What Does "++" Mean on Singapore Menus? The Hidden 19% That Every Foreigner Gets Surprised By

"I ordered what I thought was a S$28 dinner in Singapore. The bill came to S$33.40. I asked the waiter what happened — he pointed to the tiny '++' at the bottom of the menu. I had no idea what that meant."

Updated September 2026  |  Written by Luna H

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You sit down at a restaurant in Singapore. The menu looks reasonable — S$18 for a main course, S$6 for a drink. You mentally calculate S$24 for dinner. Then the bill arrives and it says S$28.56. You look confused. The waiter points to a small "++ " printed at the bottom of the menu page.

This happens to almost every foreigner in Singapore at least once. The "++" is not a typo. It's not a mistake. It's shorthand for two separate charges that are automatically added to your bill — and understanding exactly what they are, how they work, and where they don't apply will change how you budget for food and entertainment in Singapore.

💡 Quick Answer

"++" on Singapore menus means +10% service charge + 9% GST. Your actual bill will be approximately 19.9% higher than the listed menu price. This applies at most sit-down restaurants, hotels, and bars — but NOT at hawker centres, food courts, or most coffee shops (kopitiams).

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What "++" Actually Means — Breaking It Down

The two "+" symbols each represent one separate charge:

First "+": 10% Service Charge

A mandatory 10% surcharge added to your subtotal at most restaurants, hotels, cafes, and bars in Singapore. This is NOT a tip. It goes directly to the restaurant or establishment — not to your waiter or server.

Important: You do NOT tip additionally in Singapore. Tipping on top of the service charge is not expected and not part of local culture. The 10% service charge is meant to replace the tipping culture that exists in the US, UK, and other countries. Leaving extra cash on the table is fine if you want to, but it is never expected or required.

Second "+": 9% GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Singapore's consumption tax, equivalent to VAT in Europe or sales tax in the US. The GST rate increased from 8% to 9% on January 1, 2024, and remains at 9% in 2026. GST applies to almost all goods and services in Singapore — food, shopping, services, accommodation.

⚠️ The Calculation Is Not Simply 10% + 9%

Many people assume "++" means simply adding 19% to the menu price. The actual calculation is slightly different — and results in approximately 19.9% total on top of the menu price. Here's why: GST is calculated on the subtotal AFTER the service charge is added. So GST is calculated on 110% of your menu price, not 100%. The effective total increase is: 10% + (9% × 110%) = 10% + 9.9% = 19.9% above the menu price.

The Exact Math — Real Example

Item	Amount
Menu price (pasta + drink)	S$28.00
+ 10% Service Charge	S$2.80
Subtotal after service charge	S$30.80
+ 9% GST (on S$30.80)	S$2.77
Total you actually pay	S$33.57

A S$28 menu price becomes S$33.57 — approximately 19.9% more. Always budget for this when dining at sit-down restaurants in Singapore.

Where "++" Applies — And Where It Doesn't

This is where most foreigners get confused. The "++" does NOT apply everywhere in Singapore:

"++" applies at:

• Sit-down restaurants (casual dining and fine dining)
• Hotel restaurants and hotel bars
• Cafes with table service
• Most bars and clubs
• Room service at hotels

"++" does NOT apply at:

• Hawker centres (hawker stalls) — Singapore's iconic open-air food markets. You pay exactly what's on the sign. No service charge, no GST. This is why hawker centres are so affordable.
• Food courts — inside shopping malls. Usually self-service, no "++".
• Kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) — old-style coffee shops with multiple stall vendors. No service charge. GST may apply at some but check signage.
• Takeaway / delivery orders — even from restaurants that charge "++" for dine-in, takeaway orders are often priced differently. Check the menu specifically.

💡 The Hawker Centre Advantage

Singapore's hawker centres are one of the best food deals in Asia — and one of the city's genuine cultural treasures. A full meal at a hawker centre costs S$3–8 with no service charge and no GST. The same dish at a sit-down restaurant would cost S$15–25 before "++". For everyday eating, locals eat hawker food regularly regardless of income level. Learning to eat at hawker centres saves hundreds of dollars per month.

GST Tourist Refund — Can Foreigners Get GST Back on Shopping?

Yes — but only on shopping purchases, not on food or services. Singapore operates the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) which allows tourists (not residents) to claim back the 9% GST paid on retail purchases when leaving Singapore via Changi Airport.

