Restaurant Scams in Bucharest, Romania
Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks. Below are the restaurant scams scams reported in Bucharest — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Mykonos, Barcelona, and Krakow.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
2
Restaurant Scams Scams
11
Total in Bucharest
How it works
Hostesses in bars near the Old Town (Lipscani) invite tourists in for drinks, then a huge bill arrives — often hundreds of euros — with extras neither party agreed to. Doormen or associates prevent leaving until payment is made.
How it works
Restaurants in Lipscani's Old Town display attractive photos and reasonable prices outside, but add large cover charges, service fees, and inflated tourist menu items not shown on the board outside.
See all scams in Bucharest
11 total warnings across all categories