Scoop: Where to find America's best tippers
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Delaware, West Virginia and New Hampshire are still home to America's top tippers, with diners leaving around 21% on average, according to new Toast data shared first with Axios.
Why it matters: So-called "tip fatigue" is fueling a broader rethink of tipping culture, even as average tips haven't changed much over the past two years.
- Some U.S. restaurants are now ditching gratuities altogether in favor of higher menu prices and wages, the BBC reports.
By the numbers: Nationwide, diners tipped roughly 19% on average across all restaurant types in Q2 2026 — essentially the same as in Q1, per Toast's latest tipping trends report.
- Tips at full-service restaurants also held steady around 19%, while fast food tips remained near 16%.
- Takeout tips hovered around 14%.
The other side: In last place for overall tipping are California, Washington, D.C., and Washington state, where averages run under 18%.
The fine print: The report is based on data from restaurants using the Toast platform.
- Cash tips aren't included.
The bottom line: Not all diners tip the same — and more restaurants may take it off the table entirely.
