Tipping in St. Louis: A Complete Guide for 2026
St. Louis has the highest combined sales tax of any major US city at 10.679%, which significantly impacts restaurant bill totals. Despite this, the city has an affordable and underrated dining scene known for toasted ravioli, provel cheese pizza, and a growing chef-driven restaurant community in neighborhoods like the Grove, Central West End, and the Hill. Missouri's tipped minimum wage is $6.38/hour, making tips essential for STL's service workers.
Tipping Guide for St. Louis
| Situation | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant (sit-down) | 15-20% |
| Bar / Nightlife | $1-2/drink |
| Taxi / Rideshare | 15% |
| Hotel Housekeeping | $2-3/night |
| Food Delivery | 15-20% |
Local Tipping Tips for St. Louis
- St. Louis's 10.679% sales tax is the highest of any major city — doubling the tax gives a roughly 21% tip, making it the easiest tip-math hack in the country.
- The Hill (St. Louis's Italian neighborhood) has legendary restaurants — tip 18-20% at these multi-generational family-owned establishments.
- The Central West End and the Grove are the trendiest dining neighborhoods — 18-20% is standard at these chef-driven spots.
- St. Louis has a strong sports bar culture (Cardinals, Blues) — tip $1-2 per drink during game days when bartenders handle massive volume.
Quick Tip Calculator for St. Louis
Enter your bill amount to see tip options based on St. Louis norms.
Tip Amounts for St. Louis
Sales tax in St. Louis is 10.679%. Etiquette tip: tip on the pre-tax subtotal. Learn more.
No Tax on Tips in Missouri
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), tips earned by workers in Missouri are now exempt from federal income tax — up to $25,000 per year — for tax years 2025 through 2028. This is a major benefit for St. Louis's service workers.
With a tipped minimum wage of $6.38/hr (vs. $12.30 regular minimum), St. Louis servers and bartenders depend significantly on tips. The OBBBA exemption means more of every dollar you tip goes directly into their pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tipping in St. Louis
How much should I tip at a St. Louis restaurant?
15-20% is the standard in St. Louis. Missouri's tipped minimum wage is $6.38/hour, so tips are an important income component. At full-service restaurants, 18-20% is appropriate. A local trick: double the 10.679% tax for an easy 21% tip estimate.
Why is the sales tax so high in St. Louis?
St. Louis has a combined sales tax of 10.679%, one of the highest in the US, due to layered state (4.225%), city, and various local taxes. This affects your restaurant bill total significantly — tip on the pre-tax subtotal if the tax amount bothers you, though most locals tip on the full bill.
Do you tip at St. Louis food landmarks like Ted Drewes?
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard and other St. Louis counter-service landmarks don't strictly require tips, but dropping $1-2 in the tip jar is appreciated, especially during summer when lines stretch around the block and staff work at high speed.
Tipping Guides for Nearby Cities
Related Tipping & Tax Tools
National Tipping Guide — Tip & Tax Calculator — Missouri OBBBA Calculator — Tipflation & Tip Fatigue Guide