50 German Phrases for Restaurants, Cafés and Bars Listed

50 German Restaurant Phrases Ordering Guide for Restaurants, Cafés and Bars

Eating out is the best part of traveling in Germany — and the part where a little language pays off the most. These 50 German restaurant phrases ordering travelers actually need cover the full arc of dining out: getting seated, decoding the menu, ordering food and drinks, handling dietary needs, and paying like a local. Each phrase comes with pronunciation and its English meaning.

For the complete step-by-step walkthrough with dialogues — seating yourself, beer culture, tipping mechanics — read our guide to ordering food in German restaurants. This list is your quick-reference companion to it.

How These Phrases Are Organized

The list follows the order of a real meal: arriving, ordering, eating, and paying. Learn the “Big 5” first — Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte, Die Speisekarte, bitte, Ich hätte gern…, Die Rechnung, bitte, and Stimmt so — and you can already survive any restaurant. The rest makes the experience smoother and more fun.

A pronunciation reminder: w = v, v = f, z = ts, ei = eye, ch after a/o/u is throaty. Stress the CAPITALIZED syllable.

50 German Restaurant Phrases Ordering: Arriving and Getting Seated

Outdoor café table with cakes and fresh flowers on a sunny day
  1. Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. (INE-en tish foor tsvy BIT-teh) — A table for two, please.
  2. Haben Sie einen Tisch frei? (HAH-ben zee INE-en tish fry) — Do you have a free table?
  3. Wir haben reserviert. (veer HAH-ben reh-zer-VEERT) — We have a reservation.
  4. Die Reservierung ist auf den Namen Smith. (dee reh-zer-VEE-rung ist owf dayn NAH-men smith) — The reservation is under the name Smith.
  5. Können wir draußen sitzen? (KURN-en veer DROW-sen ZITS-en) — Can we sit outside?
  6. Gibt es einen Tisch am Fenster? (gipt es INE-en tish ahm FENS-ter) — Is there a table by the window?
  7. Ist hier noch frei? (ist heer nokh fry) — Is this seat free? (For shared tables in beer gardens.)
  8. Wir warten auf Freunde. (veer VAR-ten owf FROYN-deh) — We’re waiting for friends. (Explains the empty chairs.)

Ordering: Menus and Recommendations

  1. Die Speisekarte, bitte. (dee SHPY-zeh-kar-teh BIT-teh) — The menu, please.
  2. Könnte ich die Speisekarte auf Englisch haben? (KURN-teh ikh dee SHPY-zeh-kar-teh owf ENG-lish HAH-ben) — Could I have the menu in English?
  3. Was empfehlen Sie? (vahs emp-FAY-len zee) — What do you recommend?
  4. Was ist das Tagesgericht? (vahs ist dahs TAH-ges-geh-rikht) — What is today’s special?
  5. Was ist das? (vahs ist dahs) — What is that? (Point at the menu.)
  6. Haben Sie schon gewählt? (HAH-ben zee shohn geh-VAYLT) — Have you decided? (What the server asks you — answer Ja, ich hätte gern…)
  7. Ich brauche noch einen Moment. (ikh BROW-kheh nokh INE-en moh-MENT) — I need another moment.

Ordering: Food

Slice of cake with coffee and flowers on a dark table
  1. Ich hätte gern das Schnitzel. (ikh HET-teh gairn dahs SHNIT-sel) — I’d like the schnitzel. Swap any dish name after Ich hätte gern.
  2. Ich nehme die Suppe. (ikh NAY-meh dee ZUP-eh) — I’ll take the soup.
  3. Für mich bitte das Gleiche. (foor mikh BIT-teh dahs GLY-kheh) — The same for me, please.
  4. Als Vorspeise nehme ich… (ahls FOR-shpy-zeh NAY-meh ikh) — For a starter I’ll have…
  5. Ist das vegetarisch? (ist dahs veh-geh-TAH-rish) — Is that vegetarian?
  6. Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse. (ikh bin ah-LAIR-gish GAY-gen NOOS-eh) — I’m allergic to nuts.
  7. Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte. (OH-neh TSVEE-beln BIT-teh) — Without onions, please.
  8. Ist das scharf? (ist dahs sharf) — Is that spicy?
  9. Eine Portion Pommes, bitte. (INE-eh por-TSYOHN POM-es BIT-teh) — A portion of fries, please.
  10. Kann ich das als kleine Portion bekommen? (kahn ikh dahs ahls KLY-neh por-TSYOHN beh-KOM-en) — Can I get that as a small portion?

