21.06.2026 21:20
With the start of the summer season, debates over exorbitant prices in tourist areas have flared up again. A bill of 8,890 TL presented to a family dining at a restaurant in Ayvalık, a popular holiday resort in Balıkesir, sparked outrage on social media. On the shared receipt, a single portion of calamari was listed at 1,450 TL, each meze item at 425 TL, and a bottle of water, a basic necessity, was reflected at 150 TL, causing citizens to rebel by saying, "Even this is too much."
With the summer season fully underway, debates over exorbitant prices and "check shock" in tourist areas have reignited. A bill of 8,890 TL presented to a family dining at a restaurant in Ayvalık, one of Balıkesir's popular tourist destinations, caused a huge uproar on social media.
The check shared on a social media account once again revealed the alarming cost of eating out.
Prices listed on the check dated June 18, 2026, amazed those who saw them. Especially the amounts charged for basic consumer goods and seafood drew the ire of social media users.
THEY CHARGED 150 TL FOR WATER AND 1,450 TL FOR CALAMARI
The figures on the bill that arrived after the meal were truly wallet-burning. The most striking item on the check was the calamari, for which a single portion was charged exactly 1,450.10 TL.
In addition, prices ranging from 415 to 450 lira were listed for each of the appetizers such as carrot tarator, fava, and şakşuka on the table, with the average portion price for mezes reaching 425 TL.
The detail that drew the most reaction on social media was water, the most basic necessity; it was seen that the establishment charged 150 TL for a single bottle of water on the check and took 450 TL for a total of 3 bottles of water.
CITIZENS REVOLT: YOU ARE ALIENATING DOMESTIC TOURISTS
After the post received thousands of interactions in a short time, citizens complained about the lack of oversight in tourist venues. Many users reacted to the situation, saying "Charging 150 TL for a bottle of water is not commerce, it's opportunism," while comments were made that such pricing policies are steering domestic tourists toward alternatives abroad. The Ministry of Trade and local administrations are being called upon to intensify inspections of exorbitant prices in the region.