When dining in Belgium, be prepared for the quirky tradition of receiving one bill per table at many restaurants. This can spark a friendly debate among diners on splitting the total, leading to questions like who foots the bill or how to settle individual shares. Matthias De Caluwé from Horeca Vlaanderen advises restaurant owners to clearly communicate this practice beforehand, either through the menu or verbally. Dining out can turn into a fun math puzzle in Belgium!
In many restaurants in Belgium, it is not possible to split the bill when dining in company, as the owners insist on having one bill per table. While they are legally allowed to do this, it should be communicated clearly in advance.
When eating out with friends or family, the restaurant sometimes allows only one bill per table. Then people start puzzling: who pays the total bill? How does everyone pay each other back? Does everyone pay their own share, or is the bill divided equally?
“Restaurant owners may ask their customers to pay the whole bill at once, but they must communicate this clearly on the menu or verbally in advance,”
Matthias De Caluwé of the Horeca Vlaanderen hospitality association
In Belgium, it’s up to each restaurant to decide if they allow splitting the bill, which can be a hassle, especially for larger groups. This extra time spent could be used to enhance customer service. Some places even skip giving a receipt after payment, making splitting the bill even trickier. However, customers have the right to a valid VAT receipt, and it’s crucial to receive it. If not provided immediately, don’t hesitate to ask for it – the manager will surely assist you.
Each restaurant can decide for themselves whether the bill can be split or not. For them, this often takes extra time – especially when it concerns a large group – that they could invest in other things, such as helping other customers.
Some establishments have stopped giving clients a receipt after they have payed, which also makes splitting the cost extra difficult. “This should not actually be allowed, because owners are obliged to give a valid cash receipt. Customers are always entitled to a final VAT receipt, and it is important that they receive it.”