Ordering: Drinks in Cafés and Bars

  1. Ein Bier, bitte. (ine beer BIT-teh) — A beer, please.
  2. Ein großes / kleines Bier, bitte. (ine GROH-ses / KLY-nes beer BIT-teh) — A large / small beer, please.
  3. Ein Glas Rotwein, bitte. (ine glahs ROHT-vine BIT-teh) — A glass of red wine, please.
  4. Ein Glas Weißwein, bitte. (ine glahs VICE-vine BIT-teh) — A glass of white wine, please.
  5. Noch einen Kaffee, bitte. (nokh INE-en kah-FEH BIT-teh) — Another coffee, please.
  6. Einen Cappuccino, bitte. (INE-en kah-poo-CHEE-noh BIT-teh) — A cappuccino, please.
  7. Eine Apfelschorle, bitte. (INE-eh AHP-fel-shor-leh BIT-teh) — An apple spritzer, please. Germany’s default non-alcoholic drink.
  8. Ein Mineralwasser, still, bitte. (ine mee-neh-RAHL-vah-ser shtil BIT-teh) — A still mineral water, please.
  9. Noch eins, bitte. (nokh ines BIT-teh) — Another one, please.
  10. Was haben Sie vom Fass? (vahs HAH-ben zee fom fahs) — What do you have on tap?

During the Meal

Salted pretzel in a wicker basket with linen cloth
  1. Das schmeckt ausgezeichnet! (dahs shmekt OWS-geh-tsy-khnet) — That tastes excellent!
  2. Das war sehr lecker. (dahs vahr zair LEK-er) — That was very tasty.
  3. Guten Appetit! (GOO-ten ah-peh-TEET) — Enjoy your meal!
  4. Prost! (prohst) — Cheers!
  5. Zum Wohl! (tsoom vohl) — Cheers! (Literally “to your health” — used with wine.)
  6. Könnte ich bitte noch Brot haben? (KURN-teh ikh BIT-teh nokh broht HAH-ben) — Could I have some more bread, please?
  7. Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht bestellt. (ent-SHOOL-dee-gung dahs HAH-beh ikh nikht beh-SHTELT) — Sorry, I didn’t order this.
  8. Es fehlt ein Glas. (es faylt ine glahs) — A glass is missing.

Paying: The German Way

  1. Könnte ich bitte zahlen? (KURN-teh ikh BIT-teh TSAH-len) — Could I pay, please?
  2. Die Rechnung, bitte. (dee REKH-nung BIT-teh) — The check, please.
  3. Stimmt so. (shtimt zoh) — Keep the change. (The classic one-word tip.)
  4. Getrennt oder zusammen? (geh-TRENT OH-der tsoo-ZAH-men) — Separate or together? (The server’s question to groups.)
  5. Getrennt, bitte. (geh-TRENT BIT-teh) — Separate, please.
  6. Nehmen Sie Kreditkarten? (NAY-men zee kreh-DEET-kar-ten) — Do you take credit cards? (Ask before ordering in small places.)
  7. Vielen Dank, auf Wiedersehen! (FEE-len dahnk owf VEE-der-zay-en) — Thank you very much, goodbye!

Tipping Without the Awkwardness

Chocolate cake slice with coffee in a cozy café

German tipping is simpler than it looks: service is included in the price, and the tip is a 5–10% bonus for good service. The key mechanic — when the server states the total, you say the total including tip out loud as you pay. Bill is €18.40? Say “Zwanzig, bitte” (twenty, please) and hand over your card. Paying cash and happy with the service? Hand over a rounded amount and say Stimmt so. That is the entire system.

Café and Bakery Phrases

Germany’s Bäckerei (bakery) culture deserves its own phrase set — you will visit one daily:

  • Ich hätte gern drei Brötchen. (ikh HET-teh gairn dry BRURT-khen) — I’d like three bread rolls.
  • Was ist das da? (vahs ist dahs dah) — What is that there? (Pointing at the display.)
  • Ein Stück Apfelkuchen zum Mitnehmen, bitte. (ine shtook AHP-fel-koo-khen tsoom mit-NAY-men BIT-teh) — A slice of apple cake to take away, please. (Zum Mitnehmen = to take away; zum Hieressen = to eat here.)
  • Einen Kaffee zum Mitnehmen, bitte. — A coffee to go, please.
  • Haben Sie auch belegte Brötchen? (HAH-ben zee owkh beh-LAYK-teh BRURT-khen) — Do you also have filled rolls?
  • Ist das mit Marzipan? (ist dahs mit mahr-tsee-PAHN) — Does that contain marzipan? (Useful — it is everywhere in the north.)

Bakery vocabulary: das Vollkornbrot (whole-grain bread), das Roggenbrot (rye bread), der Kuchen (cake), die Torte (layered cake/gateau), das Plunderstückchen (Danish pastry), die Streuselschnecke (crumb-topped swirl), der Donut (same, German pronunciation).

