You should tip at least 18% of the pretax bill at a fine dining restaurant. A 20% tip is a good way to acknowledge exceptional service.
Tipping isn’t just a gesture of kindness. It’s about appreciating the restaurant staff’s hard work and acknowledging their service in making your dining experience memorable.
Many diners need clarification about the right tipping rate, especially after the pandemic and high inflation.
We’ve written this blog to clear the air around tipping at fine dining restaurants.
Tipping at Fine Dining Restaurants — Exceptions
| Parameter | Tip | Reason |
| Service charges included in your bill | Not needed unless the service exceeds your expectations | Some restaurants add a service charge of 18% or more. |
| Large groups | Not needed | For large groups, restaurants usually include a gratuity of 18% or more in the bill. Check your bill to see if this charge has been added. If it’s included, no extra tip is needed unless the service is exceptional. |
| Poor service | 10% | This lower tip shows that the service was lacking (slow or inattentive). Yet, it indicates that you acknowledge the effort. |
| Special occasions (birthdays or anniversaries) or private rooms | 20-25% | To acknowledge the additional attention and care given to you. |
| Cash tips for specific staff like sommeliers or maitre d’s in addition to the regular tip | You decide the amount | To acknowledge their outstanding service. For example, the sommelier provides excellent wine recommendations. |
Tipping Best Practices
Suggested Tips on the Bill
When you pay, the restaurant might show suggested tip amounts on the bill. These can be percentages (15% or 20%) or fixed amounts. You can choose one of these suggestions or add any amount you prefer.
Tipping Before or After Tax
Tip based on the amount before tax. Tax is a government charge and doesn’t go to the server. Tipping on the pre-tax amount ensures the server gets a fair reward for their work. If you prefer to tip on the total amount including tax, that’s fine, but not necessary.
Tipping on Full Tab vs. Individual Checks
For large groups, it’s simpler to tip on the total bill rather than splitting the tip based on each person’s portion. Dividing the tip can be confusing. Some people may pay with cash; others may use credit cards. Tipping on the full bill ensures the server is fairly compensated.
Tipping for Large Parties
Restaurants include an automatic tip of 18-20% for gatherings. The automatic tip ensures the server gets a fair reward for their tremendous effort.
Tipping with Credit Card vs. Cash
You can leave a tip using a credit card or cash. Cash tips reach the server immediately, while credit card tips might take a few days to be processed. Cash is often preferred because it is available straight away.
Tipping Policies
Some restaurants include service charges in their prices and do not expect additional tips. Others still welcome tips. Ask the restaurant about its tipping policy so you know whether to tip and how it supports its staff. If tipping is encouraged, the restaurant might explain how it benefits their employees.
Whom To Tip at a Fine Dining Restaurant?
| Restaurant Staff | How Much To Tip | Reason for Tipping |
| Your server | 18% of the bill | The server takes your order, serves your food and attends to your needs throughout the meal. A good tip acknowledges their hard work and dedication to making your dining experience pleasant and memorable. |
| Sommelier | 15-20% of the wine bill | A sommelier has extensive knowledge of wines and their pairings with different dishes. They recommend wines that complement your meal, enhancing the flavours and overall dining experience. Tipping them shows appreciation for their expertise and the added value they bring to your dining experience. |
| Maitre d’ | Nominal amount as you wish | The maitre d’ manages the dining room. They may accommodate special requests, handle reservations, and oversee the service staff. They coordinate the service and ensure everything runs smoothly. Tipping them acknowledges their role in orchestrating a seamless experience. |
| Coat Check Attendant | $1-$5 per coat | The coat check stores your belongings safely and returns promptly. Their service adds to your convenience and comfort by freeing you from carrying your coat around. A small tip shows appreciation for their attention to your items. |
| Valet | 15-20% | The valet parks and retrieves your car. They ensure your vehicle is safe. Their service saves you time and effort. Tipping the valet acknowledges their service and the convenience they provide. |
Whom Not To Tip at a Fine Dining Restaurant?
You don’t need to tip chefs and kitchen staff, restaurant managers, bussers, hosts/hostesses, and restroom attendants.
Many fine dining restaurants share tips among staff. For example, at a Apéritif Restaurant; Bali fine dining restaurant, the tips are usually shared among the chefs, kitchen staff, and bussers. The management and hosts/hostesses don’t expect tips. However, if you wish to, you can tip the restroom attendants a nominal amount.
