Tipping / Taxes / Restaurants, Los Angeles

The best in dining, shopping, entertainment and a non-stop kaleidoscope of street performers combine make Downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade a favorite destination for visitors and residents alike.

Tip: Wait at the sign "be seated" and have your identification card with you. I didn't get a beer as I forgot to have my passport with me that day!

Take note of a high handed ways tour guides demand a fixed amount of tips.

Had a bad experience from Bravo Travel which is located at Monterey Park (http://www.bravotravel.com/)

Generally giving tips is ok but the way the tour guides from this company demand them are somewhat pathetic when they can't even offer a basic service (Can't even form a sentence in English and some even can't speak English).

Simply pathetic and travellers should avoid this company at all cost.

Throughout America tipping is more or less compulsory. In restaurants waiters expect around 15 to 20 percent as do taxi drivers and hairdressers, while porters and bellboys anticipate around one or two US dollars per piece of luggage.

If you want a more substantial hot meal, lunch is usually cheaper than dinner. Chinese and Thai restaurants are among those offering special set lunches for $7 or less. Dinners too can be affordable - even at fancy restaurants - if you stick to one main course and a single non-alcoholic beverage.

Restaurants are notorious for huge markups on beer, wine and even bottled water. If you're
concerned about money, stick with LA tap water; it's perfectly safe to drink. If you want alcohol, order beer or wine by the glass and avoid expensive cocktails.


Remember that your final bill will swell thanks to sales tax (8%) and a tip (15%); valet parking can also add another $2.50 to $5 to your total. Thus, a moderately priced $35 dinner for two (food only) will actually run you about $50.

Dining out in LA tends toward the casual, although you should still dress appropriately. That definitely means shoes and shirt; a jacket is appropriate for men at some upscale restaurants.

When you arrive at a restaurant, it's customary to wait by the entrance until the host seats you; only in very casual places may you choose a table yourself.

Classic dinner time is 8pm.

Smoking inside restaurants and bars is prohibited by state law, although outdoor areas are usually exempt.

Tipping in restaurants (not fast food) is generally 15-20% of the bill. In most cases you can add the tip to your credit card total. Also, generally, if the bill is placed on your table by itself you must take it to the register to pay. If the bill is on a small tray or in a folder, simply place the cash or credit card into the tray or folder and wait for your server to pick it up. When paying by cash, some servers may ask, "Do you need change?" This question simply asks if the entire change amount is the tip, or if you wish to leave a separate tip. Saying "yes" does not imply you are cheap since you may even wish to leave more tip than the amount of change you are getting back.

...when you're done eating in a restaurant.

Being to NY and LA in one week, I experienced this in both cities.

I consider it to be rude, but as it happenend in "fancy" restaurants as well, I guessed it's just a local / national custom.

Tip: when you're having dinner with someone, and you're done, leave something on your plate so that the won't take it away, or at least ask you before they do.

Please disregard any notion of cell phone ettiquette you may have learned where you came from. Immediately commence calling people in restaurants, movie theatres, live music venues, Heck, start brokering heated film deals and make a loud commotion! The locals all do it with reckless abandon! Of course, I'm joking but it's appalling to watch the local trendies behave in such a fashion. Try ditching the phone and enjoying your trip unfettered.