A meal in Germany is a relaxed affair, and a few words will take you a long way. Here are the words and phrases for the table, from the menu to the bill, and some customs that help you to fit in.
Sitting down
You can often just walk in and choose a table in a café, but in many restaurants you wait to be shown to one. If the place is busy, you may be asked to share, which is quite normal in a traditional inn. To ask, say Ist hier noch frei? (“Is this seat free?”).
Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
A table for two, please.
Ist hier noch frei?
Is this seat free?
The Speisekarte lists the food, and drinks are often on a separate card. A meal can have a Vorspeise, a Hauptgericht and a Nachtisch, though plenty of people only order a main course.
Ordering
To get the Kellner’s attention, catch their eye and say Entschuldigung. Calling out “Kellner!” is not done. To order, the polite phrase is Ich hätte gern … (“I would like …”), or simply Ich nehme … (“I’ll have …”).
Ich hätte gern eine Suppe und ein Schnitzel.
I would like a soup and a schnitzel.
Ich nehme ein Bier.
I’ll have a beer.
Water usually has to be ordered and paid for, and you will be asked whether you want it with or without Kohlensäure (fizz). A Schorle, juice mixed with sparkling water, is a popular soft drink.
If you have a dietary need, these phrases will help:
Ist das vegetarisch?
Is this vegetarian?
Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse.
I am allergic to nuts.
Paying
In Germany the bill does not arrive until you ask for it. Say Zahlen, bitte! or catch the waiter’s eye. You normally pay at the table, and the waiter will ask whether you are paying together or separately: Zusammen oder getrennt?
A Trinkgeld is customary, but smaller than in some countries. People often round up the bill and say the total they want to pay, or say Stimmt so, which means “keep the change”.
And before you start eating, you can wish everyone Guten Appetit!.