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Breakfast and Brunch in NYC: The Best Spots to Start Your Day

In New York, breakfast is never just the first meal of the day — it's an event, a ritual, and sometimes the main reason to get out of bed on a weekend. From classic diners that have served the same egg-and-coffee combo for decades to buzzy brunch spots where the line forms before noon, the city does morning food like nowhere else. Whether you want a quick bagel on the go or a leisurely two-hour brunch, here's how to start your day right in NYC. The classic New York diner breakfast No breakfast tour of New York is complete without a diner. These all-day institutions — with their vinyl booths, bottomless coffee, and laminated menus the length of a novel — are scattered across every borough. Order eggs any style with home fries and toast, or go big with pancakes and a side of bacon. The charm is in the no-frills consistency: a good diner breakfast is fast, filling, and rarely costs much. Neighborhoods like the Upper West Side and parts of Brooklyn still have beloved ...
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NYC Tipping Calculator: How Much to Tip in New York City

Tipping in the United States can be one of the most confusing parts of a trip to New York, especially for visitors from countries where it is not customary. In NYC, tipping is not optional in most situations — service workers rely on it as a core part of their income. Use the calculator below to work out the right amount for restaurants, bars, taxis, hotels and more, then read on for a plain-English guide to who you tip and how much.

NYC Tip Calculator

Estimates for guidance only. Standard NYC practice is shown; adjust up for excellent service or large groups (many restaurants add an automatic gratuity for parties of 6 or more).

How Much to Tip in NYC: A Quick Guide

At sit-down restaurants, the long-standing standard is 18 to 20 percent of the pre-tax total, and 20 percent is now the norm for good service. A fast way to estimate it is to double the New York sales tax shown on your check, which runs at 8.875 percent, giving you roughly 18 percent. For bars, a dollar or two per drink, or 15 to 20 percent on a tab, is expected.

For taxis and rideshares, 15 to 20 percent is typical, and the in-cab payment screens will usually suggest amounts. Hotel housekeeping is commonly 3 to 5 dollars per night left daily, and a bellhop who carries bags gets a dollar or two per bag. At nail salons, barbers, and spas, plan on 15 to 20 percent.

Who You Don't Need to Tip

You generally do not tip at fast-food or self-service counters, though a tip jar is always optional. There is no obligation to tip the staff at a coffee counter where you order and carry your own cup, although many people round up or drop in their change. Government and transit workers, including subway staff, are never tipped.

Why Tipping Matters in New York

In New York State, tipped workers can be paid a lower base wage on the understanding that tips make up the difference. That means your tip is not a bonus for exceptional service in the way it might be elsewhere — it is a meaningful part of how servers, bartenders, and many other workers are paid. Tipping well is simply part of participating in the city's hospitality culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping mandatory in NYC?

Tipping is not a legal requirement, but it is a strong social expectation at restaurants, bars, taxis, and personal-care services. Leaving nothing is considered rude unless the service was genuinely poor.

Do I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?

Customary practice is to tip on the pre-tax subtotal, though many people simply tip on the total for convenience. Either is acceptable; this calculator uses the amount you enter.

What is an automatic gratuity?

Many NYC restaurants automatically add a gratuity, often 18 to 20 percent, for larger parties (commonly six or more). Check your bill before adding more so you do not tip twice.

How much should I tip a taxi driver in New York?

Around 15 to 20 percent of the fare is standard. For a short ride, rounding up to the nearest few dollars is perfectly acceptable.

Related guides

Put together by our editorial team to help visitors navigate New York with confidence. Tipping customs evolve, so treat these figures as a practical guide rather than a fixed rule. Questions? Reach us through our contact page.

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