Did you know that some luxury Italian restaurants have slightly different menus for women?

[ChicoFromThe305]

Some luxury Italian restaurants separate menus when seeing couples, the woman's menu has no prices on it, all the prices are on the guys menu.

[thegreenyogi]

I had no idea. I find that a bit sexist whereby it's taken for granted that a man should pay and not because the message that comes across is that a woman wants to be kept but rather in my opinion it's on the other foot where pressure is placed continuously on this idea that a man must always be the provider or bread winner. So what does that mean? If a woman wants to pay she can't? It makes one think.

[ChicoFromThe305]

If you want to pay you can always take a peek over the guys menu and choose to pay right 🤣

[thegreenyogi]

Thank you!!

[purplepoppy]

Sounds a good idea, all restaurants should do it. You could tell if a meal was expensive anyway by looking at the ingredients.

And before guys start throwing their dummies out the pram on this. The rule is you look at what he's going for and pick something in the same price bracket.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I think the idea is pretty cool lol

[msc545]

Yes, that is a very old but still common custom in some restaurants, not just Italian ones.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Really like which ones?

[msc545]

There are several here in Los Angeles and even more in San Francisco.

[ChicoFromThe305]

A tradition I didn't think this country participated in anymore, surprisingly

[msc545]

Some restaurants still do it I think.

[ChicoFromThe305]

That's pretty cool

[DryGermanGuy]

I would say in most jurisdictions menu cards without prices are illegal. Urban legend?

[EmmaMary]

Copied and Pasted from Google... Makes interesting reading actually.

Background and Tradition

• The "Gallantry" Defense: Some traditional restaurateurs argue that omitting prices for female diners—a practice highlighted by high-profile social media debates involving visitors at upscale spots like Lake Como's Grand Hotel Tremezzo—is an old-fashioned gesture of chivalry or gallantry. The intent is allegedly to allow the woman to choose whatever she likes without feeling constrained or worried about the financial cost.

• Criticism and Modern Backlash: Critics, including prominent Italian restaurateurs and modern diners, often condemn the practice as outdated and patronizing. Opponents point out that it assumes the man is always paying, undermines female financial autonomy, and makes it awkward or impossible if a woman intends to host or pay the bill herself.

• Prevalence: The practice is not standard across casual or mid-range Italian eateries; it remains largely confined to a small subset of exclusive, traditional, luxury hotel dining rooms or Michelin-starred venues.

[DryGermanGuy]

Are those restaurants flying under the radar of the consumer protection authorities, then? Because we have a decades-old federal law stating that all goods and services have to display the end prices, no exceptions.

[EmmaMary]

If you read it more closely it would appear, at least to me, to be only a practice in Italy, but I might well be misreading it.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard of restaurants doing this, and honestly, I find it a little strange. 😅 I understand the old fashioned idea behind it, but I’d still rather know what everything costs. If I’m sitting at a restaurant, I don’t want to order something without knowing the price just because I’m the woman.

It feels more respectful to just give everyone the same menu and let the couple decide how they want to handle the bill.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I guess it can have its pros and cons, it might also be so you don't choose based on price and choose based on appetite? 🤔

[7Phoenix7]

That’s hilarious lol… and no i didn’t know that.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Kinda funny cause the guy probably wouldn't even know that there's no prices on the woman's menu 😂

[7Phoenix7]

I’d probably mention it “wow there’s no prices…” loll

[ChicoFromThe305]

Oh wow it's free ! 😂

[EmmaMary]

I sincerely hope you are pulling our legs!

[ChicoFromThe305]

Im not lol

[EmmaMary]

I'm just checking the calendar to make sure it's not April 1st. lol

[ChicoFromThe305]

It's true, I don't know how many restaurants but I think it's for some luxury ones lol

[EmmaMary]

Well you certainly do learn something new every day!

Thank you so much for enlightening me.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Yes now you know where to get free meals lol

[EmmaMary]

This is certainly one of the most classic cases of chivalry I've ever heard of. lol

[ChicoFromThe305]

Yes cause chivalry shouldn't be dead 😂

[EmmaMary]

What a lovely thought, however society and peoples views, and attitudes have certainly changed over many decades.

[EmmaMary]

@ChicoFromThe305

Just an afterthought, which menu would a woman get if she was actually on her own, or perhaps with a group of women?

[ChicoFromThe305]

I wouldn't have a clue, I can only imagine she would get the one with the prices if she's alone lol

[4ngelic]

Never heard of that before today

[duntoldya]

interesting.

[CubaPirate]

No I did not