How does tipping work in London?

Tipping in London is genuinely optional in a way it isn't in North America. In sit-down restaurants, check the bill first: most add a 12.5% "optional" or "discretionary" service charge automatically, and you are within your rights to ask for it removed if the service was poor. If no charge appears, 10-12% is standard for good service. At pubs, tipping on drinks is not expected — the traditional gesture is offering the bartender "one for yourself," meaning add a drink to your order and they pocket the cash equivalent, though many will simply decline. Black cab drivers expect rounding up to the nearest pound or two, not a percentage. Minicabs and Uber tips are welcome but not assumed. In hotels, a pound or two for a porter carrying bags is appropriate. For coffee shops and counter service, tip jars exist but nobody watches whether you use them.

Trip Friend knows London cold.

Plan a real trip there, and Trip Friend can answer every follow-up — with your dates, your style, and your places baked into the conversation.

• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in London?
• Where do locals drink coffee in London?
• What does a local breakfast look like in London?
• Where is the street food in London actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in London?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in London?