🇩🇪 Ordering Food at a German Restaurant
German restaurants have their own customs — from ordering to paying. Here are the 10 essential phrases to dine with confidence.
📝 Key phrases
| 🇩🇪 German | 🇬🇧 Translation |
|---|---|
| Die Speisekarte, bitte. | The menu, please. |
| Was empfehlen Sie? | What do you recommend? |
| Ich hätte gerne das Schnitzel. | I'd like the schnitzel. |
| Ist das scharf? | Is that spicy? |
| Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse. | I'm allergic to nuts. |
| Ein Bier, bitte. | A beer, please. |
| Zahlen, bitte. | The check, please. |
| Zusammen oder getrennt? | Together or separate? |
| Stimmt so. | Keep the change. |
| Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? | Can I pay by card? |
Cultural tip
In Germany, "Zahlen, bitte" (the check, please) is how you ask to pay. The waiter usually comes to your table with a portable card reader. Tipping 5–10% is customary.
Common mistake
Don't say "Ich bin voll" (I'm full) — it means "I'm drunk" in German! Say "Ich bin satt" instead.
Did you know?
In Germany, it's common to split the bill individually ("getrennt"). The waiter will ask "Zusammen oder getrennt?" and calculate each person's amount separately.
💬 Conversation with Emma
E
Guten Abend! Haben Sie reserviert?
Good evening! Do you have a reservation?
You
Nein, haben Sie noch einen Tisch frei?
No, do you still have a table available?
E
Ja, für wie viele Personen?
Yes, for how many people?
You
Für zwei. Die Speisekarte, bitte.
For two. The menu, please.
E
Bitte sehr. Möchten Sie etwas zu trinken?
Here you go. Would you like something to drink?
You
Ein Bier, bitte. Was empfehlen Sie?
A beer, please. What do you recommend?
E
Das Wiener Schnitzel ist sehr gut.
The Wiener Schnitzel is very good.
You
Ich hätte gerne das Schnitzel. Zahlen, bitte.
I'd like the schnitzel. The check, please.
E
Zusammen oder getrennt?
Together or separate?
You
Zusammen. Stimmt so!
Together. Keep the change!
Practice this situation out loud
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