How do I ask for regular water in Italy?

(You can ask for “acqua dal rubinetto,” tap water, but it's often seen as a bit rude. Plus, those glasses of tap water will take ages to get refilled by your waiter, if they're refilled at all!).



In 2026, asking for "regular" (tap) water in an Italian restaurant requires specific phrasing, as the default is almost always bottled water for which you will be charged. To request tap water, you should ask for "acqua del rubinetto" (AH-kwah del roo-bee-NET-toh). If the waiter asks "naturale o frizzante?" (still or sparkling), they are referring to bottled options; you should clarify by saying "Semplice acqua dal rubinetto, per favore" (Simple water from the tap, please). While it is safe to drink, many Italian restaurants are still culturally resistant to serving it for free, often citing the cost of washing the glass or the superior taste of bottled mineral water. To avoid confusion, you can also look for public water fountains known as "nasoni" in cities like Rome, which provide free, cold, high-quality drinking water to fill your own bottle. In 2026, sustainability trends have made asking for tap water slightly more common, but being polite and using the specific "rubinetto" term is still the key to getting what you want.

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Instead of buying bottled mineral water, you can just fill it for free on the street. Interestingly, Italy is full of ancient water fountains. They can be incredibly beautiful, so bring your water bottle and camera! Some public areas have paid refill stations, that serve filtered tap water for 5 to 10 eurocents.

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The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

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If you ask for the tap stuff, some waiters will simply refuse. And this isn't because the restaurant is trying to fleece you or because water from the tap is bad — Italians will drink it at home. Rather, it's because the water in Italy tends to be mineral-rich, making it hard.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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There are also sustainable options when you are in public. Many communes have water refill points which have been used by locals for years! Tuscan towns will typically have a central drinking fountain, usually near the main piazza. These should have a sign with 'potabile' translating to 'drinkable'.

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According to Italian etiquette, you should leave a very tiny amount of food (or no food) on your plate. Leaving food on the plate is considered rude in Italy. Italy has, in fact, developed a culture that places a high value on food and eating.

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In Italy, don't shock your waiter by asking for tap water As Fodors explains, usually, you'll be offered a bottle of still (naturaleor liscia) or sparkling (frizzante or gassata). You might occasionally be offered filtered — but you'll still be expected to pay for it.

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