Restaurant Tipping Guide

Master the art of restaurant tipping with our comprehensive guide. Learn standard percentages, when to tip more or less, and how to handle special situations with confidence.

Quick Reference

Standard Restaurant Service

• 15-18% - Adequate service
• 18-20% - Good service (most common)
• 20-25% - Excellent service
• 10-12% - Poor service (address issues first)

Other Restaurant Settings

• $1-2 per drink - Bar service
• 18-20% - Bartender running tab
• $1-2 per coat - Coat check
• $2-5 - Valet parking

Understanding Restaurant Tipping

Why We Tip Servers

In the United States, restaurant servers typically earn a base wage of $2.13-$5 per hour (varies by state), well below minimum wage. Tips make up the majority of their income. Federal law requires that tips + wages meet minimum wage, but in practice, servers depend on tips to earn a living wage.

What's Included in Service

When you tip your server, you're compensating them for:

• Taking your order accurately and promptly
• Delivering food and drinks to your table
• Checking on your satisfaction and needs
• Handling special requests and dietary restrictions
• Clearing plates and maintaining table cleanliness
• Processing payment and providing your check

Tip Sharing

Many restaurants practice "tip pooling" or "tip sharing." Your server may share tips with:

• Bussers: Clear tables and reset them for new guests
• Food runners: Deliver food from kitchen to tables
• Bartenders: Prepare drinks for your table
• Host/hostess: Seat guests and manage reservations (less common)

This means your tip supports multiple team members, not just your server.

When to Tip More (25%+)

• Exceptional service: Server went above and beyond expectations
• Complex orders: Multiple substitutions, allergies, or special requests
• Large parties: Especially if gratuity wasn't automatically added
• Long visits: You occupied the table for 2+ hours (server lost other tips)
• Children in party: Extra mess or attention needed
• Holidays: Server working on major holidays
• Off-peak times: Lunch or slow nights when servers make less overall
• Comp'd items: Tip on the original price, not the discounted price
• Using coupons: Calculate tip on the pre-discount total

When to Tip Less (or Not at All)

Important: Poor service deserves a reduced tip, but first consider whether the problem was your server's fault.

Valid reasons for reduced tips (server's responsibility)

• Rude, dismissive, or inattentive service
• Forgetting your order or multiple requests
• Never checking on your table
• Incorrect order due to server error (not kitchen)

NOT valid reasons (not server's fault)

• Slow kitchen or food delays
• Food quality or temperature issues
• Restaurant being understaffed or busy
• Prices being too high
• Kitchen running out of menu items

Speak to a manager about these issues instead of penalizing the server.

💡 Better Approach

If service is poor due to the server's actions, speak to a manager AND leave a reduced tip with a note explaining why. This helps the server improve and the restaurant understand issues.

Special Situations & FAQs

Buffets and Self-Service

Traditional buffets: 10-15% is appropriate since the server only brings drinks and clears plates.

Counter service / fast-casual: Tipping is optional. $1-2 in tip jar is appreciated but not expected.

Takeout Orders

Tipping on takeout is not required, but 10% is appreciated for large or complex orders. Someone packaged your food, checked it, and prepared condiments.

Fine Dining

Upscale restaurants warrant 20-25% minimum due to higher service expectations. You may also tip:

• Sommelier: 15-20% of wine bill or $10-20 per bottle
• Maître d': $10-50 if they secured a difficult reservation
• Coat check: $1-2 per coat

Splitting the Bill

When splitting bills, ensure the total tip still equals 18-20% of the full bill. Separate checks often result in under-tipping due to rounding down.

Pro tip: One person calculate the tip on the total, then split that amount.

Service Charges vs. Gratuity

Automatic gratuity: Goes to servers and staff. No additional tip needed unless you want to add more.

Service charge: May not go to servers. Check with restaurant. If it doesn't go to staff, add a tip.

Tipping on Comped or Discounted Meals

Always tip based on the original price before discount or comp. Your server provided the same service regardless of what you paid. This is especially important when:

• Using gift certificates or restaurant credits
• Redeeming loyalty rewards or points
• Manager comped your meal due to issue
• Using promotional offers or coupons

Restaurant Tipping Etiquette

✅ Tip in cash when possible

Servers receive cash tips immediately, and they're not subject to credit card processing fees.

✅ Write "CASH" on credit card tip line

If you leave cash on the table, write "cash" on the tip line to prevent confusion.

✅ Be patient during busy times

Restaurants are often understaffed. If your server is clearly overwhelmed, be understanding.

✅ Speak up about problems

Give your server a chance to fix issues before reducing the tip. Most problems can be resolved.

✅ Tip on the full amount for gift cards

Using a gift card? Tip based on the total bill amount, not just what you paid out of pocket.