A German meal out has a rhythm, and most of it is predictable. You seat yourself, you order in one go, you're asked whether everything's alright exactly once, and at the end comes the question that catches every newcomer: Zusammen oder getrennt? — together or separately?
Germans split bills routinely, down to who had the second beer, and waiters are practised at it. Saying getrennt is completely normal and nobody minds.
Getting a Table
A table for two, please.
Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
Do you have a table free?
Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?
I have a reservation.
Ich habe reserviert.
Under the name Bauer.
Auf den Namen Bauer.
Can we sit outside?
Können wir draußen sitzen?
Is this seat free?
Ist hier frei?
We'd like to sit by the window.
Wir möchten gern am Fenster sitzen.
Practice these words
Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
Quick notes:
- In many casual places you seat yourself — look for a Bitte setzen Sie sich sign, or ask Ist hier frei?
- A table marked Stammtisch is reserved for regulars, even if it's empty. Don't take it.
- In a busy beer garden, sitting down with strangers is normal. Ask Ist hier noch frei? first.
Ordering
The menu, please.
Die Karte, bitte.
What can you recommend?
Was können Sie empfehlen?
What's today's special?
Was ist das Tagesgericht?
I'll have the schnitzel.
Ich nehme das Schnitzel.
I'd like…
Ich hätte gern…
One schnitzel, please.
Einmal Schnitzel, bitte.
And for me…
Und für mich…
What is that exactly?
Was ist das genau?
Is there meat in it?
Ist da Fleisch drin?
I'm a vegetarian.
Ich bin Vegetarier / Vegetarierin.
I'm allergic to nuts.
Ich habe eine Nussallergie.
Without onions, please.
Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.
A small / large beer.
Ein kleines / großes Bier.
Another one, please.
Noch eins, bitte.
Practice these words
Die Karte, bitte.
Quick notes:
- Einmal…, bitte is the standard way to order a portion of something: Einmal Currywurst, bitte, Zweimal Kaffee.
- Germans generally order food and drinks in one go, and the waiter takes the whole table at once. Ordering in dribs and drabs slows everyone down.
- Ich hätte gern is the polite form and always works. Ich will sounds rude.
During the Meal
Enjoy your meal!
Guten Appetit!
Is everything alright?
Alles in Ordnung?
Yes, thank you, it's delicious.
Ja, danke, sehr lecker.
Could we have some more bread?
Könnten wir noch Brot haben?
Excuse me, I didn't order this.
Entschuldigung, das habe ich nicht bestellt.
This is cold.
Das ist kalt.
Where are the toilets?
Wo sind die Toiletten?
Could you pack this up for me?
Können Sie mir das einpacken?
Practice these words
Guten Appetit!
Quick notes:
- To get a waiter's attention, make eye contact and say Entschuldigung. Waving hard or calling Herr Ober is old-fashioned and reads badly.
- The waiter will usually ask Hat es geschmeckt? ("did it taste good?") when clearing plates. Ja, sehr gut, danke is the whole answer.
- Bread on the table is often not free. Check the menu.
Paying
We'd like to pay.
Wir möchten zahlen.
The bill, please.
Die Rechnung, bitte.
Together or separately?
Zusammen oder getrennt?
Together, please.
Zusammen, bitte.
Separately, please.
Getrennt, bitte.
I had the soup and a beer.
Ich hatte die Suppe und ein Bier.
Can I pay by card?
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?
Make it 25.
Machen Sie 25.
Keep the change.
Stimmt so.
Could I have a receipt?
Kann ich eine Quittung haben?
Practice these words
Wir möchten zahlen.
Quick notes:
- You pay at the table, to your waiter. Leaving cash and walking out is not done, and there's usually no till to queue at.
- Zusammen oder getrennt is asked in almost every restaurant. If you're splitting, the waiter will come round the table and tally each person separately.
- Card acceptance has improved a lot, but plenty of smaller restaurants and Kneipen are still cash-only. Check before you order if you have no cash.
How Tipping Actually Works
Tipping in Germany is modest and spoken, not left silently on the table.
The usual amount is 5–10%, or rounding up to a convenient number. The mechanics are what feel unfamiliar: when the waiter tells you the total, you say the amount you want to pay including the tip, and then hand over your money.
- Bill is 22,50 €, you want to give 25 → say "Machen Sie 25" and hand over 30. You get 5 back.
- Bill is 18,80 €, you want to round up → say "20, bitte".
- Exact money, no tip wanted → "Stimmt so" means "keep the change," so only say it when there is change to keep.
Paying by card works the same way: say the total including the tip before they enter it, because German card terminals often have no tip prompt.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving the tip on the table and walking off. It works in some places, but the German way is to say the number when you pay.
Asking for tap water. Leitungswasser is rarely served. Order stilles Wasser or Sprudel.
Waiting to be seated in a casual place. In cafés, Gaststätten and beer gardens, you find your own table.