Published on 29 January 2024 Last updated on 2 July 2026
Planning a trip to New York? Then it’s a good idea to understand how tipping works before you go. While tipping is often optional in Europe, it is an important part of the service culture in New York. In many cases, service workers rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how much to tip in restaurants, bars, hotels, taxis, Uber, coffee shops, and on guided tours. I’ll also explain what terms like Gratuity Included and Suggested Tip mean, so you’ll never end up tipping too much—or too little.
Overview: How Much Should You Tip in New York?
Situation
Typical Tip
Restaurant
18% to 20%
Bar
$1 to $2 per drink
Fast food
Not required
Coffee shop
Optional, usually $1
Taxi
15% to 20%
Uber & Lyft
15% to 20%
Hotel bellhop
$2 to $3 per bag
Hotel housekeeping
$2 to $5 per night
Room service
Around 15% (check the bill)
Tour guide
$5 to $10 per person
Why Is Tipping So Important in New York?
Many hospitality workers in the United States earn a lower base wage than their counterparts in Europe. As a result, tips make up an important part of their income. For Americans, tipping isn’t an extra reward—it’s considered a normal part of paying for a service.
If you don’t leave a tip when one is expected, it may be seen as impolite. This is especially true in tourist destinations like New York, where leaving an appropriate tip is expected in almost every service situation.
How Much Should You Tip in New York?
1. Tipping in Restaurants
A tip of 18% to 20% is now the standard in most restaurants. If you receive exceptional service, it’s common to leave a little more.
Always check your bill first. In some restaurants—especially those serving larger groups or located in tourist areas—the gratuity may already be included automatically.
What Does "Gratuity Included" Mean?
If you see “Gratuity Included,” “Tip Included,” or “Automatic Gratuity” on your bill, it means the tip has already been added, so there’s no need to leave an additional tip.
Always check your bill before paying to avoid accidentally tipping twice.
Why Are There Multiple Tip Percentages on the Bill?
At many restaurants, you’ll see several suggested tip amounts at the bottom of your bill, such as:
18%
20%
22%
These are simply suggested gratuity amounts. You’re always free to decide how much you want to tip.
2. Tipping at Fast Food Restaurants
At fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s or Shake Shack, tipping is not expected.
Sometimes you’ll see a tip jar or the payment terminal may ask if you’d like to leave a tip. This is completely optional, and you can skip it without any problem.
3. Tipping at Bars
If you’re ordering a beer or a glass of wine at the bar, it’s customary to tip $1 to $2 per drink.
If you’re ordering cocktails or several drinks at once, a tip of around 20% of the bill is a good guideline.
4. Tipping at Coffee Shops
At coffee shops such as Starbucks or local cafés, you’ll often see a tip jar or a tipping option on the payment terminal.
Tipping isn’t required, but leaving $1 is generally appreciated. This is especially common at smaller, independent coffee shops where the service is more personal.
For free walking tours, a higher tip is generally expected. A good guideline is $10 to $20 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour.
Do You Need to Tip for Takeout or Food Delivery?
If you’re picking up food from a restaurant, tipping isn’t required, although some people choose to leave a small amount.
If you’re ordering food through services such as Uber Eats or DoorDash, it’s customary to tip 10% to 20% of the order total.
Should You Tip for Poor Service?
Even if the service isn’t great, it’s still common to leave a tip in New York. For below-average service, many people reduce the tip to around 10% to 15%. Only in cases of genuinely poor service—such as being treated rudely or experiencing serious problems—do some people choose not to tip at all.
If the food wasn’t good but your server was friendly and helpful, it’s generally considered unfair to penalize the server. In that case, leaving a normal tip is still the customary approach.
Is Tipping Mandatory?
No. Legally, tipping is not mandatory.
However, in practice, it is expected in most situations. Because many service workers rely on tips as part of their income, tipping is considered a normal part of etiquette in New York.
Cash or Card?
At almost all restaurants, you can simply add the tip when paying by credit card.
For hotel staff, bellhops, street performers, and small coffee shops, cash is often more convenient. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a few one-dollar bills with you.
My experience with tipping in New York
Having visited New York regularly for several years, I’ve seen firsthand that tipping is simply part of everyday life. In restaurants, you’ll often find suggested tip percentages printed directly on the bill. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and bartenders also commonly ask if you’d like to add a tip. It quickly becomes clear that tipping is an expected and essential part of the city’s service culture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in New York
How much should you tip at a restaurant in New York?
Typically 18% to 20% of the bill.
Should you tip your Uber driver?
Yes. A tip of around 15% to 20% is customary.
Should you tip at Starbucks?
No. It’s completely optional.
When don’t you need to leave a tip?
When your bill states “Gratuity Included,” “Tip Included,” or “Automatic Gratuity.”
My Tips
Always check whether the gratuity has already been included on the bill.
Use 18% to 20% as your standard tip in restaurants.
Carry a few one-dollar bills with you at all times.
Don’t forget to tip hotel staff.
Leave a little extra if you’ve received exceptional service.
By following these guidelines, you’ll know exactly how much to tip in New York and avoid any surprises during your city trip.
New York Info
Hi, I'm Edward, a passionate New York enthusiast. Over the past several years, I've visited the city multiple times and explored it from north to south. On New York Info, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and honest recommendations to help you plan your trip to New York. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.
Disclaimer: The New York Info website contains affiliate links. If you book tours, hotels, or tickets through some of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect the content or the recommendations I share in my articles.
About New York Info
Hi, I’m Edward, a passionate New York enthusiast with years of experience exploring the city. Over the past 15 years, I’ve visited New York many times and explored it from north to south. On New York Info, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and honest recommendations to help you plan your trip to New York City. Have a question? Feel free to send me an email.
