Barcelona Local Custom Tips by rsilva

Restaurant behaviour Food / Drink Review

Lunch and dinner in Spain usually starts later that in the rest of Europe.
Most people will have lunch from 14.00 to 16.00 and dinner from 21.00 to 23.30.

One thing that we noticed is that you are usually rushed in the restaurant.
Most of the time the waiter will come and take your order just a minute after you receive the menu, then if you order appetizers and main courses often you get one before finishing the other.
Then you are rushed into ordering desert and/or coffee... and you might or not be given the bill.
After that, however, the waiter will leave you alone for as long as you want. Often you would see people just talking after the desserts for more than an hour... strange.

Restaurant prices Tipping / Money Matters Review

Unlike many other places in Europe, in Barcelona most restaurants do not state the prices including the VAT. The menu must clearly say if it is included or not (most of the times it is not).
Look for something like "7% IVA no incluído". Sometimes there is also a service or cover charge (generally expressed as a charge for bread in the menu).