German · Restaurant
German phrases at a restaurant
Ten sentences that cover a whole meal: getting a table, ordering, handling an allergy, and paying. Say them out loud before you go.
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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
German · lesson preview
Step 4Wie spät ist es?
What time is it?
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start free10 German sentences at a restaurant
| # | English | German |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A table for two, please. | Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. |
| 2 | Could I see the menu, please? | Könnte ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? |
| 3 | What do you recommend? | Was empfehlen Sie? |
| 4 | I would like the chicken. | Ich hätte gern das Hähnchen. |
| 5 | I do not eat meat. | Ich esse kein Fleisch. |
| 6 | I have a nut allergy. | Ich habe eine Nussallergie. |
| 7 | Water, please. | Wasser, bitte. |
| 8 | How delicious! | Das schmeckt hervorragend! |
| 9 | The bill, please. | Die Rechnung, bitte. |
| 10 | Can I pay by card? | Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? |
Three phrases that save you
You will not always understand the reply. These work in every situation, so learn them first.
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Could you repeat that, please? | Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? |
| Please speak more slowly. | Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer. |
| I do not understand. | Ich verstehe nicht. |
Tips
- Waiters speak quickly. Keep the three rescue phrases at the bottom ready, and use them without apology.
- Order with the polite form (I would like...) rather than a bare demand. It is warmer and it is what locals say.
- Learn your own dietary phrase well. It is the one that matters most.
These sentences use Sie, the polite form, which is right with anyone you do not know. Use du only with friends, children and people who offer it.
More German phrases by situation
How do you say “A table for two, please” in German?
“Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.”.
What are the most useful German phrases at a restaurant?
“Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.” (A table for two, please.) “Könnte ich bitte die Speisekarte haben?” (Could I see the menu, please?) “Was empfehlen Sie?” (What do you recommend?) “Ich hätte gern das Hähnchen.” (I would like the chicken.) “Ich esse kein Fleisch.” (I do not eat meat.)
What should I say if I do not understand the answer in German?
Say “Ich verstehe nicht.” (I do not understand.), then “Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.” (Please speak more slowly.) or “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Could you repeat that, please?).
How do I learn these German phrases quickly?
Say each sentence out loud, not just read it. Ten sentences a day for a week is plenty before a trip. 4ToSpeak has you hear each one, build it, and say it aloud with feedback.
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Free · no card · 77 languages
Be ready to speak German
Ten phrases are a start. Practise them in full German sentences, out loud, with feedback. Free, no card.