If you received good service, a tip is customary, as it's widely understood that Canadians tip. In sit-down restaurants, ?we've always said 15% is the minimum you should consider, and 10% is a bit insulting to the service,? says Lewena Bayer, civility expert and CEO of Civility Experts in Winnipeg.

In 2026, a 10% tip is generally considered poor or "below average" for sit-down restaurant service in Canada. While there is no legal mandate, the standard social expectation for "good" service has shifted to between 15% and 20% of the pre-tax bill. Tipping 10% may signal to the server that you were dissatisfied with the quality of food or the level of attention received. However, 10% is still perfectly acceptable for certain other services, such as taxis, food delivery, or simple counter-service where the interaction is brief. It is important to note that many Canadian servers are required to "tip out" a percentage of their total sales to support staff (like hostesses and kitchen crews), so a very low tip can sometimes mean the server effectively pays out of their own pocket to serve your table. When using card machines, you will likely see pre-set options starting at 15% or 18% as the baseline.

In Canada, tipping customs are similar to those in the United States, though expectations can be slightly more flexible. Here’s a breakdown:

General Tipping Norms in Canada

• Standard tip in restaurants is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill for good service.
• 10% is generally considered below average and may signal dissatisfaction with service, unless the service was notably poor.
• In many urban areas (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal), 18–20% is increasingly common for good service.

When Might 10% Be Viewed as “Bad”?

• Full-service restaurants – 10% is likely to be seen as low unless the server was inattentive or rude.
• Delivery drivers, taxis, hair stylists, etc. – 10% is on the low end but may be acceptable for average service.
• Takeout or counter service – Tipping is optional; 10% or rounding up is often fine.

Factors to Consider

• Provincial differences – Servers in Canada are generally paid at least minimum wage (unlike the lower tipped wage in parts of the U.S.), so tips supplement income but aren’t as critical for survival. However, many still rely on tips.
• Quality of service – If service was slow, incorrect, or unfriendly, 10% might reflect that.
• Group size – Some restaurants add automatic gratuity for large groups; check your bill.

Bottom Line

While 10% isn’t “unheard of,” it falls below the typical standard for sit-down restaurant service in Canada. If the service was adequate, 15% is a safe baseline. If it was exceptional, 18–20% is appreciated. If you leave 10%, the server may assume you were unhappy.

In short: Yes, 10% is generally considered a below-average tip in Canada for standard table service.