“It is not customary to tip at a continental breakfast that is served buffet-style,” Bergen says. “It is customary and appreciated to tip during breakfast when there is a server who takes your order or serves coffee and juice.”

Whether you should tip for hotel breakfast in 2026 depends largely on the style of service and the country you are in. If you are at a buffet where you serve yourself, a tip is not required, though leaving $2–$5 for the person who clears your plates and refills your coffee is a generous and appreciated gesture in the US. If you are ordering à la carte from a menu, you should tip as you would at any standard restaurant (typically 18–22% in North America). If the breakfast is "included" in your room rate, check your bill; many luxury hotels add an automatic "service charge." If they don't, it is a peer-to-peer recommendation to leave a small cash tip on the table. In countries like the UK, Japan, or much of Europe, tipping is not mandatory for breakfast, though rounding up the bill or leaving a small coin is common. In 2026, many hotels now include a digital "tip" option on their handheld payment terminals, making it easier to show appreciation for good service even if you aren't carrying cash.