Tipping

Question

Our bill for dinner had the list of what we ate, a service charge for 20%, a spot for the tip and a list of tip amounts by percentage. We asked the waiter if the 20% service charge was a tip, he said yes but that tip is for all staff - cooks, busboys etc, The tip we add will be just for him. Is this normal practice in South Beach? Two tips?

Answer

Yes, what you described is fairly common in Miami Beach, especially in higher-end or busy restaurants. Many restaurants include a service charge on the bill, often around 18–20%, which is distributed among the entire staff including cooks, bussers, and other back-of-house employees. This ensures that everyone involved in creating your dining experience gets a share of the gratuity.

Here’s a breakdown of how it typically works:

Service charge: Usually 18–20%, automatically added to the bill. This is often split among all staff, not just your server.
Additional tip for server: Some restaurants leave a space on the bill for an extra tip, which is entirely optional. This goes directly to your server as a personal gratuity for service above and beyond.
Dual tipping is normal: In busy tourist areas like South Beach, it’s not unusual to see both a service charge and a line for an additional tip, though you are not required to add another if you feel the service charge already covers it.

Some additional tips and considerations:

If you are happy with your server and want to reward exceptional service, adding a small extra tip (5–10%) is appreciated but not mandatory.
Always check your bill carefully to see if the service charge is already labeled as “gratuity included.” If it says this, the extra tip is optional.
This system helps ensure fair compensation for all restaurant staff, especially in a busy city where servers often rely on tips for the majority of their income.

In short, yes, it is normal to have both a service charge and the option to tip the server personally in South Beach, but you can choose whether or not to add the extra tip based on your experience.

Tipping

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