Tipping and sales tax at New York City restaurants (2026)

Tipping in New York is customary and, in table-service restaurants, close to mandatory in practice, because servers earn a lower cash wage and rely on tips. Sales tax is added to the menu price, so the total is higher than it looks. Tip about 18 to 20 percent and read the check for a service charge, and you have the custom covered.

How much should you tip at a restaurant in New York City?

A tip of about 18 to 20 percent is typical at a table-service restaurant, and more for excellent service. Tip on the total of the check, which most people do, or on the pre-tax amount, a smaller difference. For a bar, a dollar or two per drink or 15 to 20 percent of the tab is common.

What is the quick way to work out a tip?

The sales tax in New York City is 8.875 percent. Many card machines suggest tip amounts, and you can choose a different one. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill before you add a tip.

What is sales tax on a restaurant meal?

The combined state and city sales tax on prepared food is 8.875 percent, shown as a separate line on the check. The menu price does not include it. If you are unsure what was taxed, ask or look at the receipt.

What is a service charge or an included gratuity?

Some restaurants add a service charge or gratuity to the check, especially for large groups and in areas with many visitors, such as around Times Square. For larger groups with an automatic gratuity, you do not need to tip extra. Read the check before you add a tip, and ask the server what the charge covers.

Who gets the tip?

In most restaurants, servers share tips with bussers, runners and bartenders through a tip pool or tip-out. The rules about who may share are set by state and federal law. A tip you add on the card goes to the staff, not the owner, so it is fair to tip at the point of service. If a restaurant adds a service charge that is not distributed to staff, it must say so.

How do you split the check?

Tell the server at the start of the meal, not at the end. Some restaurants will split a check by seat, and some will not, or will cap the number of cards. A shared app can make it easier. Each person should account for tax and tip on their share. If one person pays and others reimburse, use a transfer app so the tip is not lost.

What about counters, delivery and takeout?

At a counter, tipping is optional but common for made-to-order food. For delivery, tip around 15 to 20 percent, or more in bad weather or for a long route. For takeout, a tip is not required. Always check how the screen suggests a tip, because some screens begin with high amounts, and you can choose a custom number.

How does tipping differ for visitors from abroad?

In many countries tipping is small or included, so the American practice can feel strange. Here, servers and bartenders are paid a lower cash wage on the assumption that tips make up the rest, and the tip is a major part of their income. That is why the custom is so firm. If your service was poor, speak to the manager, but leaving nothing without a reason is seen as rude. Visitors should check whether the restaurant has added a service charge before tipping, which is common in tourist areas. If you are unsure, ask the server: it is a common question and they will not mind.

What should you do if the check looks wrong?

Check the items, the tax and any charges before paying. If a charge is unclear, ask politely. If you believe you were overcharged, ask the manager, and keep the receipt. For a card payment, you can dispute a charge with your card issuer. In New York, consumer complaints can also be made to the city's consumer protection department. Most mistakes are honest, and a calm question usually resolves them.

Remember that customs shift over time and between restaurants. Some places have tried service-included pricing, and some use counter screens that prompt for a tip even when nobody has waited on you. You are free to choose a smaller amount or none in those cases. Check the signs at the register, and tip according to the service you receive.

The check is the best place to start. Look for a service charge, which some restaurants add for large parties or at set menus, and check whether a tip has already been included before you add one. If you are paying by card, the machine may suggest amounts, and you can enter your own. Tip on the pre-tax amount if you prefer, or on the total, which is simpler. If the service was poor, speak to the manager first. At a counter, a tip is a courtesy, and in a restaurant it is a large part of a worker's income.

How do you remember the places worth tipping well?

Good service stays in the memory, and so does the dish it came with. In the Mosey app, rate the dish by name and add a line of notes, such as lovely server or fast at lunch, so the places that looked after you are easy to find again. Keep them in a list, share it with the friends who ask where to go, and follow friends whose taste you trust. A note written at the table is more useful than one you try to recall a month later.

Rate your next New York meal in the Mosey app and keep the list for your next trip.

More guides to read next:

• Manhattan Chinatown food guide: dim sum, dumplings and bakeries
• East Village food guide: Little Ukraine, St. Marks and 6th Street
• Upper West Side food guide: gourmet grocery, smoked fish, Columbus

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