Do you tip in Italy for dinner?

It is important to remember that everything is a give and take. Spoiler: Tipping is close to non-existent in Italy. A few euros here and there. That said, don't expect your waiter to stop by and ask you how things are going every 45 seconds and to refill your water every time you take a sip.



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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.

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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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Should I be tipping in Italy and if so, how much? Unlike the US or even the UK, Italy is not a country where a tip is expected.

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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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Yes, you do also have to pay for bread. This is the “pane e coperto” charge — more on what that is in a moment. Yes, you do have to pay for that antipasto or foccacia, even if the waiter offered it rather than you ordering it outright. And yes, you have to pay for that digestivo of limoncello or amaro or grappa.

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