Start with “no” to a tip and service charge, and see where you negotiate the final position, based on service and quality of the experience. And pay no attention to the views of Americans, who seem to pay 20% tips for bugger all service.

No, it’s not a tip for the server. If it’s a tip it is labeled “gratuity” and in most instances may have to be paid entirely to the server or split among the staff. If it’s a service fee, that’s a baseline charge paid to the establishment that may or may not fund things like health insurance, employee, wages, and food order stability in an environment where prices fluctuate wildly and revenue based just on food sales would be inconsistent in covering supply costs.

Was at a restaurant last weekend and when the bill came it was $158. Put out our cards and when it returned, we were charged $163. Apparently that $158 was the deceptive cash price similar to the way gas stations trick you

If they add service charge then we won’t tip unless we have coins which we don’t want to carry with us. We do the same regardless if it’s a local restaurant or high end restaurant

The only way for you to know what that service charge funds is to ask. Every restaurant spends it differently, depending on their needs, but if it is not labeled “gratuity” you cannot assume any of it is a tip for the server and you should assume that if you don’t tip that you are stiffing the server, who likely still has to tip out a bartender, a bus person, or both and that another generous customer will have to make up the slack for what that server is taxed on.

To me it doesn’t matter what it’s called or who it goes to. It’s intentionally deceptive and I’m not giving the server anymore. I’m sorry. My favorite restaurant that’s run by a celebrity chef started doing this. I haven’t been back. I don’t NEED to eat out. I feel for the server. They should find other work. It’s more honest if they go for a no tip model stating so on the menus and that they pay a living wage. I’m over this. the owners are saying “there’s a sucker born every day, you’re it”

I can guarantee none of that is going to the server and now I’m never coming back and I’m putting zero in the tip line.

I DEFINATELY would not have paid it !!!

FYSA - In CA, the law requires that service charges and compulsory gratuities be explicitly disclosed AND that consumers understand the charges BEFORE ordering. You are able to “opt-out” of gratuities, unlike service charges. Using tiny fonts (as you indicated) or placing notices in obscure locations does not meet the standard for “complete & conspicuous” disclosure, and fails the “expressly informed” test (see Dimond v. Darden Restaurants, Inc. [2014]).

My general rule is a service charge is under 5%. If the service charge is 15-20% that is gratuity and anything additional is for great service