How to ask for the bill in Portugal ("A conta, se faz favor")
You finished lunch 40 minutes ago. Plates cleared, coffee done. The bill still hasn't come.
It's not bad service. It's good manners.
Why the bill doesn't come on its own
In Portugal, bringing the bill before you ask would be rushing you. The table is yours for as long as you like. So the bill won't come on its own. You ask.
A conta, se faz favor.
Say it uh KOHN-tuh, s' fahsh fuh-VOR
"The bill, please."
Se faz favor is the everyday "please" in Portugal. You'll also hear por favor, which is fine too.
No words? Use your hands
Catch the waiter's eye and mime writing in the air. Everyone understands it.
In short
- The bill only comes when you ask for it.
- A conta, se faz favor = "The bill, please."
- Or just mime writing in the air.
Save this for your next lunch out. The Café, Menu & Supermarket Decoder has the rest of the restaurant phrases, from ordering to paying.