Water, please...

No, no law, but it is not usually done and is frowned on. Bottled water is cheap here, compared to France, the UK, or Switzerland, for example. Just buy it.

If you check the search box up above, you can see that this has been addressed many times
here's one link: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/tap-water-in-italy

Ultimately though, just accept that there are cultural differences. On the subject of water, ice is another one.

If you have ever flown on a foreign - non US airline - they don't serve ice with. Same in restaurants generally.

I paid for a glass carafe sparkling water and one still 2.50 Euros each. It will not break the bank. And other countries other customs. I did asked for ice a few times and sometimes got it :) Happy Travels

Although I always simply want tap water, I long ago gave up and I just pay for bottled water at the table when I'm in Europe.

I enjoy sparkling water ("con gas") and always order it with meals. I think that subliminally I feel that I'm getting something extra for my money. But I fill my water bottle with water from the tap at my hotel or other spots as I move around during the day.

ms,

There's no "law" that I know of, but it seems to be the usual custom in Italy to order bottled water. Many years ago I tried to order tap water, but after receiving some disapproving looks I just decided it was easier to "go with the flow". The bottled water is usually well chilled (which I really appreciate after a hot day of touring), and one has a choice of Acqua Naturale or Acqua Gassata (carbonated).

Ordering bottled water also avoids mistakes in translation if ordering in Italian. I recall reading a post on another travel forum from a first time traveller who thought he would try out his Italian language skills and ordered "Acqua di Gabinetto". He really got some strange looks from the waiter (what he was trying to order was "Acqua di Rubinetto").

"When in Rome"......

Thanks, all.

We just asked waiters if they had tap water (some did), and if they said no, then we purchased a bottle. We didn't find any trouble in asking...sorry that you have had a ruder experience!

Yes, the Italians are snobs about tap water, for sure, and you'll rarely be able to get it at a restaurant.

As others said, embrace the culture. You can always carry your own re-useable water and fill it in most cities in the fountains with spigots. My first couple of years going to Italy, I couldn't imagine drinking from one, but have since learned "when in Rome, do as the Roman".

I hear you. Bottled water is NOT always inexpensive. We had a waiter at one restaurant in Verona warn us when we ordered bottled water that it was something like 2 euros for 1/4 liter. But that was definitely the exception. In my mind, paying for bottled water makes up for the fact that you don't tip in Italy. :-)

In France tap water at table is the norm and the locals are all drinking it when Americans are often being upsold a bottle of water; in Italy they pretty much don't serve tap water in restaurants. Occasionally they will bring a little glass with an ice cream sunday in a pricey cafe in Piazza Navona or similar but it is not the norm. The water is fine; it is not the custom. I always get sparkling water in Italy having watched the restaurant I ate at the night before refilling the 'bottled water' at the town pump the next morning in a small town in Tuscany.

Depends on the region. Some places are justifiably proud of their local tap water and will dissuade you from ordering bottled water.

You are right Zoe. In Piedmont, people are very proud of the water. Florence in the contrary had the reputation Of having a horrible javelised water.
Fountain water has always been good in Italy.
In some places you are given filtered tap water whether fizzy or still water in carafe, however you still pay a little something. In fact they put a rather expensive machine that provides filtered still and fizzy water.

We had no problem getting tap water with our meals in Asiago, Italy. Our hotel provided tap water (and hot drinks) as part of our half board arrangements without having to ask.

An alternative when tap (meaning at no charge) water is not provided is to fill your water bottles in your room and bring your own water to dinner. We need to rehydrate and paying 5 EUR for a liter of water is not in our program.

I cannot imagine bringing your own bottle of tap water to the table at a restaurant in Italy. And bottled water is almost never five euros for a liter. And as I mentioned, the money you're saving on the tip can be used to more than cover the cost of bottled water.

The 5 Euro bottles of water were actually in the Saxony mountains of Germany. Beer was as cheap as water but beer is not a rehydration drink. We started to bring our own bottles of tap water down to dinner until our tour director convinced the hotel to provide tap water.

I would never bring water to a restaurant table, and I carry a bottle of water everywhere. My reasoning is, if you bring something to the table that the restaurant sells, you might as well bring your own food.

Perhaps one could hydrate before dinner?

Yes Zoe. This is ... Education.

Edgar,
I do not know what restaurants you go to but I usually pay 2-3 euros for one litre of water, sometime but more in
Trattorie than in restaurants for the price of 1,50 euros.
I would never go to a restaurant charging as much as 5 euros for water.
I would not go with my bottle in a restaurant, and I find this really rude. Drink somewhat before if you do not want to pay for your water. Also you may ask just one glass of water in Italy if you are not so thirsty and usually price is 50-60 euro cents. if you want ice in your water, just ask.
By the way Beer IS a rehydration drink in Germany, and your 5 euros comment should then not have been put on the Italian forum.

In America they don't let you bring your own wine, or they will charge you an outrageous corking fee which can be easily over $20 a bottle. Restaurants are not in the business of serving customers free stuff. Since Restaurants in Italy can only mark up wine 150% over purchase cost instead of the typical 400% or 500% in America, just pay the €2 or €3 a bottle for water and go on with your travels. Italian restaurants have to make money too somehow.

javelised?