Chefs and Servers Reveal The 10 Biggest Rip-offs in Restaurants That You Might Want to Skip

Eating out is one of life’s simple pleasures. You get to relax, let someone else do the cooking, and enjoy a meal that (hopefully) exceeds your at-home efforts. But while the ambiance and service might be worth the splurge, there are some sneaky rip-offs that restaurant-goers encounter more often than they realize. From overpriced sides to dubious drink deals, these are the 10 biggest restaurant rip-offs that make even seasoned diners roll their eyes.

1. The Mark-Up on Alcohol

It’s no secret that restaurants make a significant chunk of their profits from alcohol, but the mark-up on wine and cocktails is where things get especially cheeky. That $12 cocktail you’re sipping? It probably cost the bar less than $3 to make. And that $15 glass of wine? The bottle might only be worth $10 wholesale. While we understand the need for a little extra profit, these sky-high prices often feel like a sobering reality check at the end of an otherwise delightful meal.

2. Bottled Water

When a server asks, “Would you like still or sparkling?” you might feel a little fancy opting for bottled water. But beware: the price tag on that fancy H2O is often more than you’d expect. Restaurants charge a premium for bottled water, sometimes marking it up to five times its retail price. What’s worse? The tap water you could’ve had for free is often just as good, if not better, than the overpriced bottle you just agreed to pay for.

3. Side Salads

There’s something inherently disappointing about a side salad. It’s usually nothing more than a few leaves of iceberg lettuce, a sad tomato wedge, and maybe a cucumber or two—yet it’s priced as if you’re getting a three-course meal. Often costing more than a burger side upgrade, the side salad is one of the biggest rip-offs in the restaurant world. You’re paying for greens, but what you’re really getting is a masterclass in overpricing.

4. “Market Price” Seafood

You’ve probably seen it on the menu: "Market Price" next to a tempting seafood dish like lobster or fresh fish. It sounds reasonable enough—after all, prices fluctuate. But this vague label is often a way to mask hefty price tags. Some diners end up with a bill shock when their seafood entrée costs double what they anticipated. If you’re going to splurge on seafood, it’s worth asking for the price upfront. No one likes the feeling of being baited into spending more than they planned.

5. Bread and Butter Charges

You sit down at the table, and the first thing you spot is that glorious basket of bread and butter. Perfect for snacking while you decide on your main course, right? Not always. Some restaurants have started charging for what used to be complimentary, sometimes sneakily adding it to the bill without mentioning it. It’s a small charge, sure, but paying for something that once came free feels like a betrayal. Bread might be the staff of life, but it shouldn’t come with hidden fees.

6. Appetizers Designed to Upsell

Appetizers are meant to be a light starter before the main event, but many restaurants treat them as an opportunity to upsell diners on pricey small plates. What you think is a modest starter can easily set you back the price of a full entrée, without delivering anywhere near the same satisfaction. Truffle fries, anyone? Sure, they’re tasty, but when they’re priced higher than the steak, it starts to feel like a fry farce.

7. Extra Guacamole

Guacamole is delicious, no argument there. But the extra charge for adding guac to your dish can be a bit hard to swallow. In many restaurants, the additional cost of guacamole is disproportionately high—sometimes rivaling the cost of the entire meal. Sure, avocados aren’t cheap, but when you realize you’re paying several dollars for a small dollop, it becomes clear that this is one of the most outrageous add-ons in the restaurant game.

8. Brunch Drinks

Ah, brunch—the most Instagrammable of meals. But it’s also a prime time for restaurants to gouge diners with overpriced drinks. That $10 mimosa? It’s mostly orange juice, with just a splash of low-cost sparkling wine. The same goes for Bloody Marys, which are often light on the vodka but heavy on the price. If you’re brunching on a budget, it might be worth skipping the fancy drinks and sticking to coffee—after all, nobody’s ever been ripped off by a $2 Americano.

9. Cheese and Protein Upgrades

You want to add a slice of cheese to your burger or an extra chicken breast to your salad—simple enough, right? Well, not when restaurants charge you a hefty fee for what should be a minor upgrade. A single slice of cheese could cost you a few dollars, and protein additions like grilled chicken or shrimp can send the price of your salad skyrocketing. What seems like a simple request often turns into an unexpected splurge.

10. “Deconstructed” Dishes

Deconstructed dishes have become trendy in recent years, but they’re often a clever way for restaurants to charge more while giving you less. When your dessert arrives as a scattering of crumbs and a dollop of cream, it might look artistic, but it often feels like you’ve been shortchanged. After all, if you’re paying for a slice of pie, you want the whole thing—not its separate ingredients presented on the plate like an avant-garde art installation.