How to avoid being scammed in restaurants abroad and what are your rights when eating out in the UK?
Hidden charges are the bane of travellers looking to eat out while abroad but this handy guide should help you stop a scam in its tracks
AFTER four Japanese tourists complained of being ripped off in Italy after being charged an eye-watering £965 for a meal in Venice, travellers are now looking for ways to avoid falling foul of restaurants while abroad.
While Italy is notorious for rip off meals, stories of extortionate lunch and dinner bills for relatively modest meals across Europe have repeatedly hit the headlines.
Here’s how to make sure you don’t fall victim…
1. Do your research before you travel
Always try and prepare an itinerary before you head off on your city break. While breakfast is often provided by hotels, having a good idea of suitable lunch and dinner options will help you avoid getting caught out by tourist traps and unexpected charges.
2. Check if there is a “sitting down” charge
Italy often imposes an extra charge for patrons who want to sit down for table service compared to those who don’t mind propping themselves up at the bar.
These hidden charges can add up and catch you by surprise, with the price difference in some tourist areas varying from €2 to €15 for just a cappuccino.
Also check for any hidden extras, like cover charges, or bread and water charges – if you don’t want them, be sure to hand them back to your waiter.
3. Think carefully before ordering fish and cuts of meat
Fresh fish across most of Europe is charged by weight, leaving customers at the mercy of restauranteurs to be honest with the bill making.
The same goes for meat, especially steaks, which are often charged by the 100g.
Always check the small print and remember to ask for a weighing to get an approximate cost before the dish is cooked.
4. Check standard portion sizes to avoid being overcharged
If unexpected extra items arrived with your meal, always question the waiter before you begin eating.
Also if you mention that you will be ordering a dish to share, but the portion coming out to the table looks inexplicably large, it is always worth asking the waiter if it is only one portion.
5. Compare the local language menu to an English version
Often, local menus will match up to their English translated one, but be sure to check thoroughly.
There have been occasions where the service charge is included for those reading the local menu, but not for those reading an English version.
Install Google translate to your mobile device in an effort to by-pass the language barrier.
6. Get an itemised receipt
In most parts of Europe it is illegal not to give patrons an itemised receipt.
Always demand one and check it thoroughly.
Any discrepancies should always be addressed before payment to ensure no crossed wires or rip offs.
7. Always pay in local currency – preferably on a credit card
If you are offered the choice between paying pounds or euros, always opt for euros.
In fact, paying on a credit card is your best bet as it offers protection against dodgy retailers and helps avoid the dreaded exchange rate conversion.
Paying on a credit card also means you are covered for any purchases over £100.
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But what are your rights when eating out in the UK?
According to you have a bevvy of rights and many options if you have a disappointing dining experience here in the UK.
From poor service to booking complaints, there's a solution for almost everything.
1. A restaurant hasn’t kept my booking, can I claim compensation?
If the restaurant doesn't keep your booking, you may be entitled to claim reasonable compensation for its breach of contract to cover any expenses you incurred that served no purpose.
How much you can claim depends on the circumstances and factors involved.
Never over estimate the loss you have suffered, and be careful - restaurants can claim compensation from you too as failing to turn up for bookings can involve a claim for lost profits.
2. Do I have to pay a service charge if the service is poor?
If you go out for a meal and receive particularly poor service, you don’t have to pay the service charge.
Under the Consumer Rights Act it is legally required to use reasonable care and skill when providing its service.
If the restaurant falls below this standard you can refuse to pay some or all of a service charge, depending on how bad the service actually is.
3. I got food poisoning while eating out, can I get my money back?
If you think a restaurant has given you food poisoning, it may have breached food safety standards and you may be able to claim a refund or compensation.
The Consumer Rights Act states that your food should have been produced with reasonable skill and care, be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.
The best course of action would be to write a letter of complaint to the restaurant, stating that you want your money back.
You may need to prove that it was the restaurant in question that caused your food poisoning.
This will be easier if a group of you who ate together all got food poisoning, or the restaurant owns up.
If you want to claim for compensation for the 'pain and suffering' caused by food poisoning this will mean making a personal injury claim, and involves producing medical evidence of your illness.
4. I had poor quality food at a restaurant, should I have paid?
When you book a table in a restaurant, or sit down to eat, you enter a contract with the provider of the service.
Under the Consumer Rights Act you have a right to expect food of satisfactory quality and 'as described' on the menu.
If it is not, the restaurant is in breach of contract and you shouldn't have to pay for it.
You are not entitled to get your whole meal for free if only one dish is below standard, although of course a restaurant may offer this as a goodwill gesture.
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