Vienna, do they add a charge for the bread or is it complimentary?

In Austria bread is extra. They won't bring it to the table unless you request it.

Table linens too at dinner.

How much are you saving by declining the bread if there is a charge?

I can't remember how much we saved be declining the bread in Greece. It was in 2013 maybe? It probably wasn't more than a few bucks....but that could pay for dessert! We decided there was no sense in paying for something only one of us could eat and it wasn't very good bread anyway.

If the restaurant charges "Couvert" (approx. €2 to €4 per guest) then the bread is included.

In any case you can ask for gluten-free bread or rolls.

If there is white table cloth or not depends solely on the style and/or the level of the restaurant. Some restaurants have a trendy interior and abstain deliberately from table cloths, some have separate sections with and without it.

Some restaurants, not many, will put a bread basket on the table. If you don’t touch it, no charge. Honestly, I have only seen this at very touristy places.

In some cases the waiter will even ask you how many pieces of bread you have consumed when adding up your bill.

the waiter will even ask you how many pieces of bread you have consumed when adding up your bill.

If the bread is not incuded, that is the standard procedure.

We stopped at a restaurant that charged for water and for each roll (1 euro). It also wasn't a good roll. It wasn't it a "touristy" area, and I wondered if they had different charges for locals vs. tourists.

My experience in Vienna is that the little bread basket with a roll, catsup and mayo and a pretzel was brought to me without my saying anything prior. But it also depends on the particular restaurant, I've been in restaurants that don't do this.

The contents of the little basket are not free, you use the mayo, that will cost 95 cents. The waiter/waitress sees the roll missing, you will be charged.

Thank you for the replies. Good to know!