Do you tip in Como?

Italians don't always leave a tip, and if they do, it's not a large amount. In other words, here in Italy, an automatic, generous tip isn't given like it is in the United States. But, if you've received exceptional service, feel free to leave a tip!



Tipping in Lake Como, and Italy in general, is not mandatory and is not expected in the same way it is in North America, but it is appreciated as a gesture of gratitude for exceptional service. In many restaurants around Lake Como, you will see a charge on the bill called coperto (a cover charge for bread and table setting) or servizio (service charge). If servizio is included, no further tip is necessary. If it is not, a common practice is to "round up" the bill or leave a few Euros—usually about 5% to 10% of the total for a nice dinner. In casual cafes or bars, it is customary to just leave the small change. For other services like hotel porters, a tip of €1 per bag is standard, and for private boat tours—which are popular in Como—a tip of €10 to €20 for the captain is a kind gesture if they provided a great experience. Always try to tip in cash (Euros), as many Italian credit card machines do not have an option to add a gratuity.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.

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As mentioned above, waitstaff in Italy get paid a living wage and there's no cultural expectation of tipping. However, if you're so inclined to leave a little thank you for a job well done, no one is going to stop you. In fact, the cash will be appreciated.

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What is the rule for tipping in Italy? There is no strict rule about tipping in Italy. Leaving a tip is a courteous gesture that shows the person who provided a service to you, that you appreciated their help. As such, leaving a tip is entirely up to you and, in many cases, it will not be expected, albeit appreciated.

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What is the rule for tipping in Italy? There is no strict rule about tipping in Italy. Leaving a tip is a courteous gesture that shows the person who provided a service to you, that you appreciated their help. As such, leaving a tip is entirely up to you and, in many cases, it will not be expected, albeit appreciated.

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If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service.

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The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.

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Tipping in Italy is not compulsory, in fact the majority of Italians don't generally tip huge amounts, that's if they tip at all. But, as tourists, you will be expected to leave a tip in Italian restaurants, when touring with a guide or taking a taxi ride.

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At bars in Europe, tips are not customary, but leaving change or a few euros is always appreciated, if not expected. For takeaway food or drinks, counter dining, or stand-up service, tips are also not customary.

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This is especially true when it's time for the bill since it's considered disrespectful to bring up payment (and hint at the fact that you should free up the table). When you're ready to go, just wave at the waiter the universally recognized squiggly line of a signature – they'll be with you in moments!

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  • Eating Chicken with Pasta.
  • Serving Everything on the Same Plate.
  • Ketchup.
  • Drinking a Cappuccino After a Meal.
  • Asking for Non-Italian Dishes.
  • Sprinkling Parmesan on Everything.
  • Dipping Bread into Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Drinking Anything Other Than Water or Wine With Food.


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In theory, official galateo (etiquette) rules dictate that pizza should always be eaten with fork and knife only, except when it's “pizza al taglio”, i.e. “by the slice”, which is meant as street food and can be eaten directly with hands.

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