Tourists asked to leave Croatian restaurant after ordering only dessert

Four young Hungarian tourists were asked to leave a crowded restaurant on Croatia’s Krk island after ordering only dessert. Each ordered a portion of pancakes costing 7 euros, bringing the total bill to 28 euros.

The group had waited between 10 and 15 minutes for a table. According to the mother of one of the tourists, the waiter became irritated after learning that they intended to order only pancakes. He reportedly objected to four people occupying a table during the busy evening period while other customers waited outside, then asked them to leave.

The incident divided social media users. Some criticized the restaurant, saying customers should be free to choose what they order as long as they pay for it. Others said the restaurant’s reaction could be understood during peak hours, when a table for four might otherwise generate larger orders.

The Croatian media contacted Mira Horváth, a senior representative of the Croatian National Tourist Board in Hungary, to ask whether restaurants could require a minimum spend. Horváth said Croatian law does not impose a minimum consumption amount on restaurant customers.

Restaurants must clearly display their prices and the conditions under which they provide services, she said. There is therefore no general rule requiring customers to order main courses or reach a particular bill. Customers who believe a restaurant has breached the rules can contact the State Inspectorate or complain directly to the restaurant. Similar disputes over tables used only for drinks or desserts have also been reported in other popular European destinations, including Italy and Spain.

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Croatian law does not impose a minimum consumption amount on restaurant customers.