin starred restaurant such a the Vila Joya restaurant or Vila Vita confirm a jacket is not required but then they probably have loaners.

Dressing casual, jeans or khakis, is typical at most restaurants, including Michelin starred. I have yet to encounter any exceptions, but that's not saying there may be one or two in Lisbon or Porto. Shorts are always out of the question for men, but tolerated in some resort locations.

<<Shorts are always out of the question for men>>

You'll see when you arrive that Robert's statement is arrant nonsense. But he's been banging away on that theme in this forum for awhile.

You'll be fine in khakis.

If you wear shorts, then I guess it's also okay to keep your ball cap on when having dinner.

Oh how ugly american can we get..ball caps at dinner!!! And why would any grown man wear shorts out to dinner in a nice restaurant?? Maybe in a casual place in the islands or at a beach bar but respect the occasion and don't add to the bad rep No.Amer. tourists have overseas!! Please!!!

Of course, most of the shorts and the most raggedy fashions you'll see are on the locals . . . but that's ok, it's always the Americans who are "ugly."

I try hard not to be an ugly American -- and yes, that often means I'm over-dressed by local standards. But I was asking about nicer restaurants (possibly Michelin-starred), so no ball caps, no shorts. It sounds like I'll be fine. Although, FWIW, as it will likely be raining off and on while I'm there, I'll probably wear a ball cap under my rain jacket's hood, and leave the nicer Panama hat at home.

You'll find that most locals use an umbrella when it rains, unlike most Americans. Your hotels should have them available for your use at the front entry.

<<. You'll find that most locals use an umbrella when it rains, unlike most Americans. >>

What??? Most Americans that I know and see on the streets of NYC use an umbrella! Sure, some people think it is macho to go without an umbrella but you will not find those people in business attire for work purposes.

I take it you've never been to the northwest, where 'bumbershoot' is a fiesta.

Always funny to read that shorts ar a non/no in Europe. Here in the Netherlands when it is hot, alsmost every man wears shorts. Even to most restaurants. In the real nice and expensive restaurants long pants (jeans and kahkis and such) are indeed common.

Men and umbrellas are definitely a geographic thing in the US I have found.

As to shorts being worn in Europe...what a joke that people think Europeans don't wear shorts of some sort.

Ballcaps? I've always thought ANY head covering on a man in a restaurant particularly is inappropriate but that's how i was raised. And if you think some Europeans aren't now wearing ballcaps, think again.

Ball caps and shorts in restaurants! Forget proper etiquette, sitting next to some slug with boney, hairy legs doesn't do much for my appetite, and certainly not when I’m paying dearly for my meal.

As far as ball caps are concerned, unless you’re playing baseball, put it away. Who cares if you head reflects the light. That's why they make sunglasses.

There is a lot of good info here under all the snark.

1. Don't wear shorts out to dinner except at the seashore. Shorts are fine anywhere else that it s warm enough except churches.

2. Men in New York and men in Europe are likely to use umbrellas ( possibly related to social class ) not so much I outside the northeastern US where most people get around by car.

3. One does see Americans at home wearing baseball caps in restaurants. Except in sports bars, I think the staff spit in their food before they bring it out to show their contempt. I would leave any clothing with a logo at home -- baseball hat, golf shirt, etc. though one sees all kinds of sports team shirts on yobs.

I do sometimes wear a black baseball cap with " CIA" on it just get the reaction of the locals, but it's from the Culinary Institute of America. Real CIA caps say something else.

4. The OP has sound instincts.

So in 35oc heat all men wear trousers in Southern Europe?

Utter crap.

Believe me, whatever you wear, your inability to speak quietly will easily identify you as American.

Other than Michelin star restaurants, no restaurants will give a damn what you wear within reason. Speedos obviously not but shorts are not a problem. I have spent 44 years visiting Southern Europe in summer, over 100 trips. never taken trousers just smart shorts.

I don't know about the nicest restaurants or the Michelin starred ones. But I do know that when my husband and I went out to dinner in Portugal (not at the beach but in a country village) we met our Portuguese friends there, people we met because one is a Fodor's poster. I took a picture of my husband and the Portuguese friend because they were wearing exactly the same clothes in exactly the same colors: shorts and a polo shirt. Small world.

No logos now. Yikes - all those trips with logos. Who knew?

Well, thanks for the responses -- the entertaining as well as the informative (honestly, not trying to get the trolls going). We're taking off tomorrow morning, and when I return I will post my thoughts on my attire question as well as other issues that are often brought up in this forum.

I have just come back from a day trip to Northern Spain.
The restaurant I chose to eat in was only populated by Portuguese, except for the wife and I. Dress code was everything goes. Labels, English on Tshirts, Jacket and tie dresses or shirts or jeans. There was no fashion police on the door to stop you entering. Relax and enjoy the food.