Scam in SpainFood and drink
Restaurants aimed mainly at tourists in Spain
How it works
Some restaurants target visitors unfamiliar with local meal customs. Very early meal times or paella offered for dinner can signal a tourist trap. These signs alone do not prove overcharging or fraud.
Warning signs
- The restaurant serves breakfast at 07:00, lunch at 12:00 and dinner at 18:00.
- Paella is promoted as a dinner dish.
How to avoid it
- Check the menu and prices before sitting down.
- Compare nearby restaurants.
- Choose based on clear prices and the food you want.
If it happens to you
Check the bill and question any items or prices that do not match your order.
- Move somewhere safe. Do not chase thieves or fight over belongings. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
- Freeze or cancel stolen cards immediately. Tell your bank or payment provider about any fraudulent payment or transfer.
- Write down what happened. Save receipts, messages, payment records, times, locations and descriptions.
- Report the crime to police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia, the police report, for insurance or replacement documents.
- Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport was stolen. Contact the rental company if a rental vehicle was involved.
- Contact your insurer and keep your report and receipts. If a phone was stolen, secure affected accounts and contact your mobile provider.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- Redditr/TravelNoPics2025Overtourism has ruined BarcelonaA visitor describes restaurants near Barcelona’s major sights as tourist-focused businesses with reviews alleging tricks and overcharging.Read on Reddit
- Redditr/travel2024Shops and restaurants scamming tourists in Barcelona?Travellers discuss tourist-area restaurants using misleading promotions, undisclosed charges and promotional material bearing a different restaurant name.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the restaurants aimed mainly at tourists scam in Spain?
Some restaurants target visitors unfamiliar with local meal customs. Very early meal times or paella offered for dinner can signal a tourist trap. These signs alone do not prove overcharging or fraud.
How can I spot it early?
The restaurant serves breakfast at 07:00, lunch at 12:00 and dinner at 18:00. Paella is promoted as a dinner dish.
How do I avoid restaurants aimed mainly at tourists in Spain?
Check the menu and prices before sitting down. Compare nearby restaurants. Choose based on clear prices and the food you want.
What should I do if it happens to me?
Check the bill and question any items or prices that do not match your order.
Where in Spain does this happen?
Tourist-facing restaurants.
How common is this scam in Spain?
Occasional. Spain is generally safe, but pickpocketing and distraction theft are common in busy tourist areas, especially in Barcelona and Madrid. Travellers may also face taxi overcharging, padded restaurant bills, pushy street offers and online payment scams.
Are there similar scams in Spain?
Yes: restaurant and bar bill padding, restaurant tip pressure.
Who can I report it to?
Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police, medical or fire help. The number is toll-free. Policía Nacional: report crimes in cities to the National Police. Ask for a copy of the denuncia if you need evidence for insurance or replacement documents. Policía Municipal or Local; Guardia Urbana in Barcelona: ask local police for help finding where to report. They can escort you to Policía Nacional headquarters if required, but do not directly take crime reports as described here. Regional police: regional forces with similar responsibilities to Policía Nacional include Mossos d'Esquadra in Catalonia, Ertzaintza in the Basque Country, Policía Foral in Navarre and Policía Canaria in the Canary Islands. Guardia Civil: seek help for incidents outside cities or on roads between cities. For urgent help, call 112. Your bank or card issuer: use your banking app or a trusted contact number to block cards, report fraud and ask whether a payment or transfer can be stopped or recovered. Your embassy or consulate: contact them through their official contact details if your passport is stolen. Keep your police report for the replacement process. Your travel insurer: report the loss promptly and follow the claim instructions. Keep the police report, receipts and evidence of ownership. Your rental company: use the contact details in your rental agreement to report vehicle damage or theft. Keep the police report and photographs of damage.
What number do I call in an emergency in Spain?
Police, medical and fire emergencies: 112.
Reviewed by @snuck