Eligibility for TRS:

• You must be a visitor (tourist) — NOT a Singapore resident or work pass holder
• Minimum spend: S$100 (inclusive of GST) at a single GST-registered retailer
• Goods must be taken out of Singapore within 2 months of purchase
• Claim must be made at Changi Airport on departure

How to claim at Changi Airport:

1. Look for the "Tourist Refund" counter or eTRS kiosks at the departure hall (after immigration)
2. Present your passport, boarding pass, original receipts, and the purchased goods
3. Refund is processed to your credit card, PayNow, or cash (S$ or selected foreign currencies)

Important: If you hold a Singapore Employment Pass, S Pass, Dependent Pass, or Long-Term Visit Pass, you are NOT eligible for the tourist GST refund. This applies to residents only — not temporary pass holders.

Tipping in Singapore — The Complete Answer

The short answer: don't tip, and don't feel guilty about it.

• Restaurants: No tipping expected. The 10% service charge replaces the tipping convention.
• Hawker centres and kopitiams: No tipping. Ever. It would confuse the stall owner.
• Taxis and ride-hailing (Grab): No tipping expected. In-app tipping exists on Grab but is not standard practice.
• Hotels: Bellhops and housekeeping occasionally receive small tips (S$1–2) from Westernised guests, but it is not expected or standard.
• Delivery riders: In-app tipping available on food delivery apps. Optional, appreciated but not expected.

If you feel you've received exceptional service at a restaurant and want to leave something extra, S$5–10 cash directly to the server is always appreciated. But again — it is genuinely not expected, and you will never receive worse service for not doing it.

What "Nett Price" Means on Singapore Menus

Some restaurants in Singapore list their prices as "nett" (sometimes written "net"). This means the price is final — no service charge and no GST will be added. What you see is what you pay.

Nett pricing is common at:

• Fast food chains (McDonald's, KFC, Jollibee)
• Some casual cafes
• Hawker centres and food courts (though these usually don't bother labelling it)

If a menu says "nett" and another says "++" and you're unsure — just ask. Singapore restaurant staff are accustomed to this question from foreigners.

Practical Budgeting Guide for Foreigners

Dining Type	Typical Menu Price	What You Actually Pay	Service Charge + GST
Hawker centre meal	S$3–8	S$3–8	None
Food court	S$5–12	S$5–12	Usually none
Casual restaurant (++)	S$15–30/dish	+19.9%	+10% service + 9% GST
Mid-range restaurant (++)	S$30–60/dish	+19.9%	+10% service + 9% GST
Fine dining (++)	S$80–200+/dish	+19.9%	+10% service + 9% GST

Common Mistakes Foreigners Make

• Budgeting based only on menu prices at restaurants. Always add ~20% mentally when eating at a sit-down restaurant with "++" pricing. If the menu says S$80 for two, budget S$96–100.
• Tipping on top of the service charge. Not expected, not necessary. The 10% service charge already covers this.
• Assuming all food in Singapore has GST. Hawker centres, food courts, and kopitiams are significantly cheaper partly because there's no service charge or GST.
• Trying to claim GST refund as a resident. Tourist GST refund is for visitors only. Employment Pass, S Pass, and Dependent Pass holders are not eligible.
• Not checking if prices are "nett" or "++". These are two completely different pricing systems. Always check which one applies before ordering.

Tips Nobody Tells You

• The "++" calculation results in approximately 19.9% more — not exactly 19% — because GST is applied after the service charge is added. Budget 20% above menu prices to be safe.
• Many Singapore restaurants list the "++" in tiny font at the bottom of the menu or only on a small sign near the entrance. Always look for it before you order.
• Hawker centre eating is not just budget eating — Singapore's hawker culture is UNESCO-recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Eating at hawker centres is genuinely what locals do, regardless of income.
• Some restaurants now display "all-in prices" (nett, inclusive of GST and service charge) to make billing clearer for customers. If you see this, what's on the menu is what you pay.
• If you're dining at a hotel restaurant, the "++" applies — and the base prices are usually already higher. A hotel breakfast that looks like S$35 on the menu becomes S$42 after "++".

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The "++" is one of Singapore's most reliable foreigner confusion points — but once you understand it, it's simple. Sit-down restaurants add ~19.9%. Hawker centres don't. Never tip on top of the service charge. Budget 20% above any menu price at a restaurant with "++" to avoid bill shock. And eat at hawker centres often — not just because they're affordable, but because they're genuinely excellent.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments below.