Copo de agua

GlennJ said:

So I’d been given to understand in my pre-Camino research that one could just ask for a copo de agua (glass of water) which is basically tap water on the house.

Since arriving in Portugal a few days ago, I had no issues with such a request at eating places.

However, today, i was in a restaurant in Matosinhos and (after some struggling with communication and using Google translate) the proprietor told me she was prohibited by law to serve tap water (the waiter had initially brought bottled water in plastic). She however said she’ll make an exception.

So what really is the position on ‘copo de agua’ requests at restaurants? Can anyone help me understand this? I’m on a budget on my Camino and every Euro counts for me throughout this Camino, given the exchange rate from my home currency.

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Carla M. said:

Hi, I live in Lisbon, so I might help clarify the issue

Some years ago the restaurants/bars were in a crisis and become annoyed with people asking for tap water with ice cubes and not consuming anything else, so they started denying it.
As of 2021 there is a law that says that restaurants/bars/cafés have to provide free glasses of tap water to clients. However, if you are not a client, then it is a choice of the establishment to give the free glass of water or not. For non clients there is no law prohibiting it, but there is no law enforcing it either.
Most establishments will give the free glass of water unless they are very busy or are located in a area with many tourists (which can be the case of some places in the Senda Litoral during summer months). Many bars/cafés will even have glasses and a water jar for people to serve themselves. Choose bars/cafés over restaurants

And btw, you are saying it correctly. A "copo de água" usually refers to a glass of water, not a bottle. If you want to reinforce the idea just say "copo de água da torneira"

Bueno Camino!

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GlennJ said:

So I’d been given to understand in my pre-Camino research that one could just ask for a copo de agua (glass of water) which is basically tap water on the house.

Since arriving in Portugal a few days ago, I had no issues with such a request at eating places.

However, today, i was in a restaurant in Matosinhos and (after some struggling with communication and using Google translate) the proprietor told me she was prohibited by law to serve tap water (the waiter had initially brought bottled water in plastic). She however said she’ll make an exception.

So what really is the position on ‘copo de agua’ requests at restaurants? Can anyone help me understand this? I’m on a budget on my Camino and every Euro counts for me throughout this Camino, given the exchange rate from my home currency.

Click to expand...

KariC said:

Copo is a flake; copa is a glass. I don't think that was the source of any confusion or resistance, but couldn't hurt to ask for what you are trying to get!

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