A reader shared a surprising experience after going out to dine with friends, only to discover an unusual charge on the bill. The situation took an unexpected turn at the end of their meal, during dessert.
They ordered a single serving of pancakes to share, since after the main course they only wanted a small bite of something sweet.
They didn’t think much of it, as it seemed completely normal for two people to split one portion, especially when it came to dessert.
The real shock came later at home, when they examined the receipt more carefully and noticed an extra fee for having the pancakes served in two separate plates.
The bill included a 300 forint charge labeled as a “plate splitting” fee. Initially, they were pleased to see their drink hadn’t been charged, but upon spotting this additional cost, they were quite puzzled.
Later, a friend mentioned they had seen this fee listed on the menu but didn’t consider it significant enough to bring up at the time.
This raised the question: what if they had simply requested an extra empty plate? Would they have been charged for that as well?
The incident caught the attention of journalists, who decided to investigate on their own.
They visited the same restaurant incognito and placed a similar order: a portion of fish soup served with two bowls, and a pancake divided between two plates.
When they received the bill, there it was again — the 300 forint “plate splitting” fee, exactly as the original reader had reported.
The restaurant manager willingly answered the reporters’ questions and explained why this charge appears on the bill.
According to him, the fee was introduced two years ago, inspired by another dining establishment.
The reason stems from a growing number of customers asking for their dishes to be split between two people.
While it sounds like a simple request, in reality it means serving nearly two full portions, each with its own sauces and garnishes.
Additionally, the waitstaff have double the work when it comes to plating the food separately. The manager said the 300 forint charge is mostly symbolic and covers only part of the extra effort.
He added that due to rising ingredient and energy costs, the restaurant plans a general 10% price increase soon, but the plate splitting fee will remain in place.
He emphasized that this practice isn’t unique — many restaurants apply similar fees, especially when a single portion is shared.
A well-known industry representative also commented on the matter. He explained that it’s common for eateries to impose a “cover charge” in such situations.
This fee helps offset the cost of extra tableware — two plates, two sets of cutlery, more napkins — as well as the fact that two guests are occupying space that could otherwise serve two full-paying customers.
According to him, restaurants are currently facing tough conditions with steadily rising operating costs, so every small charge counts toward staying afloat.
The episode highlights how even an ordinary dinner can involve surprises, especially if diners don’t carefully read the fine print on the menu.
Although it might seem odd to pay extra for sharing a dessert, from the restaurant’s perspective, there are practical and financial reasons behind the charge.
The takeaway is clear: it’s wise to ask about such details before ordering, particularly when planning to eat dishes in an unconventional way. This way, unexpected fees won’t spoil the overall dining experience.