Cafe and restaurant in German
A table, the menu, what you cannot eat, and a compliment to the kitchen. Play the ten German words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 German phrases in this lesson
- Einen Tisch für zwei, bitteEYE-nen TISH fuer TSVYE, BIT-teh
- A table for two
- Die Speisekarte, bittedee SHPYE-zeh-kar-teh, BIT-teh
- The menu, please
- Was empfehlen Sie?vas emp-FAY-len zee
- What do you recommend?
- Ich esse kein...ikh ES-eh KINE
- I don't eat...
- Ich bin allergisch gegen...ikh bin ah-LER-gish GAY-gen
- I'm allergic to...
- FleischFLYSH
- Meat
- HähnchenHAYN-khen
- Chicken
- FischFISH
- Fish
- Es ist leckeres ist LEK-er
- It's delicious
- ProstPROHST
- Cheers
The standard opening line when entering a restaurant. If you have a reservation, add "Ich habe eine Reservierung" (I have a reservation) and your name.
"Speisekarte" is a compound of "Speise" (food/meal) and "Karte" (card/map). In casual cafés you may just see "Karte" or a chalkboard menu.
"Ich esse kein Fleisch", I don't eat meat.
In Bavaria and Austria, "Hendl".
"Lecker" is a very German word of approval, used constantly for food. Saying it to a host or chef is always warmly received. "Sehr lecker" (very tasty) adds extra warmth.
The universal German toast. Make eye contact with each person as you clink glasses; skipping eye contact is said to bring bad luck. "Zum Wohl" is a slightly more refined alternative.