Mykonos restaurateur denies charging holidaymakers ‘rip-off prices’

A restaurant owner on the Greek island of Mykonos has defended charging holidaymakers huge prices after they reported falling victim to a ‘tourist scam’.

Francisco Tajeda, a US soldier from Brooklyn, took to social media to post the bill he’d received from the DK Oyster restaurant, which added up to €836 ($935/£700) for a lunch of calamari, salad and beers.

The 38-year-old revealed on TripAdvisor that staff refused to give him a menu or show prices – then hit him with a bill for €591 ($661.41) for six plates of calamari and €150 ($167.87) for six beers.

In addition to the €59.40 ($66.46) for three Caesar salad appetizers with chicken,€17.80 ($20.14) for two bottles of water and €18 ($20.18) for a tomato juice, the whole bill came to little less than $1,000.

He posted on TripAdvisor: "Avoid this place, this place is a trap.

"They charged us 830 euros for calamari, 6 beers and 3 salads. The staff is not honest and refuse to provide a menu and prices. 

"Avoid this place at all costs! No pun intended."

He told DailyMail.com that he and five friends were lured into the beachfront restaurant by a hostess who promised them special offers, but did not bring a menu despite repeated requests, and said she did not know the price of calamari. 

The next day, he was told by locals that the group had fallen victim to a known ‘tourist scam’.

"The locals told us it was illegal, as the tax was not on the ticket – it was an illegal receipt. They told us we’d been scammed.

"We went to the police and made a report but we had to get on a plane back home a couple of hours later, so there wasn’t much we could do."

Over the past few weeks, other customers have complained on TripAdvisor about the high prices and unhelpful staff.

DK Oyster owner Dimitris Kalamaras told DailyMail.com that customers who cannot afford the prices should order something else.

He said: "The prices are correct…and reflect the level of our efforts, care and the quality of the food served in one of the world’s most coveted beaches."

He said he sympathises with the ‘unsatisfied customer’ but said the word ‘trap’ was ‘not fair’.

He added: "I hope that we are not considered a second class country/island/business that should be cheap."

He ended: "You are all invited to come and try our cuisine, enjoy the unique breathtaking view, feel the vibes and relish our drinks and plates served always with a smile.

"But please, do check the prices first. If you can’t afford them, in order to avoid any bitterness, just opt for the special combo menu which may not be the most satisfying option, but allows a small glimpse for those who cannot afford the experience."