Istanbul Cafes Charging 50 TL ‘Table Fee’ Face Legal Backlash

A growing number of cafés and restaurants in Istanbul have begun charging customers 50 TL every 30 minutes if they remain seated without placing additional orders after their first one. The so-called “table usage fee” — effectively charging people just for sitting — has sparked a wave of public criticism and a sharp legal rebuke from consumer rights advocates.

According to reports, this practice has emerged in several popular neighborhoods, where business owners claim it helps manage crowding and table turnover. However, for many consumers, it marks an alarming shift in hospitality norms, where “time spent” is treated as a billable service rather than a courtesy.

Consumer Watchdog: ‘Charging Without Service Is Illegal’

The Consumer Protection Association (TÜKODER) has declared the practice “clearly unlawful under consumer protection law.”
Speaking to Odatv, TÜKODER President Aziz Koçal condemned the move, citing Article 6502 of the Consumer Protection Law, which explicitly prohibits charging for services that have not been provided.

“Such practices fall under the category of unfair commercial behavior,” Koçal stated. “If a business demands a ‘table fee’ without offering an actual service, that charge has no legal validity. Moreover, not disclosing such fees clearly and upfront to customers also violates regulations.”

Koçal emphasized that cafés and restaurants are social and semi-public spaces where people should feel free to spend time without being subjected to “hidden” or unjustified charges.

‘Tables Are Not Commercial Real Estate’

TÜKODER argues that cafés and restaurants cannot treat seating as a commodity to rent by the minute. “These establishments are not co-working offices,” said Koçal. “The moment you start charging for sitting, you violate the essence of hospitality and public trust.”

Legal experts echo this sentiment, warning that such charges could constitute unjust enrichment and lead to administrative fines if investigated by the Trade Ministry or local consumer boards.

TÜKODER Urges Consumers: ‘Do Not Pay, Report It’

In response to the growing controversy, TÜKODER has urged citizens to refuse payment of any “table usage” fees and to file complaints with local Consumer Arbitration Committees.

“If you encounter such a charge, don’t pay it,” Koçal advised. “Keep your receipt, document the situation, and report it. The Trade Ministry and municipal authorities must urgently inspect and penalize these unlawful practices.”

Consumer groups have also called on the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to monitor and potentially sanction venues that continue imposing time-based fees on customers.

Public Reaction: ‘Paying Just to Sit?’

On social media, the reaction has been swift and sarcastic, with users comparing the new system to “parking meters for café tables.” Some argue that rising rents and inflation are pushing small business owners toward desperate pricing tactics, while others say the practice is a betrayal of customer loyalty in a sector built on social interaction.

Economists note that while the hospitality industry faces mounting cost pressures, passing these costs directly to customers in the form of arbitrary “usage fees” risks long-term reputational damage.

Legal Experts Expect Crackdown

Legal analysts predict that Turkey’s Trade Ministry will soon issue a directive banning or regulating such fees. Unless cafés can clearly prove that a customer was informed and consented in writing to such a charge, the fee would be unenforceable in court.

For now, TÜKODER’s position is unequivocal:

“No business can charge for time if no service is rendered. Sitting at a table is not a transaction — it’s a right.”