Tipping in Amsterdam: How much to tip in restaurants, bars and cafes
Tipping abroad can be confusing, especially when you’re on a whirl-winded European trip that takes you into and out of different countries with different customs. Often travelers tip too much, or to little, and rarely the right amount at the right time.
How much should you tip in Amsterdam? Learn from the locals and follow these general guidelines:
Hospitality has a healthy wage
The restaurant and hospitality industry in the Netherlands represents a well-paid group of workers. They’re usually students, and if they’re considerably older chances are they own the place.
Regardless, minimum wage at cafes, restaurants and bars is well above that in North America (usually more than double), so servers do not live off of tips. In fact, many don’t expect anything beyond coins left on the table. Hence the lack of fast, positive and friendly customer service here: They’re simply doing their job.
Ten percent rule for nice restaurants
Eating out, for the Dutch, isn’t as common as it is in North America. It’s not as cheap (due to low demand), and the idea of a restaurant is reserved for special occasions (friends in town, celebrations, etc.).
Knowing that, don’t expect happy hours, “early bird” specials or daily deals. And if you find them, chances are it’s a tourist restaurant (which is not a bad option if you’re looking for a cheap dinner). Authentic, delicious dishes are reserved for cafes with three-course meals, charming canal-side ambiance and patient customers who take their time when dining.
For a tip at these fine dine establishments, hover around the 10 percent mark. It’s easy math, and the fine dining experience justifies the little extra spent on a tip.
Not one buck at the bar
When ordering any drink at a bar or a café, don’t tip. It might feel wrong at first and it takes some getting used to. But unless you’re at a high-end cocktail bar, servers only expect a little extra tip if it benefits the team. (Most places pool tips and split after a day, a week, a month; or they save up yearly and splurge on a party.)
If you’re a group of two or more sitting down for a drink, and you feel guilty for not throwing something on the side, the general rule is this: Take the total and round up to the nearest euro. It might be a mere 30 cents, but it will relieve the server from fishing around for change (and they’ll be thankful).
“Going Dutch”
One joke I heard from an expat about her dating experience with the Dutch summed it up pretty well: “The Dutch are like birds… cheap, cheap, cheap!” Alright it’s not that bad, but most Dutchies know they have a culture that leans on the thrifty side of life. The term “going Dutch” has a hint of truth, although many locals will say this view is long passe.
Regardless, I’d be fibbing if I said I’ve never split the bill with my local buddies. That’s how it usually goes even on dates, even for one round of Heineken. I’ve even received emails and Facebook messages with bank account details so I could transfer them an easy €10! So, relax and don’t be afraid to split the bill!
Final “tip”
Simply put, go easy on the tipping. If you really want to impress a server with generosity, cover the entire bill for your party, and have someone else worry about the tip!
Note: This goes for tipping in drinking and dining establishments only. Hotels, tour guides, taxi drivers and the like have their own tipping tradition, which will be covered in a later post.
For additional “tips” on what to see and do in Amsterdam, click here.
Don’t tip in the Netherlands. Literally no ones does it.
Source: I am Dutch.
This is only true for people from the countryside. In the bigger city’s, so in this example Amsterdam, we tip almost always. ALSO in bars. Why you might ask? Well: living prices are much higher in Amsterdam in comparison to smaller villages, but wages are nationally set (with only minor differences). This means that in Amsterdam, sadly, bartenders partially rely on tips to be able to get by.
Wow. Literally no one does it? Most Dutch people tip at least 5%. I myself always tip 10%. We make more than in the US, but calling it a living wage is ridiculous. In most places the wage is minimum. That pays the rent and buys you some food, but very little beyond that. Be a cheap f&#$ if you want, but don’t talk other people out of tipping. Could you take 30% pay cut and be fine? Because that is what people like you have managed to do to thousands of hard working people in the service industry. I am thinking about quitting bartending because I can no longer make ends meet since American tourists have stopped tipping almost entirely.
Just been in Holland for a few days and haven’t found your comment below to be true. We’ve been out of Amsterdam & found the service to be very friendly & helpful, translating menus & suggesting local dishes. Great country.
“Hence the lack of fast, positive and friendly customer service here: They’re simply doing their job.”
When visiting Amsterdam do tip. Sure you can get away with leaving 30 cents to your lovely waitress who took care of you with suggestions, a smile and who even laughed at your jokes but if you’re planning to revisit her she’ll be “just doing her job” because she knows you’re cheap after the 30 cent insult.
“Oh! Your drinks are taking very long to come? Let me check!” So, you didn’t leave a buck at the bar with your last visit…. Well do expect that friendly young man to focus on someone who will possibly tip rather then to serve your sorry ass. Sure you’ll get your drink. Right after I’ve served the rest of the terrace.
The pay for Dutch service-workers is minimal, meaning it pays for their healthcare,their rent and usually that leaves enough for some relatively healthy food. But that’s it. So 20% might not be necessary, although the girl will be friendlier and your drinks will be stronger and arrive faster next time if you do, but 10-15% depending on how high end you eat or drink is somewhat expected in Amsterdam.
Just because you’re not legally obliged doesn’t mean you need to be cheap. Have a great time in Amsterdam!