A casual brunch turns costly: The shocking price of a morning bite in Darwin

In a startling revelation that left patrons wide-eyed, a Darwin coffee shop presented a bill that seemed more fitting for a lavish feast than a modest brunch. The incident, which quickly became the talk of the town, unfolded when customers ordered what they thought would be a light and affordable morning meal.

The order, comprising merely four items, included two bacon and egg rolls adorned with avocado and a pair of iced coffees, each with a scoop of ice cream. Far from an extravagant spread, this simple selection would typically be expected to come with a reasonable price tag. However, the reality was a far cry from what the patrons anticipated.

The bill, which found its way to the viral realms of Reddit, detailed the costs with startling clarity. The bacon and egg rolls, a staple of any brunch menu, were priced at an eye-watering AU$22 each, approximately US$14.55. The addition of avocado tacked on an extra AU$3, around US$2, per roll. As for the iced coffees, each was charged at AU$10, roughly US$6.60, with the ice cream supplement costing another AU$3.

The total for these four items alone reached AU$70, but the surprises didn’t end there. A Sunday surcharge, a common practice in the hospitality industry, added an additional AU$7 to the bill, bringing the grand total to a staggering AU$77, or about US$51.

The reaction on social media was a mix of disbelief and outrage. One user exclaimed, “Maaaate… You got ripped off big time. That’s not eating out is expensive. That’s f*cked.” Another commented on the steep prices, saying, “Even without the Sunday surcharge, that is one expensive breakfast. And $13 for an iced coffee too.”

While some tried to rationalize the exorbitant cost, citing Darwin’s high living expenses and the premium location of a beachside cafe, the consensus was clear: this brunch bill was beyond the pale. When asked about the quality of the meal, the customer conceded, “Yes! To be fair, it was really nice food—but I still had to do a double take when I saw the cost.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of dining out, where a simple meal can sometimes come with an unexpectedly hefty price tag.