Diner Stunned by Mysterious Extra Charge—What’s Really on the Receipt?

Ever been hit with a baffling extra charge after a meal that leaves you scratching your head—and maybe a little hot under the collar? Well, imagine sitting down for some authentic Italian pizza, paying under €40 for your feast, only to find a mysterious 50-cent fee tacked on for… black pepper. Yep, pepper! The very same spice that’s practically the unofficial mascot of Italian dining worldwide. Is this the start of a slippery slope where next you’ll be charged for breathing the restaurant’s air or just daring to use a fork? Eating abroad has its adventures, from spicy mishaps to menu misreads, but sneaky add-ons on your bill? That’s a whole different kettle of marinara. And if you thought that was outrageous, wait till you hear about the croissant-cutting fee that caused a stir elsewhere in Italy. So, before you tap your card next time, better double-check those charges—because who knows, you might just find a fee for seasoning your food! LEARN MORE

An Italian diner was left furious when spotting the ‘crazy’ extra charge that was added to their bill.

Eating in different countries can come with many challenges, whether it’s being unfamiliar with a new spicy cuisine, or not being able to translate the menu and ordering the wrong thing by mistake.

While some take a more literal approach to insulting the customer, others go down a less direct route, by adding things on to the bill or charging extortionate prices.

You only need to ask visitors to a particular restaurant in Mykonos which charges customers €35 for Coca-Cola or €100 in a service charge to realise that some places are simply out to scam you.

Although a recent visitor to a restaurant in Bari paid less than €40 for his pizza and beers, which frankly isn’t too bad from the home of good pizza, he was less impressed when he realised where 50 cents of that had come from.

It turned out that the restaurant had added that after he’d requested to have some black pepper on his pizza, something famously offered in nearly every Italian restaurant in the world.

What’s next, an additional fee for the cutlery? A charge for using the bathroom? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?

Black pepper for 50 cents in an Italian restaurant might be a crime (Getty Stock)

Well, he was pretty furious with the fee and shared it online, where it split opinion among commenters about whether the city centre spot should be charging extra for black pepper use.

At the end of the day, it was only 42p but it’s a slippery slope. Those of you old enough to remember the days of free bread before your meal will know that.

Meanwhile, another woman was also left furious in Italy after she was charged 10 cents by staff after they cut her croissant in half.

Commenters on her post wrote: “You have to hate your customers to charge them EUR 0.10 to cut a croissant in half. A total lack of elegance, refinement, and empathy.

“They should bring hotel management students to your restaurant to show them how not to treat your customers. Pathetic.”

Another woman was charged for having her croissant cut in half (Newsflash/NX)

And ‘Folletto Vola’ said: “EUR 0.10 what a disgrace… just to cut a croissant!!!”

Owner Massimiliano Viotto claimed that the extra money was to cover the use of an extra plate and napkin and for the “skill” needed to cut a pastry in half.

He said: “It’s not a scam. It is a conscious choice that we defend with pride.”

So, it’s a reminder to always check the bill before you tap your card, as who knows what you might be paying extra for.