Everyday lifeGermany

In restaurants and cafés in Germany

Im Restaurant und Café

Finding a table, ordering, paying separately and tipping: this is how a restaurant visit works in Germany.

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Overview

Eating out in Germany is a relaxed social experience but has its own manners that differ from other countries. Sitting usually goes on for a long time, the waiter does not rush you, and you have to ask for the bill.

Payment is often separate for each person, and the tip is a small amount that rounds the bill up. Muslims or people with dietary restrictions should ask about ingredients. This guide explains the kinds of places and how to book and order, what to say to the waiter, how to pay and tip, how to handle diets, allergies and halal, and table manners.

1

Types of places and booking

There are traditional restaurants (Gasthaus), international restaurants such as Italian, Turkish, Arab and Asian, fast-food outlets, bakeries and cafés, and street-food places (Imbiss) such as doner and sausage stands.

  • In the evening, on holidays and at busy restaurants book a table in advance by phone or on the website.
  • On arrival do not sit down immediately in a table-service restaurant but wait for the waiter to point you to a seat or choose an empty table not marked as reserved.
  • A big table may be shared with strangers in some traditional places, so ask Ist hier noch frei?
2

Ordering and drinks

The waiter brings the menu (Speisekarte) and drinks are ordered first.

  • Water is often not served for free, so you order mineral water (mit Kohlensäure for sparkling and still for plain) and pay for it. Then you order the dishes, and there may be a dish of the day (Tagesgericht) at a good price.
  • Do not hesitate to ask about the dish's ingredients.
  • After the meal the waiter offers desserts and coffee.
  • In fast-food places you order and pay at the counter and wait for your number.
  • Taking photos is acceptable, but avoid disturbing others by raising your voice.
3

Halal, diets and allergies

To find halal restaurants search on maps or use dedicated apps, and Turkish and Arab restaurants are widespread in most cities.

  • In an ordinary restaurant ask the waiter about the meat and its source and about the use of alcohol or animal fat in cooking.
  • The phrase Ich esse kein Schweinefleisch means I do not eat pork, and it helps to add und keinen Alkohol.
  • If you have an allergy state it clearly, since in Europe the law obliges restaurants to inform customers about fourteen main allergens.
  • Vegetarian dishes are also common and are marked vegetarisch or vegan.
4

The bill and the tip

When you finish eating ask for the bill by saying Die Rechnung, bitte or Zahlen, bitte, since the waiter will not bring it on their own.

  • The waiter asks Zusammen oder getrennt?
  • meaning together or separately, and you answer as you wish, since separate payment is quite normal.
  • You pay at the table directly to the waiter and state the amount you want to pay including the tip.
  • The tip (Trinkgeld) is usually about five to ten per cent, or rounding the amount up, and is not compulsory but customary for good service.
  • Check that cards are accepted before ordering, since some take cash only.
5

Table manners and invitations

When the meal begins Germans say Guten Appetit and raise glasses with Prost while looking at the person opposite in the eye.

  • The knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left, and hands are not kept under the table but on its edge.
  • Burping is not considered polite, and you wipe your mouth with the napkin.
  • If someone invites you to a restaurant they may mean that each pays their own bill unless they say Ich lade dich ein, meaning I am inviting you.
  • When invited to a home bring a small gift such as flowers or sweets, be punctual, and tell your host in advance about any dietary restrictions.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Book a table in advance in the evening or on holidays.

  2. 2

    Wait for the waiter to point to a table or ask whether a seat is free.

  3. 3

    Order drinks first, then dishes, and ask about ingredients.

  4. 4

    Ask for the bill when finished and tell the waiter whether you pay together or separately.

  5. 5

    Give a tip of around five to ten per cent when satisfied with the service.

  6. 6

    Take your receipt and check the amount.

Documents checklist

  • Cash and a bank card.
  • Booking confirmation if you booked.
  • A list of your allergies and dietary restrictions in German.
  • A maps app to search for halal restaurants.

Key vocabulary

  • dieSpeisekarte
    menu
  • derKellner
    waiter
  • dieRechnung
    bill
  • dasTrinkgeld
    tip
  • dieVorspeise
    starter
  • dasHauptgericht
    main course
  • derNachtisch
    dessert
  • dasGetränk
    drink
  • dieReservierung
    reservation
  • vegetarisch
    vegetarian
  • dieAllergie
    allergy

Useful phrases

  • Einen Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte.A table for two people, please.
  • Ich hätte gern die Speisekarte.I would like the menu.
  • Ich esse kein Schweinefleisch.I do not eat pork.
  • Ist das Gericht scharf?Is the dish spicy?
  • Getrennt, bitte.Separately, please.
  • Stimmt so.Keep the change.

In the restaurant

  • Kellner

    Guten Abend. Haben Sie reserviert?Good evening. Have you reserved?

  • Sie

    Ja, auf den Namen Ali, für vier Personen.Yes, under the name Ali, for four people.

  • Kellner

    Sehr gern. Hier ist Ihr Tisch. Was möchten Sie trinken?Gladly. Here is your table. What would you like to drink?

  • Sie

    Zwei stille Wasser, bitte. Und ist das Lamm halal?Two still waters, please. And is the lamb halal?

  • Kellner

    Ja, unser Fleisch ist halal. Ich bringe gleich die Karte.Yes, our meat is halal. I will bring the menu right away.

  • Sie

    Danke. Später zahlen wir getrennt.Thanks. Later we will pay separately.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting for the waiter to bring the bill without asking for it.
  • Sitting down in a table-service restaurant without waiting for a signal.
  • Leaving without a tip or paying less than the bill.
  • Assuming a dish is halal or alcohol-free without asking.

Cultural tips

  • Learn the basic dish names in German to understand the menu quickly.
  • Use the lunch special (Mittagstisch) at midday to save money.
  • Take leftovers with you by saying Können Sie mir das einpacken? which is acceptable.
  • When unsure about dishes ask the waiter to recommend, and they are glad to.

Official links

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How do you ask for the bill?

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