Which German phrases matter most here?

“Haben Sie reserviert?” (Have you booked a table); “Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?” (Do you have a table); “Für wie viele Personen?” (For how many people). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

German phrases for ordering food in a restaurant in Germany

Without a booking, ask “Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?” and say how many you are: “Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte”. Once you’re seated, drinks come first, then food. Ask “Was empfehlen Sie?” and choose with “Ich nehme das Hähnchen”. The server says Sie to you, so use Sie too.

Try it · about two minutes

You arrive at a restaurant without a booking, get a table and ask the server what they recommend.

Sound on: the server speaks German. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

Server
Haben Sie reserviert?
Have you booked a table?
You
Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?
Do you have a table?
Server
Für wie viele Personen?
For how many people?
You
Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
A table for two, please.
Server
Folgen Sie mir, bitte.
Please follow me.
You
Gibt es einen Tisch draußen?
Is there a table outside?
Server
Möchten Sie etwas trinken?
Would you like something to drink?
You
Wasser, bitte.
Water, please.
Server
Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
Are you ready to order?
You
Was empfehlen Sie?
What do you recommend?
Server
Heute empfehle ich das Hähnchen mit Rosmarinkartoffeln. Dazu passt als Vorspeise die Suppe.
Today I recommend the chicken with rosemary potatoes. The soup goes well with it as a starter.
You
Ich nehme das Hähnchen.
I’ll have the chicken.

Which German phrases do you need?

Haben Sie reserviert?
Have you booked a table?
Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?
Do you have a table?
Für wie viele Personen?
For how many people?
Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte.
A table for two, please.
Gibt es einen Tisch draußen?
Is there a table outside?
Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben?
Can I see the menu, please?
Möchten Sie etwas trinken?
Would you like something to drink?
Was empfehlen Sie?
What do you recommend?
Ich hätte gern die Suppe.
I’d like the soup, please.
Ich nehme das Hähnchen.
I’ll have the chicken.

What is worth knowing in Germany?

How a restaurant visit goes

1
Wait just inside the door for a server, unless a sign says to seat yourself.
Do you have a table?
2
The server brings the menu. Drinks are ordered first, then food.
3
The bill doesn’t come until you ask for it.
The bill, please.

Sie, not du

To the server

Was empfehlen Sie?

What do you recommend?

Too casual

Was empfiehlst du?

What do you recommend? (casual)

Servers usually say Sie to guests, and guests say Sie back. Du is for friends, family and children.

Getting the server’s attention

Servers don’t hover. Make eye contact, raise a hand a little and say Entschuldigung. Calling out loudly or clicking your fingers isn’t done.

Entschuldigung, bitte!

Excuse me, please.

Questions about this situation

Which German phrases matter most here?: “Haben Sie reserviert?” (Have you booked a table); “Haben Sie einen Tisch frei?” (Do you have a table); “Für wie viele Personen?” (For how many people). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Germany. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in German

All situations in German

Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

Try free on the App Store (opens the App Store in a new tab)

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.