Question 1

What is the "Overpriced "Poutine Experience" Restaurant Bait" scam in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Some restaurants in the Old Montreal tourist corridor and near the Bell Centre post menus outside with attractive prices, but the final bill includes mandatory service charges, a "tourism surcharge," or charges for bread, water, and table settings that are not disclosed until the bill arrives. Tourists unfamiliar with Quebec restaurant billing — where a 15% tip on the pre-tax total is standard — may be presented a terminal pre-set to calculate the tip on the post-tax total, effectively inflating the tip by 15–20%. Ask for a full itemized menu before sitting down, including any mandatory charges. Confirm whether water and bread are complimentary. When the payment terminal is presented, manually select "other" or "enter amount" to type in your own tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Walk away from any restaurant that refuses to show you a full menu before seating.

Question 2

What is the "Tip Manipulation at Restaurants" scam in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Servers in tourist-heavy areas present payment terminals pre-set to 25-30% tip and quickly flip it away, or list tip calculations based on the pre-tax total plus tax — a double calculation. Take the terminal yourself and manually select the tip amount. In Quebec, tipping 15% on the pre-tax total is standard. Do not feel pressured by pre-set options.

Restaurant Scams in Montreal

Overpriced "Poutine Experience" Restaurant Bait

Tip Manipulation at Restaurants

Experienced a scam here?