The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 201) rules that a guest eating a meal in someone else’s home must recite the "Birkat Ore’ah," the prayer for the host, which is printed in the Siddurim. The question arises as to whether this applies if the guest is paying for his meal, such as when somebody hosts a function in his home and guests have to pay to join.
This issue is subject to debate among the Halachic authorities. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) ruled that a guest who pays for his meal is not required to recite this prayer, whereas Rav Yaakob Emden (1698-1776), in his work Mor U’ksia, disagreed, arguing that even a guest paying for his meal must recite the "Birkat Ore’ah."
This question is also relevant to restaurant guests. According to the Mishna Berura, a guest eating at a restaurant would not recite the "Birkat Ore’ah," as he is paying for his meal, whereas according to Rav Yaakob Emden, he must recite the prayer on behalf of the restaurant owner. Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (1910-2012), following the view of Rav Yaakov Emden, maintained that a guest at a restaurant must recite the prayer even though he is paying for his meal. The underlying rationale is that since the restaurant is providing the guest with food, a table and utensils so he could eat, he must express gratitude and offer a prayer on the owner’s behalf.
As for the final Halacha, Rabbi Bitan, in his work on Berachot (vol. 2, p. 362), proposes a compromise position, advising paying guests to recite a brief version of "Birkat Ore’ah" instead of the full text that appears in Siddurim. They should simply recite, "Harahaman Hu Yebarech Et Ba’al Ha’bayit Ha’zeh Oto Ve’et Banav Ve’et Kol Asher Lo," praying for the success of the host and his family.
It should be noted that if a person eats in a restaurant and somebody else – such as his parents or friend – is paying for his meal, then he must certainly recite the normal "Birkat Ore’ah" on behalf of his host.
Summary: A guest who is paying for his meal should recite an abbreviated version of the customary "Birkat Ore’ah" prayer: "Harahaman Hu Yebarech Et Ba’al Ha’bayit Ha’zeh Oto Ve’et Banav Ve’et Kol Asher Lo."
