Abu Dhabi Red and White
Striker
Lots of ethnic restaurants (especially Chinese) don't seem to take cards. Money under the bed or cheating the taxman?Loads of places take Amex now, however there's the odd few claim to accept it, (usually chinese and indian restaurants in my experience) as per the stickers on their window/doors, then when you come to pay they mysteriously don't accept it, or the Amex card machine is broken. (Do they even use a different machine for Amex cards in some places)?
This also happened in Venice a few year ago - the restaurant indicated they accepted Amex, as per the Amex sticker on their door, cue a carry on when coming to pay, saying they didn't accept, however a card machine mysteriously appeared when ground was stood that no other means to pay were available.