A Japanese couple has turned down a free trip to Italy after they were hit with a $1,200 lunch bill at a Roman restaurant.

The Italian government extended the all-expenses paid holiday to Yasuyuki Yamada and his fiancee after they were hit with the bill at Rome's famous Il Pasetto restaurant.

They were charged $350 for a single pasta dish and $200 just for service.

After paying the tab, the couple complained to police.

In a bid to repair the damage caused by the debacle, Italy's government offered the Japanese couple an all-expenses paid return holiday to Rome.

But Mr Yamada turned it down, describing it as a useless way to spend Italian taxpayers' money.