Beijing Consumer Association (BCA) has called on restaurants to stop charging a minimum fee and to cultivate a social atmosphere of moderate consumption.

"This is the first time in recent years that we've made such a proposal," said a BCA media officer, surnamed Li, on Wednesday.

BCA conducted a random interview with 20 mid- and high-level restaurants in Beijing and found that 14 have a minimum consumption fee if diners wish to book a separate room, ranging from 800 to 3,000 yuan ($128-482).

One diner, surnamed Zhang, said he had to order three courses of the same fish dish to meet the minimum spend of 3,000 yuan, according to BCA.

An employee from the Anzhen branch of South Beauty restaurant Wednesday said they charge 3,000 yuan for a VIP room for 10 diners, plus 10 percent service fee.

Some restaurants adopt the policy temporarily during the Spring Festival.

"For a table of 10, the minimum spend must be 1,988 yuan for New Year's Eve dinner, or else we don't accept the booking," said an operator from the Shuangjing branch of Quanjude restaurant, "and the tables are almost booked up."

Wu Yisha, a 20-year old Beijing resident, said he was asked to order above 800 yuan for a table for a family dinner during last year's festival. 

"In principle, it [the minimum spending policy] isn't  right. But it's not too out of line; people can order that much food after all, so few would care too much. What's more, people don't want any hassle as it's the Spring Festival," said Wu.