Disgruntled diner lashes out after discovering a mystery $71 fee on her bill at one of Australia’s most exclusive restaurants
- Rockpool Bar and Grill slammed for service fee included in bill
- Fee is 5 per cent every day for bookings of under eight people
- The fee increases to 10 per cent for bookings larger than eight
One of Australia’s most famous high-end restaurants has been slammed for a fee that forces customers to tip.
Customer Claire O’Donnell was shocked by a ‘service fee’ that made up $71.01 of her $1491.01 bill after dining at Rockpool Bar and Grill in Perth‘s Crown Casino on February 18.
While Ms O’Donnell conceded that the service, food and sommelier were brilliant, she would not be returning to the restaurant ‘in principle’.
Rockpool, was opened in Sydney in 1989 by celebrity chef Neil Perry and has since expanded to Melbourne and Perth.
All three establishments include a five per cent fee that increases to 10 percent for tables of more than eight, and even further to 15 per cent on public holidays.
The restaurant notify customers of their service fees at the bottom of their menus.
Rockpool Bar and Dining have been slammed online after a customer at their Perth establishment was charged $71 of their $1491.01 bill for a service fee
Ms O’Donnell said she hasn’t encountered the fee at any other high-end restaurants such as Wildflower, Balthazar and Nobu.
She took to the Perth Foodies Facebook group to discuss the fee, writing that staff told her that the measure had been brought in during Covid.
One member stated that she had been charged a $449 service charge on a nearly $5000 meal.
Other members were also furious at the fee.
‘This business is about to get a rude shock, people won’t put up with hidden charges,’ one member wrote.
‘Won’t be going back there, that’s for sure,’ a second member said.
‘I’ve got a booking next month, I’ll be cancelling it now,’ a third commented.
However, others hit back at the disgruntled diner saying she is overeating.
A spokesperson for the high-end restaurant said the fee helps cover costs such as penalty wages and increased running costs
‘We’ve just booked for dinner there and the email clearly states a 5 per cent service fee Monday to Sunday… $71 is a fair tip surely,’ one wrote.
‘I mean the online menu says 5 per cent surcharge Monday to Sunday,’ another said.
A spokesperson for Rockpool told The West Australian that service charges are becoming more commonplace within the Australian hospitality industry and help cover costs such as penalty wages and increased running costs.
‘As the costs of doing business rise, restaurants are increasingly passing on these costs — regretfully so,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We are fully transparent about service charges, which are noted on our website, menus, and receipts.’
