I'm not sure this is the right place for this but it seemed so: I'm going to Italy, first time. I have read that restaurants? or cafes? charge much more if you sit at a table? I am confused. Where does one eat if not at a table? Can someone tell me what I am missing here. And if I need to be educated, please please feel free. Grateful for any info.

There are two things you might be thinking of.

First, at cafes and bars in France as well as Italy, things like coffee, a glass of wine or a pastry are often priced differently if you are standing at the bar, sitting at an inside table, or sitting on the terrace. The difference can be significant, and the locals will generally be the folks standing at the bar.

Second, at restaurants in Italy, there's almost always a cover charge ("coperto" I belive, but my Italian is weak) added to the bill. It's like the cover charge in a nightclub in the US. That one's unavoidable, but it's rarely a lot.

If you grab a coffee and pastry for example and walk away you will pay less then if you sit at a table and have table service. You are sort of paying for the services you get, the waiter, dishes, etc.

You often have to figure out how much you are willing to spend to have that seat at a table, versus sitting in a square or something enjoying that sandwich.

In Venice, the seated rate includes service to the table. The rate is usually twice the standup rate.

I don't think there is a cover charge in these bars.

Not only is there a difference in price between the price "at the bar" and the price "at the table" (often the price difference is as much as double for sitting down) but in addition there is usually a service charge added (10-18%) and sometimes a "tablecloth" or "napkin" charge. When you sit "at the table" the server takes your order and you usually pay the server directly. If you order from the bar and try to sit down the server who controls that section will ask you to leave as you are taking up space for his paying customers. This will happen even if there is not a single person sitting down. You might find this annoying at first but if you realize that this is how the server makes his/her living then you will understand that you really are entering a different place/restaurant when you sit down in the server's section. The best way to think of it is as two separate places, that are sharing one kitchen. One with a places to stand - or take out food and drink and the other as a full service restaurant.

As was mentioned in a previous post this is at places like cafes also called "bars". Places where you can only sit down- restaurants or trattorias will have the tablecloth/ napkin fee and the service added. If the service is not added you will told on the menu- or by the server. ( Note: restaurants almost always are more expensive with high add ons than trattorias- I have even been at some trattorias with no "coperto" or table cloth fees- but then they did not have any table cloths on the tables and the napkins were paper.)

Sometimes though you will have a caffe/ bar with small uncovered tables, inside and another area or room with covered tables ( and servers standing by). If you order directly from the "bar" you might be able to sit at the uncovered tables for no extra charge. Ask the person at the bar who takes your order if you can sit at the small bar tables for the "a bar" price. Sometimes the person at the bar will take your order bring it to the bar tables - for no extra charge. Had this happen at some places in Rome during the day. I don't know if this will happen at night during dinner hour.

Enjoy your trip to Italy! Was there not too long ago and miss it already. The food, the wine, the history, the art, the people ..the food...time for dinner