A restaurant bill can look straightforward until the total is higher than expected. Beyond the price of the food and drinks, diners may see taxes, service charges, automatic gratuities, or other fees added before payment. Some charges are disclosed on the menu or elsewhere before ordering, while others may be easy to overlook when the check arrives.
Not every extra charge is improper, and restaurants may use different terms for similar fees. But diners should understand what they are being charged for before handing over a card or adding a tip. Taking a moment to review the bill can help prevent confusion, avoid paying twice for the same service, and make it easier to ask the restaurant about anything that does not look right.
