Ireland’s favourite cafe has been slammed for charging €16 for a hot chocolate and a bun.
Bewley’s on Grafton Street prides itself on its in-house hot chocolate, which is served with mini marshmallows, cream and orange chocolate shavings. And it is also proud of the thousands of delicious cakes, eclairs, sticky buns and other confectionery treats that they sell from their iconic store on Dublin’s main thoroughfare every day.
However, the prices they are charging for their products have been described as “completely extortionate” by People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy. He added that it was “scandalous” to charge such prices.
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Dublin Live was shocked when it was presented with a bill for €8 for a regular hot chocolate and €7.60 for a small coffee icing eclair bun. The total for the hot chocolate, eclair, a tea and cookie came to €22.60.
A packet of Bewley’s’ Indulgent Drinking Chocolate (250g, 10 servings) can be purchased in Tesco for €4.55. It is understood it is Bewley’s policy to present customers with a price list before they order in their Grafton Street cafe.
This did not happen on the occasion Dublin Live visited and the exorbitant price for the hot chocolate was only discovered when the server came back to the table with the bill. Mr Murphy told Dublin Live last night that the prices were unacceptable.
He said: “These reported prices being charged for hot chocolate and buns are completely extortionate. It is quite scandalous that these prices could be charged in an industry which is seeking the extension of the 9% VAT rate and where there is widespread low pay. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, these prices are just unacceptable.”
A spokesman for Bewleys defended their pricing. He said: “Our table-served Bewley’s hot chocolate is a much-loved favourite at the Cafe which uses only the finest quality Fair Trade cocoa beans. It is served on a handmade board along with three pots containing marshmallows, chocolate curls and whipped cream so that customers can create their own perfect hot chocolate experience.”
The cafe’s website also boasts about the special experience in store for customers who visit their flagship store.
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