Customer In An Italian Café Was Not Impressed By The Of An Espresso. The Police Fined The Owner Of The Establishment.

A café in Florence received a fine of one thousand Euros after the police had been called by an unhappy customer. According to The Guardian, he was provoked by having to pay 2 Euros for a decaffeinated espresso. The police concluded that the law was broken after they noticed that there was no drinks menu behind the counter in the café. 

The owner of the historical café Ditta Artigianale located in the centre of historical Tuscan city Francesco Sanapo argued on social media that the price was high precisely due to the origin of the coffee. He claims the prices of coffee from a small Mexican plantage were displayed on displays of a digital menu.

Ouch, the awesome specialty coffee roasters, Ditta Artigianale, has been fined 1000 Euros for not displaying the prices behind the bar. https://t.co/ug3DWE3ZvV

— Bean There at blog (@beanthereat) May 18, 2022

He demands a reform of the law which forces establishments to display prices behind the counter. "Even today we can find people who mobilize the police just because they think we are breaking an ancient law. We need to change the law, since it can be the downfall of 99.9% of bars and restaurants."

The average price of espresso is on the level of 1 Euro, although in the last year as a result of an increase in import costs and a weaker season, 70% of establishments have increased prices. By the end of the year the average price could get to 1.50 Euros. 

Francesco Sanapo, in whose café customers already paid 1.50 Euros in 2013, said that nobody can be surprised in the future if they pay 2 or more Euros for a coffee as a result of an increase in costs.