Food shopping, eating out and tipping

Food shopping in the US will feel familiar, with three surprises: the shelf price leaves out sales tax, alcohol rules change from state to state, and in restaurants a tip is part of the price in all but name.

The main shops

Store numbers are from a 2025 industry ranking. Which chains you have nearby depends on the region, so ask neighbours where they shop. Sign up to your supermarket’s loyalty programme to see its weekly offers, and compare delivery or pickup fees before you pay them.

What food costs

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prices a nutritious diet cooked at home every month. Its “moderate-cost” plan, the middle of three, gave these figures for August 2026 (US averages, with USDA’s suggested adjustment for household size):

Big coastal cities usually cost more than the national average. Supermarket prices were 2.2% higher in August 2026 than a year before, and restaurant prices 3.4% higher. USDA forecasts rises of 2.4% for groceries and 3.5% for eating out across 2026. Our cost of living calculator uses this USDA plan; see also How much does it cost to live in the USA?

Sales tax is added at the till

Unlike UK VAT, US sales tax isn’t in the shelf price. States set a rate, and counties, cities and transport districts can add their own. 45 states have a statewide sales tax.

• Illinois ended its 1% state tax on groceries on 1 January 2026, but more than 650 cities and towns have brought in their own 1% grocery tax, so many shoppers pay the same as before
• Where groceries are exempt, the exemption is for food to cook at home. Sweets, soft drinks, alcohol and hot or prepared food are usually taxed
• Local rates change during the year: 223 local rate changes in 18 states took effect on 1 October 2026 alone

Buying alcohol

The legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 21 across the US, and shops and bars will ask for photo ID, whatever your age looks like. Where you can buy it depends on the state:

For drink-driving and other rules that surprise newcomers, see What rules catch Brits out?

Eating out and tipping

Federal law lets employers pay tipped staff a lower cash wage and count tips towards the minimum wage, so tips are a large part of what servers earn. In a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 92% of people who eat at sit-down restaurants said they always or often tip. 57% said they would tip 15% or less for an average meal, and a quarter 20% or more, while restaurant guides now say at least 20%.

• Sit-down restaurant: 15% to 20% or more of the bill. Many people work it out on the amount before tax
• Bars: 70% of people in the Pew survey tip when buying a drink
• Takeaway and counter service: optional. Toast’s guide suggests $1 to $5 for takeaway orders. Card screens often suggest a tip; you can choose a custom amount or none
• Food delivery: Toast suggests 20%. Most people also tip for haircuts (78% in the Pew survey) and for taxis and rideshare (61%)
• Check the bill for an automatic “service charge” or “gratuity”, common for groups. If it’s there, you don’t need to tip again

Bottle and can deposits

Some states charge a refundable deposit on drinks containers. In California, the California Refund Value (CRV) is 5 cents on containers under 24 ounces (about 710ml) and 10 cents on larger ones, refunded at certified recycling centres.