Gordon Ramsay has introduced a 20 per cent service charge for diners at his London restaurant Lucky Cat, reflecting the growing adoption of US-style tipping culture in the UK. The celebrity chef, aged 59, has applied this hefty charge to his Christmas and New Year menu at the venue located in 22 Bishopsgate.
Comparison with Other Ramsay Restaurants
Most of Ramsay's other establishments, including Savoy Grill and The River, currently apply a 15 per cent service charge. The regular a la carte menus at Lucky Cat also specify a 15 per cent charge, with the higher percentage reserved exclusively for festive menus. However, both rates exceed the typical 10 per cent or 12.5 per cent service charge added to bills at most UK restaurants.
Rivals' Charges
Ramsay's tips are even higher than those at his rivals' establishments. For example, Marco Pierre White's English Chophouse adds 12.5 per cent to bills, while Raymond Blanc's Brasserie Blanc, Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, and Rick Stein's Fish Restaurant all use a 12.5 per cent service charge.
The 20 per cent figure is more reflective of the tipping culture in the United States, where servers are paid minimal wages and rely on tips for the majority of their income. Increasingly, the standard tip in the US is 20 per cent, up from 15 per cent previously.
Cultural Debate on Tipping
Tourists who refuse to adhere to the US cultural norm of tipping have faced backlash from Americans, who consider under-tipping a major social taboo. The topic often sparks fierce debate, with Britons arguing that customers should not bear the extra charge and that restaurant owners should pay staff a living wage instead. Conversely, Americans maintain that refusing to tip the full amount could leave a server short of rent or money for food. They often argue that people should not dine out if they cannot afford a 20 per cent tip, but Britons and some Americans counter that this logic would exclude thousands of poorer families from eating out.
Trends Across the UK
Many high-end restaurants in London charge a 15 per cent service fee, with some increasing it to 20 per cent for large bookings or events. Even some pubs have introduced service charges for customers buying a pint of beer. For instance, pubs owned by the Scotsman Group in Scotland began levying an automatic two per cent service charge on drinks ordered at the bar in 2024. While this surprised some Brits, it is common practice in the US to pay a tip on each individual drink at a bar.
Daily Mail has reached out to Gordon Ramsay Restaurants for comment.
