Coperto, service, and tipping

Every Italian restaurant adds a coperto (cover charge) of €1.50 to €4 per person to the bill. It pays for bread, table setup, and the place at the table itself. It is not a tip and not optional — by law it must be printed on the menu. Tipping is genuinely not expected the way it is in the US. Locals round up the bill or leave 5% for exceptional service. Leaving 15-20% feels theatrical to Italian staff, not generous.