Italian Restaurant Charges $2.20 for an Extra Plate
At the quaint Italian restaurant, Osteria del Cavolo, diners couldn’t believe that they were charged $2.20 for an empty plate. And it wasn’t even to split a meal; their daughter simply wanted a small plate to try the mother’s pasta.
Source: Olivier Bucheli/Google
Their story went viral, and in response, Ida Germano, the restaurant owner, told the Times that she stood by the charge as cleaning another plate means “more work” for her staff.
A Couple on Holiday in Italy Spends $1.65 to Use a Teaspoon
But this restaurant isn’t the only culprit of hidden fees. At another Italian eatery, a couple on vacation was charged $1.65 when they requested a second teaspoon to share their dessert.
Source: Broadsheet
Though the pizzeria outside of Alba where the teaspoon charge occurred hasn’t responded, the internet has responded in complete shock, agreeing with the couple that the charge was absolutely ludicrous.
Splitting a Dish Costs an Extra $2.40 at Another Italian Restaurant
Lake Como is certainly known for its luxurious hotels and fine dining experiences. But while people expect slightly higher prices, customers were baffled when they were charged after asking staff at Bar Pace to cut their sandwich in half.
Source: Newsflash
On the bill, they saw ‘diviso a meta,’ which in English means ‘divided in half’ which added €2 ($2.40) to their total.
Italy’s Not the Only Country Gauging Summer Tourists
Although Italy is definitely in the hot seat right now, it’s not the only country that seems to be upping its prices and adding hidden charges.
Source: Schengen Visa
Countries around Europe are capitalizing on summer tourists. If you’re headed to Europe soon, you may want to avoid restaurants in especially touristy areas, such as in main squares or in front of popular churches.