Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist, has turned an awkward dining moment into a show of generosity.
The son of the late Steve Irwin shared the story with his 7.6 million Instagram followers, calling it an honest mistake.
A Delicious Takeaway Salad Leads to a Frenzy
While road-tripping down the East Coast of Australia, Robert stopped in at Coffs Harbour’s bustling Jetty Pavilion for a takeaway salad.
The visit quickly turned into a scene, with many people recognizing him and wanting to take a photo.
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The Dine and Dash Debacle
In the chaos, Robert forgot to pay for his food and left the restaurant.
“I felt terrible,” he admitted, saying he didn’t even realize his mistake until the next morning.
Making It Right
Robert contacted the restaurant as soon as he realized his error, offering to pay remotely.
The owners responded warmly, saying they loved what Robert did and didn’t need to worry about the missed payment.
A Glowing Review and a Promise to Return
Robert gave the restaurant a shout-out on Instagram, praising their team, food, and atmosphere.
He also promised to return in person and pay his bill.
“Today is not the day I start my life of crime, as much as the tabloids would love that, it’s not happening,” he joked.
The Restaurant’s Heartfelt Response
The owners of Jetty Pavilion responded warmly, thanking Robert for visiting and saying they were blown away by the shout-out.
They even cheekily suggested naming a salad after him!
Robert’s older sister Bindi also joined in the fun, commenting on the post and following the restaurant’s account.
Fans Praise Robert’s Kind Gesture
Fans praised Robert for turning the slip-up into a heartwarming moment.
“As a small business owner, I can confirm that you just did the absolute most WONDERFUL thing for them by doing this!! Such a kind (and life-changing) gesture,” one user wrote.