How to Order at a Restaurant in German: Phrases & Tipping
Ordering in German is straightforward once you know a couple of set phrases — and one quirk about how the bill and tip work that surprises most visitors. Here's what to say at each stage, plus the cultural notes that make the meal go smoothly.
Polite Sie and Ich hätte gern
Use the formal Sie with restaurant staff. The set phrase Ich hätte gern… ("I would like…") is the natural, polite way to order. Ich will… ("I want…") sounds rude — avoid it.
Ordering
Die Speisekarte, bitte.
dee SHPAI-zuh-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh
The menu, please.
Ich hätte gern das Schnitzel.
ikh HET-tuh gairn dass SHNIT-sel
I'd like the schnitzel.
Was können Sie empfehlen?
vass KUR-nen zee emp-FAY-len
What can you recommend?
Ein Bier, bitte.
ain BEER, BIT-tuh
A beer, please.
During the meal
Noch ein Bier, bitte.
nokh ain BEER, BIT-tuh
Another beer, please.
Können Sie das ohne Zwiebeln machen?
KUR-nen zee dass OH-nuh TSVEE-beln MAKH-en
Can you make that without onions?
Es schmeckt sehr gut.
ess shmekt zair GOOT
It tastes very good.
Wo ist die Toilette?
voh ist dee twah-LET-tuh
Where is the toilet?
Paying
Zahlen, bitte.
TSAH-len, BIT-tuh
The bill, please.
Zusammen oder getrennt?
tsoo-ZAM-men OH-der guh-TRENT
Together or separately? (they ask)
Getrennt, bitte.
guh-TRENT, BIT-tuh
Separately, please.
Machen Sie zwanzig.
MAKH-en zee TSVAN-tsikh
Make it twenty. (i.e. round up incl. tip)
Tips to sound natural
- Ich hätte gern… is the polite way to order; never use Ich will… with a server.
- Tipping: round up by roughly 5–10%, and say the total you want to pay as you hand over money (e.g. "Machen Sie zwanzig" for €20).
- You tell the server the tip out loud — don't leave it on the table as you would in the US.
- Tap water isn't standard; order Wasser mit Gas (sparkling) or ohne Gas (still).
Now practice it out loud
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