Top 50 phrases to get by Germany — Dining out

Speisekarte

Menu

The word 'Speisekarte' comes from 'Speise' (dish) and 'Karte' (card), so it's literally a 'dish card'.

German menus often start with appetizers (Vorspeisen) and include mains (Hauptgerichte) and desserts (Desserts). Coherent structure is key!

Wasser

Water

Remember 'W' in German is pronounced like 'V' in English. So it sounds like 'Vasser'.

In German restaurants, tap water isn't typically offered, so ask specifically for 'Leitungswasser' if you want it.

Bier

Beer

A short and snappy word, but pronounced with a long 'i', like 'beer'.

Germany is famous for its beer culture. Don't miss trying a local brew when visiting!

Wein

Wine

Pronounced 'vine', which rhymes with 'line'.

Germany's Rhine region is renowned for its Riesling wines. Sample some when you're there!

Kaffee

Coffee

'Kaffee' sounds similar to its English counterpart, but with emphasis on the second syllable.

Enjoying coffee and cake (Kaffee und Kuchen) is a cherished afternoon tradition in Germany.

Ich möchte das

I want this

Literally means 'I would like that'. More polite than 'I want'.

Pointing and saying 'Ich möchte das' is a simple way to order when unsure of pronunciation.

Lecker

Delicious

A super useful word to express delight with any meal.

Germans appreciate when their cuisine is complimented with 'lecker'.

Die Rechnung, bitte

The check, please

Literally translates to 'The bill, please'. Politeness goes a long way with 'bitte'.

In Germany, it's common to round up the bill for a tip, usually about 5-10%.

Vegetarisch

Vegetarian

Sounds like 'veh-getah-rish'.

Germany offers a variety of vegetarian options, increasingly so in recent years.