How does tipping work in Rome?

Tipping in Rome is genuinely optional, not a social obligation disguised as a custom. Locals rarely tip at all, and no one will chase you down the street if you don't. At a sit-down restaurant, rounding up the bill or leaving a euro or two per person is perfectly appropriate and appreciated — 10% would be generous and slightly out of place. Be aware that most restaurants charge a coperto, a cover charge of roughly €1.50–€3 per person that appears automatically on the bill; that is not a tip and goes to the house. At a bar (meaning any café), Italians stand at the counter, pay for their espresso, and leave nothing extra. If you sit down, you'll pay a premium for the seat — tipping on top of that is unnecessary. Taxi drivers are happy if you round up to the nearest euro. Hotel housekeeping responds well to €1–€2 left on the pillow daily.

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