Restaurants in Lisbon are reportedly charging tourists higher prices than local diners, operating a system of secret cheaper rates for Portuguese people who are in the know. Eateries in Lisbon’s scenic historic centre show tourist prices on menus in several languages. But a lower price for locals eating the same dishes is “transmitted verbally, in whispers or indicated on menus placed in inconspicuous or even hidden areas”, according to a report by Expresso , the Portuguese weekly newspaper.
Industry experts told Expresso that charging different prices for food based on nationality is “completely illegal”. Portugal’s AHRESP hospitality industry association said it was not aware of restaurants having discriminatory prices for tourists. It said that rates for dishes must be equal for all customers and displayed “in a totally transparent manner”.
.
