Venice restaurant investigated for ripping off tourists
The mayor of Venice has promised to investigate an incident where a group of Japanese tourists were charged almost £1,000 for four steaks Florentine, a plate of mixed grilled fish, two glasses of wine and mineral water.
Local media claims the Osteria da Luca restaurant near St Mark’s Square faces fines of at least £17,400 after police and local authority checks found breaches of health and safety and food hygiene regulations, in addition to commercial code infringements including issues over the accurate description of goods.
"Together, the infringements – not all of which have yet been formally notified – produce total fines running into tens of thousands of euros," said La Nuova Venezia newspaper.
The restaurant will also be questioned by financial crime investigators over its failure to issue the group with a full receipt itemising their meal.
The four Japanese men filed a formal complaint with police after their return to Bologna, where they are studying Italian cuisine. They provided as evidence the credit card slip, which was the only proof of what they’d been charged.
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, promised on Twitter that the city authorities would ‘thoroughly examine this shameful episode’ and if it was confirmed, ‘do all we can to punish those responsible. We are for justice, always!’
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026