Ordering at a Restaurant
Use these phrases to read the menu, order your meal and drinks, and ask for the bill at a German restaurant.
Key Phrases
Die Speisekarte, bitte.
neutralThe menu, please.
A direct and standard way to ask for the menu when seated.
Was ist heute gut?
casualWhat is good today?
A relaxed, friendly question for casual diners or bistros.
Was empfehlen Sie?
neutralWhat do you recommend?
Standard polite question addressed to the server using formal 'Sie'.
Einmal die Tagessuppe, bitte.
casualOne soup of the day, please.
'Einmal' is very common everyday spoken shorthand for 'one portion'.
Ich nehme das Tagesgericht.
neutralI'll take the daily special.
The most common everyday pattern for ordering food.
Ich möchte das Schnitzel, bitte.
politeI would like the schnitzel, please.
A courteous fixed formula using 'möchte'.
Ich nehme die Suppe als Vorspeise.
neutralI'll take the soup as a starter.
Use 'als Vorspeise' to clearly separate your courses.
Ich nehme den Fisch als Hauptgericht.
neutralI'll take the fish as the main course.
Use 'als Hauptgericht' to specify your main dish.
Ein Mineralwasser, bitte.
neutralA sparkling water, please.
In Germany, ordering plain 'Wasser' usually gets you sparkling water.
Ich möchte einen Apfelsaft, bitte.
politeI would like an apple juice, please.
Zahlen, bitte!
casualCheck, please!
Short and direct, best for cafes and casual eateries.
Die Rechnung, bitte.
politeThe bill, please.
Standard polite request to finish your meal.