🇫🇷France · Café / Coffee Shop
How much to tip at a café in France (2026 Guide)
Tipping at a café in France is appreciated. Round up or leave 20–50 centimes per drink.
AppreciatedCash preferred
Round up or leave 20–50 centimes per drink
Tipping calculator
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Cultural notes
Café tipping in France is the classic pourboire moment — leave a few coins in the saucer or on the table, never a percentage. For a single espresso, 20–50 cents; for a longer sit with multiple drinks, €1–2. Cash is essential — there is nowhere to add a small coin tip on a card. Pour the change back into the saucer when leaving, do not hand it to the server.
Common mistakes
Leaving paper notes or a US-style percentage — coins are correct and expected.
Frequently asked questions
Do I tip for a single espresso?
20–50 cents in the saucer is the classic gesture; nothing is also fine.
Cash or card?
Cash — small change in the saucer is the tradition.
Tipping other services in France
- Sit-down restaurant€0 required (service compris); €1–5 per person or 5–10% for good service
- Counter / takeaway€0 — not customary
- BarRound up or leave 50¢–€1 per drink at the bar
- Housekeeping€2–5 per night, left in the room
- Porter€1–2 per bag
- Concierge€5–20 for a real favour
- TaxiRound up to nearest euro, or up to 5%
- RideshareOptional — €1–2 or round up via app
- Food delivery€1–2 in app or cash; more for difficult deliveries
- Grocery delivery€1–2 in cash; not expected
- Hairdresser€2–10, or roughly 5–10% for a longer service
- Spa5–10% if not already added
- Tour guide€5–10 per person group; €20+ private; €5–10 per person for free walking tours
- Tattoo artist€0 — not customary; 10–15% if you do tip
- Valet€1–2 on return; €5+ at luxury hotels
- Airport baggage€1 per bag if you use a porter (rare)
- Busker€1–5 if you stopped to listen
- Movers€10–20 per mover, or €5 per hour each
- Tradesperson€0 — not customary
Tipping at a café in nearby countries
Last verified: · Sources: secretsofparis.com, afar.com