How it works:
- Situation:
- Most food places are fine, it’s generally just a few bad eggs around touristy areas that spoil it for the rest.
- Set-up:
- Version 1: a tout pulls you in where you will be offered today’s special without a mention of the price. At the end of the meal, you will be hit with an inflated bill.
- Version 2: if you are a non-Chinese eating at a Chinese restaurant, there is a likelihood of being given a “foreigner” menu with higher prices.
- Version 3: adding dishes you did not order to the bill.
- Version 4: at Niagara Falls, adding a voluntary tourist tax (also called TIF, TIFF, DMF) to your bill.
- Version 5: double tipping – by adding a tip/gratuity but not disclosing it in the bill and asking for a tip.
Places to beware:
- Please refer to location tags above
What to do:
- Choose: reputable places (use food review apps like SkipTheDishes) and avoid those promoted by touts.
- Check: menu (prices, fine print), itemized bill, and do not eat what was not ordered.
- Reputable food tour operators: a reputable operator will ensure that you get to sample the best and the most unique cuisines which Canada has to offer while immersing in the local culture. Some reputable local names to consider include Tasty Tours Toronto (known for their exclusive food and chocolate experiences, as well as their invention of the unique Toronto dessert the Toffle™).
- Alternative: GetYourGuide (leading day tours platform globally) has a couple of food tours.
