Coperto decoder
Italian restaurants charge a coperto (cover charge) per person. Pick the meal context and the tool returns the typical band and whether the menu-vs-bar price gap applies.
What this solves
Coperto is a per-person cover charge that is legal in Italy and must be listed on the menu. In Venice, the typical band is €2-€5 per person. Tourists routinely miss it in the small print. A "menu" at the table costs more than the same dish at the banco (counter). This tool returns the typical coperto, the menu premium, and what to budget for the meal.
How to read the result
"Coperto per person" is the cover charge in your seating context. Banco seating often has no coperto, or a smaller one (€1-€2). Sala seating adds the standard €3-€5. Terrazza seating usually adds €2-€4 to the sala band. The "menu-vs-bar" gap is the price difference between the same dish at the counter vs the table — it is the single biggest hidden cost.
Service (servizio) is separate from coperto and is sometimes added (rarely in Venice). It is a flat 10-15% for table service. If both coperto and servizio appear on the bill, you are paying for both.
Limitations
FAQ
Is it a tip?
No. Coperto is a legal per-person charge that covers bread, table setup, and the staff's time. Tip separately if the service was excellent (5-10%).
Why is the menu more expensive than the bar?
Table service means a waiter takes your order, brings the food, and clears the table. The price differential covers that staff time. Same dish at the counter saves €3-€10.
Does coperto apply at the bar for an espresso?
No. Coperto applies to seated table service. Standing at the banco (counter) for an espresso: no coperto.