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Restaurants · United Kingdom

Do you tip at restaurants in United Kingdom?

Short answer

10–12.5%

10–12.5%, unless service is already on the bill.

Common

Check the bill before adding anything: most mid-range and upmarket restaurants add a discretionary 12.5% service charge. If they haven't, 10–12.5% is the norm for table service. Nothing is expected at a café counter, a takeaway or a chain where you order at the till.

In practice

  • A £60 dinner with no service charge → leave £66–68
  • A £48 bill showing 12.5% service → nothing extra

Tip calculator

10%
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12.5%
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Common questions

How much should you tip at restaurants in United Kingdom?
10–12.5%, unless service is already on the bill.
Can you tip by card in United Kingdom?
Card tipping is normal and easy, terminals routinely prompt. Since the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act came into force in October 2024, employers must pass tips on to staff in full.

Full tipping guide for United Kingdom

Reviewed by Greg Kockott on 3 September 2026.

Figures checked against the sources below on 4 September 2026.

Sources