Miller and Carter Service Charge: What Diners Should Know
Miller and Carter Service Charge: What Diners Should Know
This website is independent and not affiliated with Miller & Carter. Menus and prices vary by restaurant and change over time, so please confirm current details with the restaurant before ordering or booking.
The Miller and Carter service charge is an optional 10% added to the bill for tables of 8 or more. It is not compulsory. If you would rather not pay it, or you want to pay a different amount, speak to your server and they will remove or adjust it. This is the official position shown on Miller & Carter menu pages.
When the Miller and Carter Service Charge Appears
Official Miller & Carter festive menu pages state: “Please be aware that an optional 10% service charge will be added to the bill for tables of 8+.” This wording appears across branch menu pages, including Stratford-upon-Avon, Muswell Hill, Worcester, Edinburgh and others.
A branch reply to a diner review on TripAdvisor added that the charge “is optional and was removed at your request, this is standard service across the brand”. So while the printed example comes from festive menus, the brand describes the approach as standard.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Table of 8 or more | An optional 10% service charge is added to the bill |
| Smaller tables | No automatic service charge shown on official pages; tipping is your choice |
| You ask for it to be removed | Staff remove or adjust the charge on request |
Last checked: 13 October 2026. The 10% figure and the tables of 8 rule come from official Miller & Carter menu pages. Practice can vary by branch, so check your bill.
Is the Service Charge Compulsory?
No. The charge is described as optional on the official menu pages, and the brand has confirmed in writing to a diner that it is removed on request. In the UK, a discretionary service charge is a suggestion, not a contract term you must accept. You are within your rights to ask for it to be taken off or reduced, and you do not need to give a reason.
How to Remove or Adjust the Charge
If the service charge appears on your bill and you do not want to pay it:
- Check the bill before you pay and look for the service charge line.
- Tell your server you would like it removed or changed to an amount you prefer.
- Check the revised bill or card terminal total before you pay.
There is no need to feel awkward. Restaurants deal with this request regularly, and the official wording itself invites you to speak to your server.
Service Charge vs Tip: What Is the Difference?
The service charge is a line added to your bill by the restaurant. A tip is money you choose to give on top of the bill, in cash or by card, because you were happy with the service. If the service charge is removed, you can still leave a tip of your own choosing. If you keep the service charge, you do not need to tip on top unless you want to.
For the wider picture on tipping, including how tips reach staff and the fair tips law, see our Miller and Carter tipping policy guide.
Checking Your Bill
Whatever the size of your party, it is worth reviewing the bill line by line before you pay. Look for the service charge, check any discounts or vouchers have been applied, and make sure the items match what you ordered. Our vouchers guide explains how discounts work with your bill, and the offers page lists current promotions. If you are planning a group visit, the booking guide covers reserving for larger tables, and the main menu guide helps you plan the meal.
FAQs
How much is the Miller and Carter service charge?
Official menu pages show an optional 10% service charge for tables of 8 or more.
Can I refuse to pay the service charge?
Yes. It is optional. Ask your server to remove it and they will do so.
Does the service charge apply to small tables?
The official wording mentions tables of 8 or more. Smaller tables are not shown with an automatic charge on the official pages we checked.
Is the service charge the same as a tip?
No. The service charge is added to your bill by the restaurant; a tip is extra money you choose to give. See our tipping policy guide for how tipping works.
Service charge details checked against official Miller & Carter pages on 13 October 2026. This website is independent and not affiliated with Miller & Carter.
