Tapas and Tips: How to navigate the tipping culture in Madrid and beyond.
You are in a restaurant, cafe, or bar, and your bill arrives at your table and you’re not sure what do to about the tip. Do you give one at all? How much do you give?
Tipping in Madrid (and Spain) is not mandatory as it might be in some other countries, such as the United States. However, it’s still appreciated as a gesture of gratitude for good service. In Spain, wages for service staff are generally higher, and tipping is seen as a bonus rather than a necessity.
Here are some top tips from members of the Eat Out Madrid community to help you on your way.
Tipping Guidelines for Food and Drink
Restaurants:
- Round-Up: Rounding up the bill as a sign of appreciation. For example, if your bill is €37, rounding up to €40 is a polite gesture.
- Service Charge: Check if the bill includes a service charge (called “servicio” or “servicio incluido”). If this charge is included, tipping is not needed but you can still leave a little extra for great service.
- Exceptional Service: If you received exceptional service or had a particularly enjoyable dining experience, it has been suggested to leave around 5–10% of the total bill is a nice gesture.
Bars and Cafés:
- Small Change: When ordering drinks at a bar or café, leave small change (such as coins) as a tip. For example, if your coffee costs €1.80, leaving €2 or slightly more is a nice thing to do, especially if you plan yo make it your local.
- Round-Up: Similar to restaurants, rounding up the bill to the nearest euro is a simple way to tip.
Practical Tips for Tipping in Madrid
- Carry Cash: While credit cards are widely accepted in Madrid, having some cash on hand for tipping is convenient, especially in smaller places where card payments might not be accepted for small amounts or they only take cash (yes, this is still a thing in some places).
- Observe Local Customs: Take cues from locals. If you notice others leaving tips, it’s a good indication that tipping is appreciated at that particular place.
- Acknowledge Good Service: If you received exceptional service, don’t hesitate to express your thanks with a generous tip. It’s a great way to show appreciation and encourage continued excellence.
- Don’t Feel Obligated: Tipping in Madrid is not obligatory, so don’t feel pressured to leave a tip if you didn’t receive satisfactory service. However, if the service was good, leaving a tip is a nice gesture.
What to do if you can’t leave a tip (but want to)?
There may be times when you can’t afford to leave a tip or you simply don’t have any cash on you to leave. Here are some simple things you can do to say thank you that cost nothing,
- Leave them a review on Google: A review can go a long way. Google Maps is often used by many to look for places to eat and drink so your contribution will not only be valued by others searching but also is great for the place to know they are doing well.
- Tag them in a social post: Took pictures of your meal? Share them in a post or story and tag them. This allows them to reshare it and helps them build a good reputation
- Reach out directly and say thank you: A simple thank you and you’ll be back again allows you to extend the thanks and no doubt they will be happy to see your message.
In Madrid, tipping for food and drink is a way to acknowledge good service and show appreciation for a pleasant dining or drinking experience. While not obligatory, leaving a tip, even a small one, is a gesture that’s often welcomed by service staff. By understanding the local customs and following these practical tips, you can navigate tipping culture in Madrid with ease, enhancing your overall enjoyment of the city’s culinary delights.
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