If the waiter greets you with a menu in four languages, run. Chances are you’re entering a jungle of inflated prices and dishes designed for unsuspecting tourists. And no, frozen paella is not the true taste of Spain. Better keep walking until you find that little bar where regulars enjoy authentic – and tastier – food without paying exorbitant prices.
However, it is not always easy to avoid these tourist traps. A recent example that has gone viral proves this: a group of diners on Las Ramblas in Barcelona ended up paying 37.45 euros for a meal that, in other circumstances, would have cost half as much.
The breakdown of the account, shared by the popular account I am a waiter X leaves no room for doubt: 22 euros for a seafood paella that who knows what it would be like, and worst of all, more than 14 euros for two Coca-Colas. That is to say, the drink alone would cost a similar amount to a full daily menu.
Too expensive
The networks decide the prices: it deserves a complaint
These prices are a source of debate. Many users have expressed their outrage at the exorbitant prices that are often found in these areas. “It’s always the same, the restaurants on Las Ramblas are there to trick tourists,” commented one of the followers of the account, while another went further, calling the situation a “scam” and “reprehensible.” The general feeling is that eating in the heart of Barcelona’s tourist centre is almost a suicide mission for the wallet.
The curious thing is that, despite the warnings, the flow of tourists who fall into these traps continues to be constant. With eye-catching menus and crowded terraces, the charm of Las Ramblas seems to seduce even the most cautious. And the atmosphere, the bustle of the promenade and the desire to try the theoretical Spanish gastronomy can distract enough to ignore the warning signs, until the bill lands on the table.
The lesson is clear: in areas like these, it is best to stay away from the busiest streets and look for other places where there are not too many tourists. Because, after all, paying 14 euros for two soft drinks should be a crime anywhere in the world.
