£38 for two coffees and water in Venice cafe leads to outcry

A CAFÉ customer in Venice who was charged the equivalent of £38 for two coffees and two bottles of water has prompted a social media outcry.

Juan Carlos Bustamente, 62, a Chilean who lives in Italy, shared a photo of his receipt from Caffe Lavena in the notoriously pricey St Mark’s Square on Facebook, where it was shared nearly 10,000 times.

The steep €43 bill was a result of the surcharge the famed eatery collects from customers sat outside in what is regarded as the sunniest corner of the piazza, opposite St Mark’s Basilica, where they can listen to the orchestras that play there.

Mr Bustamente wrote: “I don’t know what you think, but €43 for two coffees and two bottles of water!”

Many on social media echoed his disdain, while others argued he was paying for the advantageous seat.

In January, Luigi Brugnaro, the city’s mayor, said he would investigate the steep prices after Japanese tourists complained of a €1,100 (£970) bill for four meals and wine in a restaurant near the square.