B1Norwegian

Ordering at a Restaurant

These phrases will help you confidently order food, ask about the menu, and handle the bill at a Norwegian restaurant.

Key Phrases

Voice
Getting a table · 2 ways to say it

Et bord for to, takk.

neutral

A table for two, please.

A short and common way to ask for a table when entering a restaurant.

Har dere et ledig bord som vi kan få?

polite

Do you have a free table that we can have?

More polite, using a relative clause to soften the request.

Ordering drinks · 2 ways to say it

En øl til meg, takk.

neutral

A beer for me, please.

Direct and standard way to order a drink for yourself.

Jeg vil gjerne ha et glass rødvin.

polite

I would like to have a glass of red wine.

A slightly more polite way to order, using 'vil gjerne'.

Ordering food · 2 ways to say it

Jeg tar en burger.

neutral

I'll have a burger.

A standard, everyday way to order a main dish.

Jeg har hørt at fisken er veldig god, så jeg vil gjerne prøve den.

polite

I have heard that the fish is very good, so I would like to try it.

Shows conversational skill by combining a statement with your order.

Dietary requirements · 2 ways to say it

Er det nøtter i denne retten?

neutral

Are there nuts in this dish?

A direct question to check for specific ingredients.

Jeg er allergisk mot melk, så kan maten lages uten?

polite

I am allergic to milk, so can the food be made without it?

Explains the reason politely and uses the passive voice 'lages'.

Asking for a recommendation

Hva vil du anbefale at vi velger fra menyen i dag?

polite

What would you recommend that we choose from the menu today?

A polite way to ask the waiter for their suggestion.

Praising the food · 2 ways to say it

Maten smakte helt fantastisk!

neutral

The food tasted absolutely fantastic!

A standard, enthusiastic compliment to give the waiter.

Alt var nydelig, spesielt desserten som ble servert til slutt.

polite

Everything was wonderful, especially the dessert that was served at the end.

A formal compliment using the passive voice.

Asking for the bill · 2 ways to say it

Regningen, takk.

neutral

The bill, please.

The most common and direct way to ask to pay.

Kan vi få betale, takk?

polite

Can we pay, please?

A softer, slightly more polite way to request the bill.

Paying · 2 ways to say it

Tar dere kort, eller er det bare kontanter?

neutral

Do you take cards, or is it only cash?

Useful to confirm payment methods before the bill arrives.

Kan regningen deles i to, eller må vi betale samlet?

polite

Can the bill be split in two, or must we pay together?

Politely asks about splitting the bill, using the passive voice 'deles'.

Practice Dialogue

Guest
Hei! Har dere et ledig bord for to?
Waiter
Ja, vi har et bord ved vinduet som nettopp ble ledig.
Guest
Perfekt. Hva vil du anbefale fra menyen i dag?
Waiter
Laksen vår er veldig populær, fordi den er så fersk.
Guest
Høres bra ut. Jeg har hørt at den er god, så jeg tar laksen.
Waiter
Flott valg. Og hva ønsker dere å drikke?
Guest
En øl til meg, takk, og et glass hvitvin.
Waiter
Den er grei. Maten vil bli servert om litt.

More Eating & Drinking Out (B1)

← All Norwegian survival phrases