Is it true that in the Azores restaurants bring starters you didn’t order… and you still have to pay for them?

If you sit down at a restaurant in the Azores, chances are the waiter will bring a small plate of starters before you even order anything. Usually it’s things like bread, local cheese, Azorean butter, fresh cheese with pimenta da terra, olives, or sometimes a bit of jam.

Here’s the important part. These starters are not free. If you eat them, they will appear on the bill.

But don’t worry, this isn’t a tourist trap. It’s actually a very common tradition across Portugal, not just in the Azores. And you’re absolutely free to say no. If you don’t want them, just send them back. It’s not rude at all. Locals do it all the time.

Think of it more like an optional warm-up before the meal. If you eat it, you pay for it. If you don’t touch it, it won’t be charged.