Don't Let the Fuel Crisis Stop You From Dining Out — This Trio of Italian Restaurants Is Covering Your Transport Costs
With petrol prices soaring, this Melbourne restaurant trio is helping diners get out and about by covering part of their transport costs.
Catching a glimpse of the price of petrol right now is enough to make you wince, but one local hospitality group is helping diners tackle rising costs with a money-saving initiative.
Throughout April, ElPiet Group's trio of restaurants is running the 'Fuel on Us' campaign, where guests are reimbursed up to 50 percent of their transport costs, capped at $25 per visit. So, whether you turn up in a ride-share, a taxi, or your own car, just present a valid receipt to see the amount deducted from your final bill.
"We're a small business, built by the community around us. This is just our way of giving something small back — helping people still enjoy a night out without worrying about every extra cost," says ElPiet co-owner Omar El Deek.
If you're ready to head out without the stress of transport costs, the restaurants getting involved include Cosi Bar Ristorante, a South Yarra institution that's celebrating 30 years of serving top-notch Italian cuisine in 2026.
Just around the corner on Murphy Road, the Fuel on Us campaign continues at sister restaurant Cucinetta Melbourne. You might know it from their attention-grabbing 29-cheese gnocchi, an in-house tradition that appears on the menu for a limited time each year.
Finally, you're welcome to dine at Vaporetto Bar & Eatery — a Venetian-style restaurant in Hawthorn, featuring old-school hospitality and traditional Italian cuisine that comes with a regional seafood slant.
"Getting to the restaurant shouldn't be the reason someone stays home," says El Deek. "If we can share that cost, even in a small way, it makes a difference."
ElPiet Group's 'Fuel on Us' campaign is running throughout April, available in South Yarra at Cosi Bar Ristorante and Cucinetta Melbourne, and Vaporetto Bar & Eatery in Hawthorn. Head to Instagram for more information.
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