Everything you need to know about tipping in London restaurants.

In restaurants around the world, the list of people you’re expected to tip is… long. In London restaurants, it really isn’t.

In full-service restaurants, it’s common to leave a tip. While no one will chase you out the door for not tipping, you might leave a sour taste if the service was excellent and you leave nothing. Service staff in mid- to high-end places usually expect something if they’ve been attentive, especially if you’ve lingered over multiple courses. But you don’t have to tip.

You don’t have to tip bartenders in London. But if you're settling in at the bar for a while, or you’ve just been on the receiving end of an off-menu Old Fashioned made with suspiciously good bourbon, you could buy the bartender a drink or let them keep your change for a drink at the end of their shift. It’s far from an expectation, but buying the bartender a drink is relatively common in pub culture.

Similarly, baristas don’t expect tips in London or elsewhere in the UK. There’s no strict protocol, but you may be asked to leave a tip when using a card reader, or you may notice a change jar where you can leave your change. But there’s no social penalty for not leaving a tip.

Ten per cent or so is the informal standard, but only in sit-down restaurants. It’s not a law; it’s not etched in stone, and if the service didn’t match the price tag, you’re absolutely allowed to reduce or remove it. On the flip side, if you’ve had a brilliant night, there’s nothing wrong with rounding up a bit more. Just ensure that the money goes directly to the person you intend to receive it. For a broader look at UK-wide norms, take a look at our guide on tipping in the UK.

If you’re visiting from abroad, the tipping culture in the UK might be different to what you’re used to – particularly if you’re from the United States. There’s no obligation to tip in London or the UK, although it is, of course, appreciated. The reason for the difference is that waiters and waitresses in the UK are paid minimum wage and don’t rely on tips in the same way that they do in the US.

By contrast, if you’re from Europe, Japan, or other places where tipping is exceptionally unusual or even insulting, you may see service charges added to your restaurant bill by default. But just because it’s on the bill, it doesn’t mean you have to pay. It’s still discretionary.

If you’ve had bad service or just don’t want to pay, here’s how to have a service charge removed from a bill.

1. Ask to see the bill before you pay.

2. Politely point out the service charge line.

3. Say you’d prefer to tip in your own way or that the service didn’t meet expectations.

4. Request that it be removed before the card machine arrives.

5. Decide whether to leave a different amount in cash or pay by card.

With tipping culture less entrenched in the UK than in other countries, you’re unlikely to end up in an argument over a service charge. For more details, take a look at our guide answering do you have to pay service charges?

Nothing dramatic. Staff can’t prevent you from paying only the subtotal, and the law is on your side in this matter. Service charges are entirely optional. You don’t need to offer an excuse, though it’s good manners to give one if you're at a higher-end spot. 

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