I have often had tourists tell me they were ripped off at a restaurant in Spain. "Such-and-such bar added extra items to what we had to pay" or "We knew exactly how much we were supposed to pay, but they charged us way too much". Due to a lack of Spanish skills, most will pay and grumble about it afterwards.

I can assure you that I have never had this happen to me in ten years of visiting Spain. At least, never without a good explanation. No bar will blatantly scam a tourist, though they may have other more subtle ways of getting a little extra from you.

I should stress that the vast majority of bars are entirely honest about how they charge their patrons. The problems highlighted below only happen in very few unscrupulous bars. But it pays to be aware.

See also: How to Spot a Good Restaurant in Spain

1. Ask for the menu del dia

The menu del dia, almost exclusively found at lunch time (and only on weekdays) is a special deal where you get a full meal for a much better price than from the main menu (Note: Spanish for 'menu' is "la carta" - the Spanish word 'menu' means 'set meal').

The menu del dia will always be on display, but you may miss it. The waiter will usually give you that menu first - but if in doubt, ask.

2. Are Bread, Drinks and Dessert included?

The menu del dia always includes a 'primer plato' and 'segundo planto' (first and second course - broadly similar to a 'starter' and 'main course' but not quite the same. And it will usually include all of these: bread (pan), a drink (bebida) and a dessert (postre) - but not always. Check on the menu before you order. If in doubt, ask "¿Esta incluido?" ("Is it included?" "¿Es-TA in-clue-EE-do?").

Alicante is one place where the trick of charging for bread is becoming a frequent trick (and it's not even nice bread), though this was more a problem with tapas and for food ordered off the main menu.

For those of you who insist on tipping in Spain (you really shouldn't - read here: Tipping in Spain), a good punishment when they charge for bread is to consider that their tip. In Alicante last week I wrote "tu propina" (your tip) next to the bread charge when I left (not that I would have tipped anyway!)

3. The IVA Scam

IVA is Spanish for value added tax. Usually it is included in the price, but sometimes it isn't. Look out for the phrase "IVA no incluido" (be sure the 'NO' is there, many bars will actually be informing you that it is included). If you do see IVA is not included, avoid the bar altogether. Read more here: The "+IVA" Restaurant Scam in Spain.

4. Choose Where You Sit Wisely

Spanish restaurants often have two, sometimes three pricings. There'll be a bar price, a price to sit in the main restaurant "salon" and a third price to sit outside "terrasa". It's nice to sit outside and the surcharge isn't much, but just don't be surprised if your bill is a little higher as a result.