Restaurants in this country are starting to charge a surcharge for ‘stolen dishes’: “We need to reach a certain level of income”
Sharing plates is no longer free in Austria. Restaurants are introducing extra charges for additional tableware.
Sharing a main course while requesting extra plates, a practice known as the “stolen dishes,” “thief’s plate,” or “freeloader plate,” can now result in a surcharge of up to eight euros in Austria. The measure has sparked debate among diners and restaurant owners, particularly in the country’s tourist areas.
Ernst Pühringer, president of Salzburg’s Tourism Division and a restaurateur himself, has voiced the sector’s frustration. In his view, the habit has gotten out of hand. Some establishments already charge a specific fee for extra tableware, a practice that became more common after the pandemic.
The issue arises when large groups order fewer main dishes than the number of people seated at the table and then ask for several empty plates to share the food. What customers see as a way to save money represents a loss for restaurants. “You have to reach a level of revenue that makes sense,” Pühringer explains in justifying the surcharges.
Widespread across the country
The practice has spread throughout all Austrian provinces, with more and more restaurants adopting it. In August, Vienna’s gastronomy spokesperson, Peter Dobcak, noted that many customers took full service at low prices for granted.
Prices vary depending on the region and the establishment. In Salzburg, the typical surcharge is around four euros per additional plate. In other cities, the fee is lower. Even so, restaurant owners emphasize that there are exceptions and that not all situations are treated the same way, especially when the total spending justifies the service provided.
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