Ordering at a Restaurant
These phrases will help you navigate a Norwegian restaurant naturally, from asking for recommendations to ordering your meal and settling the bill.
Key Phrases
Har dere en meny på engelsk?
neutralDo you have a menu in English?
Useful if you are struggling with the Norwegian menu.
Vi er klare til å bestille.
neutralWe are ready to order.
Use this to get the waiter's attention when you know what you want.
Hva er bra her?
casualWhat's good here?
Informal, great for cafes or casual pubs.
Hva anbefaler du?
neutralWhat do you recommend?
The standard way to ask for a suggestion from the staff.
Kan jeg få laksen?
casualCan I get the salmon?
A very common, straightforward way to order in Norway.
Jeg vil gjerne ha laksen.
neutralI would like the salmon.
A standard, slightly more polite way to state what you want.
Vi tar suppen til forrett.
casualWe will take the soup for a starter.
Using 'tar' (take) is extremely common when ordering items.
En øl, takk.
casualA beer, please.
Short and direct, very normal in casual settings.
Kan vi få en mugge vann?
neutralCan we get a pitcher of water?
Tap water is generally free and safe to drink in Norwegian restaurants.
Er det kjøtt i denne?
neutralIs there meat in this?
A simple way to double-check dietary restrictions.
Kan vi få betale?
casualCan we pay?
A direct but perfectly acceptable way to settle the bill.
Kan vi få regningen, takk?
politeCan we get the bill, please?
More polite, asking for the physical bill to be brought over.