A frustrated diner has slammed a high-end Australian restaurant as an “utter disgrace” after they were unknowingly slugged with a $71 service fee on top of their $1420 bill.
Claire O’Donnell said she was not made aware of the service charge when dining at Rockpool Bar and Grill at Crown Perth for lunch on Saturday until she checked her receipt.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Iconic Sydney restaurant stuns diners after charging $68 for pasta.
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The foodie said the group of six’s lunch was “lovely” but she was outraged to discover the $71 charge on top of the $1420 bill.
“The service was fabulous. No complaints about the food and the sides were easily the best we’ve had in ages,” she wrote in a Perth restaurant rating group on social media.
“However, being charged a $71 service fee when we went to pay was a shock and an utter disgrace.”
O’Donnell said the company’s later told her the charge had been introduced during COVID and was noted on the menu and venue’s website.
“10 per cent discretionary service charge applies to all groups of 10 plus, 15 per cent on public holidays, 5 per cent service fee applies Monday to Saturday,” the website states.
Unfortunately for O’Donnell, her group did not notice the charge on the menu until they left and later checked the website.
“People should know places like this are charging you on top of their massive prices to serve you. We presumed service came with a meal not as a side,” she said.
The charge did not cover tipping which was an additional option, she added.
Many foodies were quick to support the diner online, blasting the restaurant’s charge as “ridiculous” and “absolutely disgraceful”.
“OMG, that’s extortion… thanks for letting us know,” one person said.
“The prices in general contain a premium which should reflect, among other things, the quality of service. Adding on an extra service charge is sneaky,” another added.
And O’Donnell agreed, admitting the experience had put her off returning to the venue and she wanted others to be aware.
“We won’t be back sadly not because of the food or service but because that fee is a joke,” she said.
Rockpool Bar and Grill also boats a prestige dining location in Melbourne and Sydney.
A company spokesperson said service charges are commonplace across the Australian hospitality industry to cover various costs incurred by businesses, including penalty rate wages and higher operating costs.
“As the costs of doing business rise, restaurants are increasingly passing on these costs — regretfully so,” they told 7NEWS.com.au.
“We are fully transparent about service charges, which are noted on our website, menus, and receipts.”
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