Amid skyrocketing prices across Italy, tourists' discomfort with the cost of food in their most visited destinations has become evident. Florença, restaurant owners report daily incidents of visitors trying to avoid high prices with unusual practices, such as sharing dishes between large groups and refusing to charge the covered (fee charged to cover the cost of items such as tablecloths, cutlery, dishes and general table service).
"Thirty people came into the restaurant. None of them ordered a single dish. They shared everything," said Ugo Lorenzo Portaccio, owner of Totò restaurant, near Ponte Vecchio. "Others just asked for olive oil to make bruschetta with the bread from the table. Some even brought a bottle of water from home. And many simply refused to pay the coperto. They said, 'I'll go without the bread, but I won't pay.'"
A reaction to rising prices
With simple dishes costing around 20 euros, tourists are looking for ways to save money, even if it goes against local customs.
Among the most uncomfortable requests is the "200-gram Florentine steak, well-done." For Tuscan chefs, accustomed to serving thick, rare cuts, it sounds like a "gastronomic contradiction."
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LEARN MORE"It's a change in profile. Many tourists just want to spend less. They're not interested in culture or tradition," criticized Davide Risoluti, owner of Vineria del Re in Piazza della Repubblica. "Some people come in, ask for tap water, and complain about paying for it. That's not quality tourism. It's just a passing through. And Florence isn't made for that."
Identity crisis in the tourist experience
Dissatisfaction isn't limited to restaurant dining rooms. "They sit anywhere, even on the floor. They clog the trash cans, leave a mess, and don't consume anything," reported Risoluti, who sees a loss of cultural value in current tourism. "Before, Americans came, were polite, curious, and consumed. Now, most just want to save money. And the downtown area is crowded with no return for the city."
According to restaurant owners, the pressure to maintain financial stability is growing. In August, considered peak season, many reservations remain vacant. The fear is that the intense flow of visitors will not offset the high operating costs, taxes, and regulatory requirements facing the industry.
The debate gained even more momentum after a recent “scontrino case”, in which a local government official was criticized after releasing an invoice with amounts considered excessive. The backlash reignited the debate over the consistency between prices charged and the experience offered.
