A 12.5% 'optional service charge' is usually already on the restaurant bill — check before adding more.
| Where | What's customary |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | 10–12.5% is standard, but only if a service charge isn't already included. You can ask for it to be removed if service was poor. |
| Taxi & rideshare | Round up to the nearest pound for black cabs; 10–15% is generous. |
| Hotel | £1–2 per bag; housekeeping tips are optional and less common than in the US. |
| Bar | No tipping for drinks at the bar — offering to 'buy one for yourself' is the tradition. |
Yes. A 12.5% 'optional service charge' is usually already on the restaurant bill — check before adding more. At a restaurant a typical tip is around 12.5%.
10–12.5% is standard, but only if a service charge isn't already included. You can ask for it to be removed if service was poor.
Round up to the nearest pound for black cabs; 10–15% is generous.
No tipping for drinks at the bar — offering to 'buy one for yourself' is the tradition.
Tipping customs as of 2026-07-13. Norms vary between venues and change over time — treat these as a guide, not a rule.