At a restaurant and café
Im Restaurant und Café
Order food and drink politely, request changes, and ask to pay together or separately.
Use “ich hätte gern” or “ich nehme” to order. Short requests with “bitte” are normal, and “Zahlen, bitte” asks for the bill.
Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.
I would like a coffee.
Die Speisekarte, bitte.
The menu, please.
Was möchten Sie?
What would you like?
Ich nehme die Suppe.
I will have the soup.
Ohne Zwiebeln, bitte.
Without onions, please.
Noch ein Wasser, bitte.
Another water, please.
Zahlen, bitte.
The bill, please.
Zusammen oder getrennt?
Together or separately?
“hätte gern” is a polite wish; “nehmen” states your choice. “ohne + noun” removes an ingredient.
These phrases take you from requesting the menu through ordering and paying.
“Noch ein Wasser” asks for another water; it does not replace the first order for coffee.
Menu → order → extra request → pay.
Order a drink and meal, remove one ingredient, then ask to pay separately.