Tipping in Italy: Handy Guide to the Do’s and Dont’s

Visiting a new country throws up many, many questions. Some are invigorating and remind us why we set our sights on a particular destination in the first place: Where should I stay? What should I see? Who might I meet?

And some are more practical and emphasize how adrift we can feel when arriving in a new place: How do I ask for directions? How do I use public transport? How much should I tip? Will it be too much? Or worse, will it be too little?

If you’ve ever found yourself deliberating over tipping or service charges in a foreign country, you probably promised to school yourself on the subject before your next adventure, and yet not all of us remember to do so.

So with that in mind, let’s talk tipping in Italy!

There’s no need to stress over tipping in Italy.

Is tipping expected in Italy?

First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.

As many of us like to tip – or are, at the very least, accustomed to doing so – it’s worth remembering that different etiquette applies depending on the service provided.

If you keep the following tips – yes, we said it – in mind, you will be covered on your next Italian adventure!

Cover and service charge in restaurants

If you’re enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner in Italy, and decide to leave a tip, the figure will depend on the terms of your receipt.

Many restaurants in Italy provide their patrons with bread and olive oil, and as a result, patrons will pay what is known as a coperto or a cover charge. The coperto goes to the restaurant itself, and not your individual server.

Do you tip in Italian restaurants?

If the service you received was good and ultimately enhanced your experience, you would be advised to round your bill up to the nearest ten. In these instances, locals tend to leave this as a cash tip specifically for their server.

If your receipt stipulates a service charge – servizio incluso – you should not feel obliged to add anything further. Check the menu before you order and if you don’t understand – simply ask if there’s a service charge so you know what to expect at a restaurant.

Before you calculate the tip at a restaurant in Italy, sit back and enjoy your meal.

Do Italians tip for coffee?

Many locals enjoy quickly drinking coffee at a cafe counter, and are likely to simply round off the price of their beverage after a quick caffeine fix.

So, for example, if your coffee cost 1.80 or 1.90 cent and you paid two Euros, leaving 10 or 20 cent on top of your receipt would be much appreciated. It really is as simple as that!

Avoid tipping using the “small” coins (€0.01 or €0.02) as it may look It looks like you’re cleaning your wallet instead of genuinely showing appreciation for great service.

Tipping in bars in Italy

Just like in cafes and coffee shops, tipping in bars is not expected in Italy, but leaving change for your server is not uncommon. Many locals tend to simply round off the bill, and leave the remainder for wait staff if they are satisfied with the service provided.

Remember, tipping in this instance can depend on how often a local frequents a particular bar and how familiar they are with the wait staff. As a visitor to the country, there is certainly no onus on you to tip per drink or leave a substantial extra after squaring your tab!

Insider’s tip: Don’t miss our article on how to drink like an Italian!

To tip or not to tip?

Tipping tour guides, taxi drivers and hotel porters

How much do you tip a tour guide in Italy?

Tipping tour guides can be tricky! Should you? Shouldn’t you? What’s the etiquette? Where do you stand?

In Italy, a good rule of thumb is to consider the duration of your tour. If you spent half a day or less on a tour, you might consider tipping your guide between five and 10 euro. If your experience was close to a day in length, a tip of 10 euro or so would be gratefully received.

But remember, your decision should depend purely on how impressed you were by your guide and the service provided, and you should never feel that you have to tip.

Tipping for a great tour is very much appreciated.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Italy?

When it comes to tipping taxi drivers in Italy, it’s pretty simple. Most locals simply round up, so if your fare comes to 18 euro, and you leave your taxi driver with 20 euro – that gesture would be very appreciated.

Should you tp your hotel porter?

What about if you want to tip your hotel porter? No problem! If you’ve experienced excellent service in your hotel, tipping is welcomed and appreciated. One euro per bag is a handy rule of thumb.

And if all else fails…

If you’re still unsure as to whether or not to tip, why not let a local lead you with their personal rule of thumb?

The following came courtesy of one of our Walks’ insiders in Rome:

“If the meal is €40 and we pay with a €50 bill, and the waiter gives us a €10 note as change, we won’t leave a €10 tip. So, no tip to the waiter! On the other hand, if the waiter gives back change with two €5 notes, we would consider giving a €5 tip!”

A word to the wise!

Update notice: This article was updated on July 13, 2023. 

Happy with restaurant etiquette, but unsure where to eat? Take our evening food tour in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood to discover some of our favorite restaurants, wine bars, and more in the city.