Big type on purpose — show your phone if saying it feels awkward. Waiters see this every day; nobody is offended.
Weigh it and confirm the price before the grill
The one move that prevents every shock bill. Good places do this without being asked; every place will do it if you ask. Once the fish is grilled, the number is final.
Português
Pode pesar o peixe à nossa frente e confirmar o preço total antes de ir para a grelha?
Español
¿Puede pesar el pescado delante de nosotros y confirmar el precio total antes de ponerlo a la brasa?
English
Could you weigh the fish in front of us and confirm the total before it goes on the grill?
Point at the scale (a balança) if words fail. Asking is completely normal here. Locals check the weight too.
Confirm the total on the scale
After they weigh it, repeat the number back. This is the last chance before the grill.
Português
Pode confirmar o preço total, por favor?
Español
¿Puede confirmar el precio total, por favor?
English
Could you confirm the total price, please?
If they just quoted a number, nod and repeat it. Once it is grilled, the number is final.
Decline the couvert
The bread, olives and pastes that appear unasked are not free — in Portugal you pay per item if you touch them. Sending them back untouched is polite and universal.
Português
Não queremos couvert, obrigado.
Español
No queremos los entrantes / el cubierto, gracias.
English
We don't want the couvert (the bread and starters), thank you.
Say “obrigada” instead of “obrigado” if you identify as female. Want just the bread? “Só o pão, por favor.”
Ask for tap water
Tap water is safe in Portugal and Spain. Restaurants are not obliged to serve it and some will politely refuse and offer bottled — that's their right, not a con.
Português
Um copo de água da torneira, por favor. Pode ser?
Español
Un vaso de agua del grifo, por favor. ¿Se puede?
English
A glass of tap water, please — is that possible?
If they say bottled only, just pick “fresca” (cold) or “natural” (room temperature) and move on.
Is the kitchen still taking orders?
Kitchens close earlier than tourists expect — often 21:30–22:00 outside the strips, 15:00 for lunch. Ask before you sit down and get comfortable.
Português
A cozinha ainda está a aceitar pedidos?
Español
¿La cocina sigue abierta? ¿Todavía se puede pedir?
English
Is the kitchen still taking orders?
In Spain, dinner starts late (21:00+) but lunch kitchens also break mid-afternoon. When in doubt, ask “a que horas fecha a cozinha?” — what time does the kitchen close?