A growing number of restaurants have started charging hundreds of dollars for diners who fail to show for reservations.
Popular restaurants across Melbourne have taken to holding credit card information as security, and some have even listed repeat offenders on a one-year national ban list.
More than 38,000 people have been placed on the ban list as restaurants fork the bill for extra staff hired and food ordered.
A growing number of restaurants have started charging hundreds of dollars for diners who fail to show for reservations
While some eateries charge a modest $20 per person, such as Chin Chin in Melbourne and Sydney, others charge up to $300 for groups.
Award-winning restaurant Attica charges diners $275 per person for failing to arrive for bookings unless 48 hours notice is given.
The cost is the same as booking a reservation for the restaurant’s extended tasting menu.
Owner of Middle Eastern restaurant Maha, Shane Delia, told the Herald Sun his $85 no-show fee is meant to act as a ‘deterrent’.
‘It’s not to hold them to ransom, it’s to make them aware you are committing, you have made a booking, you have signed up, you are in,’ he said.
‘Our cancellation policy isn’t there as a cancellation policy, it’s more of a deterrent for people who don’t show up.
Award-winning restaurant Attica charges diners $275 per person for failing to arrive for bookings unless 48 hours notice is given
Restaurants are allowed to charge cancellation fees but must inform diners of their policy, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria
‘There are cancellation fees when you see a doctor or at your personal trainer if you don’t show up.’
Diners continue to stand up restaurant bookings despite text, email and phone confirmations.
Mr Delia said restaurants just ask for a courtesy call to be able to pass the reservation on to someone else on the waiting list.
Restaurants are allowed to charge cancellation fees but must inform diners of their policy, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria.