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WhatTheTip

Restaurants · France

Do you tip at restaurants in France?

Short answer

Round up, or 5%

Nothing is required. Leave a few euros if you enjoyed it.

OptionalCash preferred

Because service is included, leaving nothing is completely acceptable and common among locals. After a good meal many people leave loose change or round up; 5% at a nicer restaurant is generous. Leave it in cash on the table — adding it to the card payment is unusual.

In practice

  • A €76 dinner for two → leave €80
  • A €38 lunch → leave €40

Tip calculator

5%

Cash or card?

Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

Common questions

Do you tip at restaurants in France?
Nothing is required. Leave a few euros if you enjoyed it. Because service is included, leaving nothing is completely acceptable and common among locals. After a good meal many people leave loose change or round up; 5% at a nicer restaurant is generous. Leave it in cash on the table — adding it to the card payment is unusual.
How much should you tip at restaurants in France?
Round up, or 5%. Nothing is required. Leave a few euros if you enjoyed it.
Can you tip by card in France?
Card terminals in France almost never prompt for a tip. If you want to leave one, use cash.

← Full tipping guide for France

Editorial review pending. These figures reflect widely reported norms for France and have not yet been checked against cited sources.