Restaurant scraps controversial “suggested tip” after customer backlash
The owner of a Sydney CBD Italian restaurant that sparked backlash over a “suggested” tip has now scrapped the practice after diners pushed back.
Ragu Italian Pasta & Wine Bar landed in the spotlight last week when a frustrated customer shared a photo of their bill online. The docket showed two pasta dishes, a glass of Shiraz and a Pepsi coming to $63.00, with the venue’s system automatically tacking on an extra $6.30 as an optional 10 per cent tip, lifting the total to $69.30. At the bottom of the bill was a note that read: 'A suggested tip is included in this bill. Please do not hesitate to ask if you wish to remove it. Grazie,'
The image quickly kicked off a heated debate about whether tipping culture is creeping too far into Australian dining. While the tip was technically optional, many commenters said they would feel awkward asking staff to take it off.
Alessandro Fuscaldo, the director of Vita Dolce – which owns Ragu Italian Pasta & Wine Bar – told Daily Mail he removed the tip prompt last Thursday after seeing the reaction. “It was never my intention to mislead our customers,” Fuscaldo said.
“We had it written everywhere and it should have been explained prior to taking any orders, and prior to settling bills.” He said the feedback made it clear the system wasn’t working as intended. “Obviously we still got it wrong so on December 4, we removed it from our billing system,' he continued.
“We apologise to anyone that didn't have it explained or was offended by it.”
The update will come as a relief to many diners who saw the viral bill as a sign of tipping culture going too far. One commenter said: “This is why I hate tipping culture. It's inherently greedy, and a band-aid fix to the real problems: unfair wages and premium service sold at a premium price,” arguing hospitality businesses should instead price service into the menu.
Others took issue with the wording on the docket. “Really nasty that they add the ‘Please do not hesitate to ask if you wish to remove it’, adding that small layer of social interaction to try and publicly shame you for not tipping as if it's some norm is disgusting,” another wrote.
A third person said the charge felt more like an automatic upsell than a genuine choice, describing it as an 'automatic' tip rather than 'suggested', because 'you have to ask them to remove' the fee.
That frustration was echoed again by another commenter who said the practice crossed a line for local diners.
“Forcing people to go out of their way to opt out of tipping is a bridge you're just not supposed to cross ever.”
With the suggested tip now removed from Ragu’s billing system, the restaurant will still be able to accept tips in the usual way, but the decision over whether – and how much – to leave will be firmly back in the hands of customers.
Jonathan Jackson, 10th December 2025
