Travel Tips Travel Etiquette Restaurant Etiquette: How Long is Too Long to Linger at a Table? Pay attention to your waiters: they'll let you know when it's time to go. By Melanie Lieberman Melanie Lieberman Instagram Twitter Melanie Lieberman is currently the senior travel editor at The Points Guy, where she oversees travel and lifestyle features, including hotel, cruise, and destination coverage. Prior to TPG, Melanie was an editor at Travel + Leisure, and her work has appeared in Bloomberg Pursuits, Yahoo Travel, Jetsetter, Boston Common Magazine, Luxe City Guides, Thrillist, and Saveur, among others. She has been recognized for her journalism, poetry, prose, and playwriting in various competitions and festivals, and has been featured as a travel expert by notable outlets across radio, podcasts, in print, and on television, including Good Morning America, MSNBC, Fox Business, and The Weather Channel. You can usually find her climbing to the top of the tallest mountain (or building). Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on May 27, 2014 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images Most good restaurants in the United States—especially popular new places—expect to turn over a table two to three times each night—that means they anticipate a party of two will stay for about an hour and 45 minutes (four-tops are usually allotted two hours). So once you’ve paid your bill, try not to spend the next hour nursing your final sip of wine. Internationally, diners enjoy a more leisurely pace. In Italy, for instance, experts say it’s virtually impossible to overstay your welcome. Whether you're in Milan or Sydney, meals typically run a full two to three hours. If you don’t know the protocol, look to the waitstaff for cues (think: turning off the music, stacking empty chairs). They’ll let you know when your time’s up. Whether you're dining at home or abroad, experts recommend ordering all of your dishes at once. Service will run smoother, and the kitchen will help pace your meal accordingly. For help resolving all of your other travel etiquette questions, check out this useful guide. Melanie Lieberman is the Assistant Digital Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @melanietaryn. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit