ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Restaurant Criticised For $5 Surcharge If Customers Have 'Hipster Allergies'

Restaurant Criticised For $5 Surcharge If Customers Have 'Hipster Allergies'

The menu says you'll have to pay more if you're vegan or gluten intolerant.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

As tastes and attitudes change, services have to change with it.

That can't be more evident than with restaurants opening themselves up to the vegan market by having options on hand. While it's been a slow journey, it's surprising when a place doesn't have at least a vegetarian option.

Menus are now packed with little numbers or letters, indicating which option is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or containing nuts, shellfish or any other traditional allergy.

However, one restaurant in New Zealand has raised eyebrows for a note on their menu. Satya Chai Lounge in Auckland has added a $5 surcharge for people who have 'hipster allergies'.

hsmithakl/Reddit

Those allergies include being vegan and gluten intolerance.

Restaurant owner, Samrudh Akuthota., has told the NZ Herald: "We will bend over backwards to look after people who have serious dietary requirements. We've cleaned the whole kitchen up and make sure they get looked after and don't die

"The frustrating thing is we have people say, 'We're coeliac, wheat will kill me' but we offer them a gluten-free beer option and they say, 'No, beer doesn't count'. They take the piss.

"The hipster allergy was really put on there as a joke. We've never charged that and we never will.

Instagram

"It's more a case of saying if you're going to be hipster and trendy by being vegan or gluten-free please tell us how serious it is. If it is going to be life-threatening, we will do our best to look after you."

He says political correctness has gone too far and people can't take a joke anymore without getting heated.

Samrudh says he takes people's dietary requirements really seriously, like any restaurant, and he was just pointing fun at some people being a little hypocritical.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Satya Chai

Topics: Food, Community