How much should you tip in New York?
Planning a trip to New York? Then it’s a good idea to understand how tipping works before you go. While tipping is often optional in Europe, it is an important part of the service culture in New York. In many cases, service workers rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how much to tip in restaurants, bars, hotels, taxis, Uber, coffee shops, and on guided tours. I’ll also explain what terms like Gratuity Included and Suggested Tip mean, so you’ll never end up tipping too much—or too little.
Overview: How Much Should You Tip in New York?
Why Is Tipping So Important in New York?
Many hospitality workers in the United States earn a lower base wage than their counterparts in Europe. As a result, tips make up an important part of their income. For Americans, tipping isn’t an extra reward—it’s considered a normal part of paying for a service.
If you don’t leave a tip when one is expected, it may be seen as impolite. This is especially true in tourist destinations like New York, where leaving an appropriate tip is expected in almost every service situation.
How Much Should You Tip in New York?
1. Tipping in Restaurants
A tip of 18% to 20% is now the standard in most restaurants. If you receive exceptional service, it’s common to leave a little more.
Always check your bill first. In some restaurants—especially those serving larger groups or located in tourist areas—the gratuity may already be included automatically.
What Does "Gratuity Included" Mean?
If you see “Gratuity Included,” “Tip Included,” or “Automatic Gratuity” on your bill, it means the tip has already been added, so there’s no need to leave an additional tip.
Always check your bill before paying to avoid accidentally tipping twice.
Why Are There Multiple Tip Percentages on the Bill?
At many restaurants, you’ll see several suggested tip amounts at the bottom of your bill, such as:
These are simply suggested gratuity amounts. You’re always free to decide how much you want to tip.
2. Tipping at Fast Food Restaurants
At fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s or Shake Shack, tipping is not expected.
Sometimes you’ll see a tip jar or the payment terminal may ask if you’d like to leave a tip. This is completely optional, and you can skip it without any problem.
3. Tipping at Bars
If you’re ordering a beer or a glass of wine at the bar, it’s customary to tip $1 to $2 per drink.
If you’re ordering cocktails or several drinks at once, a tip of around 20% of the bill is a good guideline.
4. Tipping at Coffee Shops
At coffee shops such as Starbucks or local cafés, you’ll often see a tip jar or a tipping option on the payment terminal.
Tipping isn’t required, but leaving $1 is generally appreciated. This is especially common at smaller, independent coffee shops where the service is more personal.
5. Tipping at Hotels
Tipping is also a normal part of staying at hotels in New York.
The usual amounts are:
Leave the housekeeping tip separately each day, as the staff often changes from one day to the next.
6. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft
For taxis, it’s customary to tip 15% to 20% of the fare.
If you’re using Uber or Lyft, you can easily add a tip through the app after your ride. A tip of 15% to 20% is also the standard.
If the driver helped with heavy luggage or provided exceptional service, it’s considerate to leave a slightly higher tip.
7. Tours and Tour Guides
If you’re joining a paid tour or excursion, it’s customary to tip $5 to $10 per person.
For free walking tours, a higher tip is generally expected. A good guideline is $10 to $20 per person, depending on the length and quality of the tour.
Do You Need to Tip for Takeout or Food Delivery?
If you’re picking up food from a restaurant, tipping isn’t required, although some people choose to leave a small amount.
If you’re ordering food through services such as Uber Eats or DoorDash, it’s customary to tip 10% to 20% of the order total.
Should You Tip for Poor Service?
Even if the service isn’t great, it’s still common to leave a tip in New York. For below-average service, many people reduce the tip to around 10% to 15%. Only in cases of genuinely poor service—such as being treated rudely or experiencing serious problems—do some people choose not to tip at all.
If the food wasn’t good but your server was friendly and helpful, it’s generally considered unfair to penalize the server. In that case, leaving a normal tip is still the customary approach.
Is Tipping Mandatory?
No. Legally, tipping is not mandatory.
However, in practice, it is expected in most situations. Because many service workers rely on tips as part of their income, tipping is considered a normal part of etiquette in New York.
Cash or Card?
At almost all restaurants, you can simply add the tip when paying by credit card.
For hotel staff, bellhops, street performers, and small coffee shops, cash is often more convenient. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a few one-dollar bills with you.
My experience with tipping in New York
Having visited New York regularly for several years, I’ve seen firsthand that tipping is simply part of everyday life. In restaurants, you’ll often find suggested tip percentages printed directly on the bill. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and bartenders also commonly ask if you’d like to add a tip. It quickly becomes clear that tipping is an expected and essential part of the city’s service culture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in New York
How much should you tip at a restaurant in New York?
Typically 18% to 20% of the bill.
Should you tip your Uber driver?
Yes. A tip of around 15% to 20% is customary.
Should you tip at Starbucks?
No. It’s completely optional.
When don’t you need to leave a tip?
When your bill states “Gratuity Included,” “Tip Included,” or “Automatic Gratuity.”
My Tips
By following these guidelines, you’ll know exactly how much to tip in New York and avoid any surprises during your city trip.
New York Info
Hi, I'm Edward, a passionate New York enthusiast. Over the past several years, I've visited the city multiple times and explored it from north to south. On New York Info, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and honest recommendations to help you plan your trip to New York. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.
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Disclaimer: The New York Info website contains affiliate links. If you book tours, hotels, or tickets through some of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect the content or the recommendations I share in my articles.
About New York Info
Hi, I’m Edward, a passionate New York enthusiast with years of experience exploring the city. Over the past 15 years, I’ve visited New York many times and explored it from north to south. On New York Info, I share my personal experiences, practical tips, and honest recommendations to help you plan your trip to New York City. Have a question? Feel free to send me an email.
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