To Tip or Not to Tip? Restaurant Tipping Etiquette in the UK
This is a collaborative post.
Tipping culture can vary greatly from country to country, and this is particularly evident in the difference between tipping customs in the United States and the United Kingdom. While tipping is expected and often considered mandatory in the US, it is not as commonplace in the UK.
Tipping in UK restaurants is usually only done when you have received exceptional service rather than being an automatic addition to your bill as it is in the States.
So, how do you decide if you should leave a tip when dining out in the UK? If you want to leave a tip how can you easily decide what percentage to leave?
Should I leave a tip?
When dining out in a restaurant in the UK, it’s important to understand that tipping in the UK is not as ingrained into the culture as it may be in other countries. Unlike in the USA, where a tip of 15-20% is standard, tipping in the UK is more discretionary and usually only given if you can afford it and the service is above and beyond what you would normally expect.
In my experience, it is also worth considering how you actually give that tip because, in some places, the staff member who served you does not receive the amount you tip. This may not be what you expected, so it is always good to ask how you should tip.
In many places, the best way to tip is to give a cash amount at the end of your meal. The restaurant likely has a tips policy, so staff either put it in a jar and split it at the end of the night or at the end of the week among all staff working. This is great as chefs often do not get tipped, but if you loved the food and that is part of the reason for your tip, knowing it is shared can be great.
Tipping for larger tables
In many restaurants in the UK with table service, a discretionary service charge may be added to your bill automatically for larger tables, usually of 8 or more. This charge is not technically a tip but rather an additional fee due to the more work involved in serving a larger table. This amount may not actually go to the servers, so it is always worth asking how it works and then, if you prefer, asking for it to be removed and tipping your server directly if you choose.
Should you tip differently for different venues?
Another factor to consider when deciding whether to leave a tip in a restaurant is whether you are dining at a chain restaurant or a smaller independent establishment. Tipping may be more common at higher-end restaurants or independent eateries where service standards are higher and you receive a more personal experience. Tipping is less expected at chain restaurants where service may be more standardised and less personal.
How much to leave as a tip
If you do decide to leave a tip when dining out in the UK, leaving cash is usually best to avoid card processing fees or shared tips among staff members reducing the amount received by your chosen server. Discreetly hand over your tip when paying your bill or leaving the table.
How much should you leave, though? In general, the choice is yours but a good guide is 10-15% of your final bill. Not everyone is quick with their maths, so if you want to split a bill and/or leave a tip, a tipping calculator could be your friend here. It makes splitting a bill when you add a tip easily and split it down so you know how much you need to pay on a card and how much to leave as a tip if this is your preference. Don’t panic if your tipping calculator has dollars instead of pounds; the amounts will be the same. Just ignore the $ for tipping in the UK.
Do I have to tip in the UK?
No! Remember that tipping in the UK should always be voluntary and based on your personal experience with your server. By following these guidelines and using your discretion, you can decide whether to leave a tip when dining out in the UK.