Beer and Wine Ordering, Leveled Up

Close-up of freshly baked salted pretzels

Move beyond ein Bier, bitte with the styles Germans actually order:

  • Ein Pils, bitte. (ine pils BIT-teh) — A pilsner, please. (Bitter, northern default.)
  • Ein Helles, bitte. (ine HEL-es BIT-teh) — A helles lager, please. (Mild, Bavarian default.)
  • Ein Weißbier, bitte. (ine VICE-beer BIT-teh) — A wheat beer, please. (Cloudy, tall glass, banana-clove notes.)
  • Ein Dunkles, bitte. (ine DUNK-les BIT-teh) — A dark lager, please.
  • Ein Radler, bitte. (ine RAHD-ler BIT-teh) — A shandy, please. (Beer + lemonade.)
  • Ein Alkoholfreies, bitte. (ine ahl-koh-HOHL-fry-es BIT-teh) — A non-alcoholic beer, please. (Germany’s alcohol-free beers are genuinely excellent.)
  • Eine Weinschorle, bitte. (INE-eh VINE-shor-leh BIT-teh) — A wine spritzer, please.

Wine words: trocken (dry), halbtrocken (off-dry), lieblich (sweet), der Rotwein / Weißwein / Rosé. In wine regions (Mosel, Rheingau, Pfalz), ask “Was ist Ihr offener Wein?” (what is your house wine by the glass?).

Dessert Course Phrases

  • Was gibt es als Nachtisch? (vahs gipt es ahls NAHKH-tish) — What is there for dessert?
  • Haben Sie Eis? (HAH-ben zee ice) — Do you have ice cream?
  • Eine Kugel Vanille, bitte. (INE-eh KOO-gel vah-NIL-eh BIT-teh) — One scoop of vanilla, please. (Zwei Kugeln = two scoops.)
  • Mit Sahne, bitte. (mit ZAH-neh BIT-teh) — With whipped cream, please.
  • Die Rechnung stimmt nicht ganz. (dee REKH-nung shtimt nikht gahnts) — The bill isn’t quite right. (Polite way to flag an error.)
  • Könnten Sie mir das einpacken? (KURN-ten zee meer dahs INE-pahk-en) — Could you wrap that up for me? (Leftovers — increasingly normal in Germany.)

Splitting the Bill and Group Dining

Classic Bavarian pretzel on a blue plate
  • Wir möchten getrennt zahlen. (veer MOOKH-ten geh-TRENT TSAH-len) — We’d like to pay separately. (Say it when ordering, not at the end — it saves everyone confusion.)
  • Jeder zahlt für sich. (YAY-der tsahlt foor zikh) — Everyone pays for themselves.
  • Ich lade euch ein. (ikh LAH-deh oykh ine) — I’m treating you all. (Informal — for friends.)
  • Geht das auch mit Karte? (gayt dahs owkh mit KAR-teh) — Can I pay by card too?
  • Kann ich den Beleg haben? (kahn ikh dayn beh-LAYK HAH-ben) — Can I have the receipt?

Group dining in Germany is refreshingly uncomplicated: splitting is normal, nobody judges, and servers handle getrennt orders all day. For market-stall snacking between meals, our shopping phrases cover street food, and small talk phrases will get you chatting with the table next to you.

Quick-Fire: 10 More Phrases for Cafés and Imbisse

The Imbiss (snack stand — die Currywurstbude, der Dönerladen) is where Germany eats fast and well:

  • Einmal Currywurst mit Pommes, bitte. (INE-mahl KOO-ree-voorst mit POM-es BIT-teh) — One currywurst with fries, please. (Einmal = “one time” — the standard way to order one of something at counters.)
  • Mit alles und scharf. (mit AH-les unt sharf) — With everything and spicy. (The confident Döner order.)
  • Zum Mitnehmen. (tsoom mit-NAY-men) — To take away.
  • Zum Hieressen. (tsoom HEER-es-en) — To eat here.
  • Ist hier noch frei? (ist heer nokh fry) — Is this seat free? (Imbiss counters are communal.)
  • Was kostet eine Bratwurst? (vahs KOS-tet INE-eh BRAHT-voorst) — How much is a bratwurst?
  • Mit Senf, bitte. (mit zenf BIT-teh) — With mustard, please. (Süßer Senf = sweet mustard, the Bavarian way.)
  • Ohne Zwiebeln. (OH-neh TSVEE-beln) — Without onions.
  • Einmal alles. (INE-mahl AH-les) — One of everything. (Said with confidence at a bakery display — the staff will pick the hits.)
  • Danke, tschüss! (DAHN-keh tchuess) — Thanks, bye! (The standard warm Imbiss goodbye.)

Key Takeaways

Latte and dessert on a rustic wooden café table outdoors

These 50 German restaurant phrases ordering guide you from door to bill: seating requests, menu questions, the all-purpose Ich hätte gern, drink orders for cafés and bars, compliments that make servers’ days, allergy and dietary phrases that keep you safe, and the pay-and-tip sequence that closes every meal correctly. Memorize the Big 5, screenshot the rest, and pair this list with our full restaurant walkthrough and the 100 essential travel phrases. Guten Appetit!