Getting water for free at a European restaurant is actually possible. All you have to do is just ask for tap water instead of bottled water. But be wary, this isn’t proper restaurant etiquette, nor is it always the safest idea. Restaurant tap water supplies in the United States are always evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration (per EPOS News) to ensure patrons can safely consume them, however, in many European countries, there’s no such regulation, according to CNN Traveler. It isn’t just that Europeans don’t like the taste of tap water, restaurants in many countries also don’t even have the luxury to serve it.
If you’re planning to ask for tap water at a restaurant, make sure you’re in a country that regulates it. A reliable indicator is the presence of public water fountains, like in Germany, Italy, and Belgium.