Ich möchte gerne... (“I’d like…”) is what every textbook teaches, and it works—but it sounds a bit too formal for the relaxed way Germans actually order in everyday life, especially in casual bars and restaurants.
The most natural way to order
Instead of full, formal sentences, Germans usually just say the item they want with “bitte” (please) at the end: Ein Bier, bitte (a beer, please) is much more common and natural than a full sentence like Ich möchte gerne ein Bier bestellen.
Für mich... — the most common phrase when ordering as a group
When ordering as a group, it’s common for each person to say für mich... (for me...) followed by their order, letting the waiter know who wants what—much more practical than a full sentence per person.
How to ask for the check
Die Rechnung, bitte (the check, please) is standard. It’s worth knowing that in Germany it’s common to pay separately (getrennt) even when dining in a group—asking “zusammen oder getrennt?” (together or separately?) is routine, and no one finds it strange to split the bill item by item.
Tipping: how it really works
Unlike in Brazil, tipping is neither mandatory nor automatically included—it’s common to round up the amount (by stating the desired total when paying) as a way to tip, typically between 5% and 10% at restaurants.
Useful phrases for dietary restrictions
- Ich bin Vegetarier/Vegetarierin — I’m a vegetarian
- Ohne Fleisch, bitte — no meat, please
- Haben Sie etwas ohne Gluten? — Do you have anything gluten-free?
Practice food vocabulary with native audio
DeutschBloom’s vocabulary section has an entire category dedicated to food and drink, with audio examples.
Explore food vocabularyRelated articles
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