Rockpool Bar and Grill in Perth’s Crown Casino slammed for forcing customers to tip
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An unhappy diner lashes out after discovering a mysterious $71 fee in his tab at one of Australia’s most exclusive restaurants
- Rockpool Bar and Grill criticized for service fee included in the bill
- The fee is 5 percent every day for reservations of less than eight people.
- The fee increases to 10 percent for reservations of more than eight
One of Australia’s most famous high-end restaurants has come under fire for a fee that requires customers to tip.
Client Claire O’Donnell was surprised by a “service fee” that accounted for $71.01 of her $1491.01 bill after dining at Rockpool Bar and Grill at Perth’s Crown Casino on February 18.
While Ms O’Donnell admitted that the service, food and sommelier were excellent, she would “in principle” not return to the restaurant.
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 percent fee that increases to 10 percent for tables of more than eight, and even 15 percent on holidays.
The restaurant notifies customers of its service fees at the bottom of its menus.
Rockpool Bar and Dining crashed online after a customer at its Perth establishment was charged $71 of his $1491.01 bill for a service fee
Ms. O’Donnell said she hasn’t found the fare at any other high-end restaurant like Wildflower, Balthazar and Nobu.
He took to the Perth Foodies Facebook group to discuss the fee, writing that staff told him the measure had been put in place during Covid.
One member stated that he was charged a $449 service charge on a nearly $5000 meal.
Other members were also furious about the fee.
“This business is about to take a hit, people will not accept hidden charges,” wrote one member.
“I won’t be going back there, that’s for sure,” said a second member.
“I have a reservation next month, I’ll cancel now,” a third commented.
However, others responded to the disgruntled restaurant by saying he was overeating.
A spokesman for the high-end restaurant said the fee helps cover costs such as penalty wages and increased operating costs.
“We just booked to dine there and the email clearly states a 5 percent service fee Monday-Sunday…$71 is a fair tip, hands down,” one wrote.
“I mean the online menu says a 5 percent surcharge Monday through Sunday,” said another.
A Rockpool spokesperson said western australia that service charges are becoming more common 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, unfortunately,” the spokesperson said.
“We are fully transparent about service charges, which are listed on our website, menus, and receipts.”