Charging a 10% service fee or a “cleaning fee” does not absolve restaurants of their responsibility to provide proper service or maintain cleanliness. These fees are typically considered additional charges for enhanced services, such as better customer attention or maintaining higher cleanliness standards. Even if a restaurant does not charge these fees, it is still legally obligated to provide a certain level of cleanliness and basic service as part of running a food establishment, as regulated by public health and business laws in Taiwan.
In short, not charging a service or cleaning fee does not excuse a restaurant from its fundamental duties, but those fees might be added to cover extra services or amenities.