0min
There’s a new expectation quietly taking hold in the UK restaurant scene: contactless payments. These days, restaurant guests don’t just hope to tap their card or use their phone—they expect to. Whether you run a cosy bistro in Brighton or a bustling gastropub in Manchester, you’re likely seeing customers increasingly lean towards tapping their devices at the table, greeting each other with, “They take contactless, right?” For modern diners, contactless isn’t a fringe option anymore; it’s the standard they anticipate from their dining experience.
The benefits reach far beyond convenience. Guests are more at ease when they can pay on their terms. They don’t need to fumble with chip-and-PIN systems or wait ages for a card machine to reach them. They simply open the payment link or tap their phone, watch the confirmation pop up, and go. That streamlined moment, free of friction and waiting, translates to a positive final impression—an instant plus for your online reviews and in-person word-of-mouth.
But there’s another surprising side effect of embracing contactless: guests are leaving bigger tips. The choice to pay with a simple tap can subtly encourage more generosity. And with the ability to include a quick gratuity at checkout—especially when no one is hovering over their shoulder—guests often add that little bit extra, feeling it’s well deserved for a smooth, hassle-free experience.
Across Britain, the move toward card and digital wallet payments has accelerated in the past few years. According to UK Finance (https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/), 58% of all credit card and debit card transactions in 2022 were contactless. Even once-sceptical customers have warmed up to the technology. They see it as faster, more hygienic, and safer.
And it’s not just about cutting down on physical cash. For restaurant owners, the advantages are plentiful. You dwell in a fast-paced world where every minute counts: fewer trips to the bank for deposits, fewer worries about counting the float in the morning, and less time chasing down lost notes after a busy shift. If anything, a well-organised payment system means you can focus on the heart of your business—delicious food and memorable service—instead of diagnosing the day’s cash discrepancy.
In short, we live in an era when “cash or card?” is quickly becoming “tap or phone?” If you’re not offering contactless options, you risk signalling to your customers that you’re out of step with the times. In a competitive market, even such a small detail can tip the scales.
Imagine you’re hosting a special dinner for a table of four. Everyone is buzzing about the great dessert they just enjoyed, but the mood quickly sours when they spend the next ten minutes flagging down a server for a bill. Once the bill arrives, they wait another five minutes for the card machine to come over. By the time the payment goes through, that happy post-meal glow has faded.
With a contactless payment experience—especially one that uses a QR code on the table or a quick link—you cut out the queue. Diners see the payment total, tap to pay, and leave a tip, all within seconds. They don’t lose that warm, satisfied feeling that a great meal creates. You maintain the ambiance of your establishment and keep table turnaround efficient.
Some restaurants worry contactless might feel impersonal, but the truth is it can be as warm and human as the staff who guide guests through the process. A polite prompt, a welcoming explanation—“You can just tap that QR code whenever you’re ready, no rush”—can make all the difference. Your servers remain fully available for actual hospitality, rather than running receipts back and forth all night.
In today’s lightning-fast world, convenience is king. Ensuring a frictionless payment process saves time on both ends, allowing you and your team to focus on providing an unforgettable dining experience.
Picture a typical tipping situation. The server hands over a bill, the guest pulls out their wallet, rummages for spare change, and performs mental maths to figure out a fair percentage. In sometimes awkward silence, the diner wonders if a 10% tip is generous enough or whether 12.5% is more customary. Meanwhile, the server politely looks away, hoping for a decent sum.
Now consider contactless. When you add a “Would you like to leave a tip?” prompt on the payment screen, it removes all that awkwardness. In a digital checkout flow, guests are more comfortable selecting a pre-set tip amount—or even adding a custom figure—without the perceived judgement of onlookers. Many people also find it easier to be generous digitally than when counting coins. As a result, the total tip percentage often goes up.
At sunday, we’ve observed that when diners use a streamlined payment solution, they’re more inclined to acknowledge good service generously. It’s easier, it’s immediate, and it’s private. That’s a win for your team, who feel recognised for their hard work, and a win for you, as higher tips can help with staff satisfaction and retention. After all, a content frontline team usually means better guest experiences overall.
Another reason guests are keen on contactless is hygiene. Even though the height of the pandemic has passed, many people still prefer to limit unnecessary contact with shared surfaces or communal cash. The ability to settle the bill on their personal device—be it their smartphone or contactless card—provides a sense of security.
From your perspective, too, contactless payments lower the risk of stolen or misplaced cash and help keep your restaurant’s finances better organised. The entire transaction is digitised, reducing errors that come from manual entry. Records are instantly available, helping you see exactly how your day has gone, which can be integrated into your reporting or Point-of-Sale system without the usual headache of collating receipts.
If you’re worried about potential fraud, rest assured that regulated UK contactless limits and authentication measures are in place. Banks and financial providers consistently update their security protocols. Many also encourage cardholders to register for app notifications so they can spot any unusual activity. By reassuring your guests of these security measures and linking them to reputable information—say, from the Financial Conduct Authority (https://www.fca.org.uk/)—you can reinforce their confidence in your restaurant.
To see the power of contactless in action, look at The Raven & Finch, a charming restaurant in southwestern England. Before adopting a contactless approach, co-owners Sarah and James found themselves juggling receipts and tracking missing payments. They’d often have several staff members running back and forth between the kitchen, bar, and tables, especially when a queue formed at their old card machine.
Once The Raven & Finch introduced a contactless payment option with simple QR codes at each table, the change was immediate. Guests checked their bills on their smartphones without waiting, tips increased by an average of 15%, and staff no longer spent the final moments of service frantically dealing with disjointed payments. Sarah also noticed a spike in positive reviews mentioning the “convenient payment process,” and, interestingly, more guests started returning for mid-week dinners because the entire experience felt seamless.
Restaurant staff thrive on delivering hospitality, understanding guest needs, and adding personal touches that keep folks coming back. When your team isn’t bogged down by payment logistics—dividing up big tables, fetching the card terminal, handling receipts—they can do more of what they do best.
Contactless solutions free up servers to build rapport with guests, oversee quality checks on dishes, and respond quickly if a diner requests a special sauce or a last-minute dessert. You give your team the tools to focus on the important bits of service, rather than the practicalities of collecting payments. And because the entire process is so straightforward, staff find themselves performing fewer repetitive tasks. Efficiency goes up; burnt-out employees go down.
Ultimately, you create a positive atmosphere for your team, where they can channel their energy into improving guest satisfaction. In an industry notorious for high staff turnover, these details make a significant difference in retaining passionate professionals who enjoy their roles. By lessening the stress of bill settlement, you keep morale high and restaurant service fluent.
You might be wondering, “Which solution is best for my restaurant?” Perhaps you’ve used a card terminal for years but want something more advanced. Or maybe you’ve heard about integrated QR codes and are eager to try them out. Whichever path you choose, look for a system that demonstrates these traits:
At sunday, for instance, we’ve combined the convenience of contactless with a robust platform that empowers restaurants to customise tip prompts, share menus directly, and even collect data to track performance. While your options may vary, it’s important to pick a partner that aligns with your specific needs and future expansion plans.
Beyond the obvious practicality, contactless payment shows that you respect your guests’ time and preferences. This is especially true in the UK, where many customers have grown accustomed to tapping everywhere—from local transport to corner shops. When you remove the guesswork and let them use the technology they already trust, it enhances the sense that you’re an innovative, forward-thinking establishment.
And don’t forget reviews. Restaurant-goers air their opinions online unfiltered, especially on Google. Many of them appreciate finishing their meal with minimal fuss and might mention your effortless payment process as a highlight. Positive feedback about convenience can boost your ranking on review platforms and attract more diners who crave a frictionless night out.
When you integrate a solution that prompts satisfied customers to post quick reviews (and even discreetly invites them to leave a tip), you make it that much easier for them to spread the word. Shortening the gap between “I had a great time!” and posting a review can be a game-changer for your digital reputation.
At its core, contactless isn’t just a novelty or a fleeting trend. It’s a step forward in the ongoing evolution of hospitality. It streamlines your workflow, reduces overhead, and keeps your restaurant relevant in the minds of a modern British audience. Guests, in turn, appreciate the respect shown to their time and the ease with which they can reward great service.
Consider how your restaurant could harness the full potential of contactless. Maybe your team is already proficient with digital menus and real-time table management. Adding a payment system that’s equally intuitive is the final piece of the puzzle, completing a guest experience that’s consistent, comfortable, and quick.
It’s a shift in perspective—seeing payment not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of your dining journey. By seeking out a platform designed with restaurant owners and guests in mind, you let technology take care of the grunt work, freeing up your staff to focus on the personal touches that turn first-time visitors into regulars.
In short, there’s every reason to explore the possibilities of contactless options. They save time, minimise errors, boost tips, and keep your establishment on par with modern expectations. As the UK’s casual and fine dining scenes continue to evolve, contactless will remain a defining component of the industry’s future. The only question is: are you ready to serve that extra helping of convenience—and reap the rewards?
