Ordering Food in German vocabulary, grammar, and phrases for dining out, including how to order, ask questions, and handle payments confidently.
Ordering food in German is a practical skill for any trip to a German-speaking country. This guide covers essential vocabulary, common phrases, and conversation tips to help you order confidently in cafes, restaurants, bakeries, and more. From asking for the menu to paying the bill, you'll learn how to navigate typical dining situations with ease.
Basic Ordering Vocabulary
Here are some fundamental German words and phrases youâll need to get started when ordering food:
| German Word / Phrase | English Translation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| das MenĂŒ / die Speisekarte | menu | Kann ich die Speisekarte haben? | Can I have the menu? |
| ich möchte | I would like | Ich möchte einen Kaffee. | I would like a coffee. |
| bitte | please | Einen Kaffee, bitte. | A coffee, please. |
| danke | thank you | Danke fĂŒr das Essen. | Thank you for the food. |
| bezahlen | to pay | Können wir bitte bezahlen? | Can we pay, please? |
| der Kellner / die Kellnerin | waiter / waitress | Die Kellnerin ist sehr freundlich. | The waitress is very friendly. |
| bestellen | to order | Wir möchten jetzt bestellen. | We would like to order now. |
| die Rechnung | the bill | Die Rechnung, bitte. | The bill, please. |
| noch etwas | anything else | Möchten Sie noch etwas? | Would you like anything else? |
| aus | from / out of | Ich nehme das aus der Speisekarte. | Iâll take that from the menu. |
Food & Drink Items
Here are common food and drink items you might order in a German-speaking restaurant or café:
| German Singular / Plural | English Singular / Plural | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Kaffee / die Kaffees | coffee / coffees | Ich nehme einen Kaffee. | Iâll have a coffee. |
| der Tee / die Tees | tea / teas | Möchten Sie Tee oder Kaffee? | Would you like tea or coffee? |
| das Wasser | water | Ein Glas Wasser, bitte. | A glass of water, please. |
| das Bier / die Biere | beer / beers | Ein Bier, bitte. | A beer, please. |
| der Wein / die Weine | wine / wines | Ein Glas Wein, bitte. | A glass of wine, please. |
| das Brot / die Brote | bread / breads | Ich hÀtte gern Brot. | I would like bread. |
| die Suppe / die Suppen | soup / soups | Gibt es heute Suppe? | Is there soup today? |
| der Salat / die Salate | salad / salads | Einen Salat, bitte. | A salad, please. |
| das Dessert / die Desserts | dessert / desserts | Was gibt es zum Dessert? | What is there for dessert? |
| der Kuchen / die Kuchen | cake / cakes | Ich nehme ein StĂŒck Kuchen. | Iâll take a piece of cake. |
Ein Glas ___, bitte.
How do you say 'glass of water' in German?
Wasser
'Wasser' means 'water.' 'Wein' is 'wine,' 'Bier' is 'beer,' and 'Saft' is 'juice.'
ïž Common Phrases for Ordering
Here are some typical sentences to help you place your order and interact with the staff:
| German Phrase | English Translation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kann ich bitte ... haben? | Can I have ... please? | Kann ich bitte einen Apfelkuchen haben? | Can I have an apple cake, please? |
| Ich hÀtte gern ... | I would like ... | Ich hÀtte gern eine Tasse Tee. | I would like a cup of tea. |
| Was empfehlen Sie? | What do you recommend? | Was empfehlen Sie heute? | What do you recommend today? |
| Gibt es ...? | Is there ...? | Gibt es vegetarische Gerichte? | Are there vegetarian dishes? |
| Ich bin allergisch gegen ... | Iâm allergic to ... | Ich bin allergisch gegen NĂŒsse. | Iâm allergic to nuts. |
| Können wir bitte zahlen? | Can we pay, please? | Können wir bitte zahlen? | Can we pay, please? |
| Stimmt so. | Keep the change. | Euro. Stimmt so. | euros. Keep the change. |
| Noch etwas? | Anything else? | Möchten Sie noch etwas? | Would you like anything else? |
| Es hat sehr gut geschmeckt. | It tasted very good. | Es hat sehr gut geschmeckt, danke. | It tasted very good, thank you. |
| Danke, das reicht. | No, thank you. / Thatâs enough. | Danke, das reicht. | No, thank you. / Thatâs enough. |
âđ€âđ§ Tips for Smooth Conversations
Here are some tips to help your ordering experience go smoothly:
- Be polite: Always use bitte (please) and danke (thank you) â it goes a long way in German-speaking cultures.
- Speak slowly and clearly: Donât worry about having a perfect accent; clear pronunciation matters more.
- Use simple sentences: Short phrases like Ich hÀtte gern... or Kann ich... haben? are easy to understand.
- Bring allergies up early: If you have dietary restrictions, mention them before ordering.
- Listen for questions: Waitstaff might ask Möchten Sie noch etwas? or Wie möchten Sie das? â be ready to respond.
- Practice your numbers: Be comfortable saying amounts and prices, like zwei Euro fĂŒnfzig (2.50 euros).
- Donât be afraid to ask: If you donât understand something, say Entschuldigung, können Sie das wiederholen? (Sorry, can you repeat that?).
Ordering food in German is all about using key phrases and being polite. With these vocabulary lists and tips, youâre ready to enjoy the local cuisine with confidence!
Which two words are essential for being polite when ordering in German?
bitte, danke
'Bitte' means 'please' and 'danke' means 'thank you.' These are key for polite interactions. 'Jetzt' means 'now,' 'schnell' means 'fast,' and 'hallo' means 'hello.'
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Translation: menu
- English Example: Can I have the menu?
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
