Like most other Canadian cities, tipping culture is a big topic of discussion in Toronto. Whether you’re heading out to a bar, dining in a restaurant, or grabbing a coffee, knowing when and how much to tip can save you from awkward moments when it comes time to settle the bill.
In Toronto, tipping is technically discretionary, but in reality, it’s often expected. Restaurants, hotels, taxis, and bars are the most common places where leaving a gratuity is considered standard practice. Even when service is just okay, locals usually leave something to acknowledge the effort.
Here’s where it gets daunting: when you go to pay, the screen usually flashes suggested tip options of 18%, 20%, 22%, or even 25%. What makes it worse is that, unlike Quebec, in Ontario, it’s calculated on the post-tax amount.
So, if you’ve ever felt pressure to click one of those, you’re not alone.
However, according to Wise, a leading financial technology company that examined local habits, you should actually be tipping much lower than that.
Here’s what they recommend you tip, depending on where you are and what service you’re paying for.
Bars, cafes & restaurants
In Toronto restaurants, Wise says the standard tip is usually between 10% and 15% of your bill. The exact amount depends on the place, the occasion, and the size of your order. They say servers often receive a slightly higher tip than bartenders, as they typically share their tips with kitchen staff. On a $100 meal, a tip of $10 or $15 is the norm, not the $20 or $25 the machine might suggest.
At bars and cafes, tipping is slightly more relaxed. According to Wise, many people round their bill to the next significant amount or leave a small tip with each drink. That means if you order a $10 drink, leaving $1 to $2 is considered fair.
Hotels
If you’re staying in a Toronto hotel, Wise says it’s standard practice to tip between 10% and 20% depending on the service level.
At higher-end hotels, you’ll likely want to tip different staff, as follows:
- Housekeeping: Between $5 and $10 per day.
- Luggage attendants/porters: $1 per bag.
- Concierge/receptionist: Between $10 and $15 for exceptional help.
- Valets: Between $5 and $10 each time your car is retrieved from the parking lot.
Taxis
Wise recommends planning to tip around 10% for longer journeys, especially if the taxi driver assists with luggage.
For short rides, most people round up to the nearest dollar. For example, on a $50 cab ride, you’d leave about $5; on a $7.50 ride, rounding up to $8 is fine (50c tip).
Spas & treatments
Even at spas, tips are customary, according to Wise. They recommend that a 10% to 15% gratuity is standard for massage or treatment services. So, if you spend $100 on a massage, you’d tip $10 for average service, or $15 if your therapist really went above and beyond.
Toronto’s tipping culture is flexible and less intimidating than the payment screen might suggest. Stick to 10%–15% at restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, modest tips for hotel staff, and around 10% for taxis and spa services. You’ll be respecting local customs without overspending.
So, next time you’re out in Toronto, remember: tipping is mostly expected, but it’s usually less than you think.
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