Saudi restaurant fines diners for leftovers

Manama: A Saudi restaurant has started charging diners if they order more than they can eat.

The move against leftovers by Marmar Restaurant in the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province is aimed at stopping food wastage and reduce extravagance by rationalising orders, said Fahad Al Anezi, the restaurant owner.

"There are many clients who make large orders in order to impress the people around them and boost their social prestige," he said, as quoted by Saudi media.

The fine is symbolic for diners whose eyes or egos are bigger than their stomachs and is decided according to the quantity of the leftovers.

The unprecedented idea has been largesly endorsed by Saudis, Al Anezi said.