How Much to Tip at a Restaurant
Tipping at a restaurant is one of the most common situations Americans navigate daily. The standard tip for sit-down service at a US restaurant is 18–20% of the pre-tax bill. For outstanding service, 25% is a generous way to show appreciation.
Restaurant Tip Guidelines by Service Type
| Service type | Recommended tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-down (casual) | 15–20% | Standard for everyday dining |
| Sit-down (fine dining) | 20–25% | Higher expectation at upscale venues |
| Buffet | 10% | Server still refills drinks and clears plates |
| Counter / fast casual | 10–15% or $1–2 | Optional but appreciated |
| Takeout (in person) | 10–15% | Optional; 15% for complex orders |
| Bar service | $1–2 per drink or 15–20% | $1 per beer, 20% on cocktails |
What Counts as Good Service?
When deciding how much to tip, consider the full dining experience: how quickly your drinks were refilled, whether your food came out correctly, and how attentive your server was throughout the meal. If something went wrong in the kitchen, your server typically had no control over that — the tip should reflect their service, not the chef's.
Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Tipping
Etiquette traditionally suggests tipping on the pre-tax subtotal. In practice, most people tip on the full post-tax total — it's simpler and the difference on a typical bill is small. Either approach is perfectly acceptable.