8 Places Where Service Fees Have Replaced Tips Entirely

In more dining rooms around the world, the end of the meal is getting simpler. Instead of tip math, a service charge appears automatically, or service is priced in from the start. Sometimes the change is cultural, sometimes it is policy, and sometimes it is a restaurant’s choice to make pay steadier. Either way, it rewards a quick scan of the bill, because an extra gratuity can get added by habit. In the places below, the service fee is designed to be the final word.

London, England

In London, many full-service restaurants add a discretionary service charge, often around 12.5%, and plenty of locals treat that line as the tip. The smart habit is reading the receipt before the card machine appears, because a second tip prompt can still pop up by default. When the service charge is there, paying the total and moving on fits the city’s rhythm. It also helps to notice any note about where the charge goes, since policies vary by venue. If service truly missed the mark, diners can ask for the charge to be removed, but most nights it is accepted as the standard finish after dinner.

Paris, France

In Paris, service is typically included in the price, often shown as service compris, so the total feels settled before the check arrives. That structure changes the mood at the table. Instead of deciding a percentage, diners may leave a few euros for excellent service or simply round up, and nobody reads it as a requirement. The practical tip is to ignore card-terminal prompts that look imported from elsewhere, and to confirm there is no extra service line added on top in tourist-heavy rooms. It keeps payment calm, and it matches the French idea that hospitality is part of the bill, not a separate negotiation.

Rome, Italy

In Rome, tipping can feel confusing because the bill often includes charges that already cover the table and service. A coperto may appear as a per-person cover fee for bread and place settings, and some restaurants add a servizio of roughly 10 to 15% as a service charge. When that service line is present, many diners skip an additional tip and keep any extra gesture small and occasional. If the wording is unclear, asking the server what the charge represents is normal and usually answered plainly. The key is simple: read the bottom of the receipt before paying, since the label tells whether service has already been handled.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen keeps tipping quiet because it is not a strong tradition, and service is generally treated as part of the price. Tips are welcome only for unusually good service, not as a baseline expectation, so the bill usually lands without a percentage decision. When a venue does add a group service charge, it stands out precisely because it is not automatic everywhere. Most diners treat the posted price as the full cost of being looked after, then round up only if they feel like it. Cafés run the same way most days, and the checkout moment stays quick and clean.

Singapore

In Singapore, many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge to the bill, and tipping is generally not expected. That norm fits the city’s pay-and-go style: the receipt is itemized, the total is clear, and staff do not rely on a tip moment to finish the exchange. The detail that matters is where the meal happens. Hawker centers usually run on straightforward pricing with no service line, while sit-down places commonly include it. If a card terminal still asks for a tip, it is often just a generic setting, not a signal that more is required.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, a 10% service charge is commonly added in restaurants, which means the tip is usually already accounted for on the bill. The pace of dining here makes that clarity valuable. Meals move quickly, payment happens at the table, and guests can settle up without a long pause over percentages. Some people still round up in cash at casual spots, but in many full-service rooms the service charge is treated as complete. The only real habit needed is reading the bill, since a few places handle service differently, and card machines can still display a tip screen out of habit.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

In Dubai, many restaurant bills include a service charge automatically, and checking the receipt before adding anything extra is the safest habit. Because the dining scene ranges from mall cafés to hotel rooms, policies can vary, yet the service charge line is common enough that it often replaces tipping in practice. Another wrinkle is that some venues note the charge may go to the business rather than directly to staff, which is why guests sometimes choose a small, direct cash thanks when service was exceptional. Most of the time, though, the service fee is meant to close the meal without extra math.

Mainstream Cruise Ships

On many major cruise lines, gratuities are handled as an automatic daily service charge posted to the onboard account, replacing the need to tip after each meal. The amount can vary by line and cabin type, and additional automatic gratuities can also appear on drinks, spa services, or specialty dining. The result is a system where housekeeping, dining teams, and behind-the-scenes staff are covered through a set charge rather than an envelope routine. Passengers who prefer simplicity can treat the auto charge as the full thank-you, then keep any extra cash for rare moments that truly stand out.