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Mastering Restaurant German: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks Like a Local visualisation

Mastering Restaurant German: A Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks Like a Local

Learn how to order food and drinks in German restaurants effortlessly!
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Here is a guide on how to order food and drinks in a German restaurant with useful phrases and polite expressions.

Ordering Food in German

  • Polite way to order is to use “Ich hätte gern…” or “Ich möchte…” which means “I would like…”
  • Example: “Ich hätte gern das Schnitzel, bitte.” (I would like the schnitzel, please.)
  • To ask for the menu: “Die Speisekarte, bitte.” (The menu, please.)
  • To ask for recommendations: “Was empfehlen Sie?” (What do you recommend?)
  • When ready to order: “Ich möchte jetzt bestellen.” (I would like to order now.)
  • To check if that is all: “Ist das alles?” (Is that everything?)

Ordering Drinks in German

  • Start with “Ich hätte gern…” for drinks as well.
  • Example: “Ein Bier, bitte.” (A beer, please.)
  • For ordering more than one: Use “einmal” (once), “zweimal” (twice), e.g., “Zweimal Bier, bitte.” (Two beers, please.)
  • To ask what beer types they have: “Was für Bier haben Sie?”
  • A polite touch is to say “bitte” (please) after the order and “Danke” (thank you) when the order is received.

Useful General Phrases

  • “Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.” (A table for two, please.)
  • “Ist dieser Platz frei?” (Is this seat taken?)
  • “Haben Sie vegetarische Gerichte?” (Do you have vegetarian dishes?)
  • “Sonst noch etwas?” (Anything else?)
  • “Zahlen, bitte!” (The bill, please!)
  • Always say “bitte” (please) and “danke” (thank you) to be polite.

This set of phrases will help confidently navigate ordering food and drinks in German restaurants with proper etiquette and politeness.

References

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