Songdoc

Is it inappropriate to ask for tap water in inexpensive to moderately priced restaurants in Rome? I understand that bottled water can be quite expensive (and I don't drink wine or sodas). It's not that I can't afford a bottle of water -- but in the US I feel perfectly comfortable just drinking the tap water that is routinely served. Thanks.

elaine

go ahead
by the way, it is unlikely to be cold or iced

Eloise

As has been pointed out on another thread on "restaurant etiquette" in Italy, a polite request will get you whatever you like in an Italian restaurant, a) because Italians are kind-hearted people, and b) because waiters in Italy tend to be professional waiters rather than out-of-work actors or would-be models.

I understand that you feel perfectly comfortable drinking the tap water that is routinely served in the U.S. Tap water is not routinely served in Italy.

So if you can afford it, why not go with the custom of the country? You can ask for "acqua gassata" (fizzy; most often naturally fizzy rather than carbonated) or "acqua naturale" (non-fizzy).

TopMan

I understand your concern but I don't agree about the bottled water being (routinely) "expensive." In my experience the cost may depend on which kind of bottled water you get.

Sometimes you can get those big, more or less no label, bottles of water relatively inexpensively.

Rome is one city which boasts that not only its tap water but also the water which springs from every fountain, big and small, is fit to drink.

EmilyC

When I'm travelling, I always stick with bottled water. Even though the quality of the "Roman" water may be fine, you may experience some GI effects because of differences in the water from your local city.Why risk a problem?

nytraveler

Elaine is correct - they will be happy to give you tap water and it will not make you ill - but it will be room temperature and there will be no ice - do you really want to drink it that way?