Diners were left gobsmacked when receiving what they believed to be an extortionate bill at a restaurant – but it's only because the group didn't know the meaning of 'MKT'17:11, 30 Jun 2026Updated 17:12, 30 Jun 2026There's nothing quite like treating yourself to a delicious meal out with friends and family, not having to cook or do the dishes, and being able to let your hair down in an environment that isn't your home.‌However, when it comes to the bill, eagle-eyed consumers have realised that sometimes they see three letters on their receipts – and are now wondering what it's all about. After a trio of friends went out for a steak dinner, they checked the receipt and were confused to see 'MKT' written on the bill, as they had absolutely no idea what it meant.‌The clip, shared by TikTok user @aribella_menold , amassed over 2.2 million views and shows a receipt totalling $159.14 (£118) between the three diners, with the text overlay "POV: You didn't know what 'MKT' meant on the steak menu and now you're paying for it."‌Content cannot be displayed without consentPeople in the comments section were equally as flabbergasted as they had no idea what it meant either, and they were wondering why the bill was so high.Hospitality payment experts at Dojo shared their insights to clear up any confusion. Dojo notes you are likely to see items like seafood, prime meat cuts, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and imported ingredients labelled as MKT.‌This is because it has a very specific meaning, and sometimes, it can flummox people when they just overlook it as a hospitality quirk.They shared: "When MKT (or MP) is printed on a restaurant menu or receipt, it means 'market price'. This indicates the price of the item is not fixed and will fluctuate depending on the current market rate."Listing items on menus as 'MKT' allows restaurants to adjust their pricing in line with their cost, without reprinting menus".‌Is it the customer's job to ask or the server to explain?The viral TikTok didn't just spark confusion; it kicked off a debate in the comments over who's ultimately responsible when 'MKT' pricing baffles customers.One commenter wrote: "Honestly, shame on your server for not informing you of the price when it’s clearly not listed."Another wrote: "I have never been anywhere where they told you the cost upfront unless you asked… it's totally the customer's fault for not asking when there is NO PRICE LISTED."‌A third added: "I looked up market value once and then asked the price. It was like double what Google told me."The experts at Dojo said: "In these situations, transparency from both sides is key. It's likely the server assumed the customer was familiar with the pricing or would ask if unsure."To avoid confusion, diners should feel comfortable asking for clarification on any 'MKT' priced items. Equally, it's good practice for servers to offer a prompt, such as: 'Just to note, I can provide today’s price for any items listed as MKT upon request'."Article continues belowHave you ever been caught out by this in the past? Let us know in the comments...