To experience a country’s culture, you have to get to know their food! In Germany, you’ll find a wealth of opportunities to eat well. From Currywurst to Schnitzel, German food capitalizes on old standbys and new favorites that locals and hungry travelers alike will enjoy.
It would be tragic to visit Germany and miss out on a beloved dish. To ensure you make the most of every menu, here’s a comprehensive list of German dining vocabulary to help you eat through everything Germany has to offer, including:
- Must-try German food
- How to order food in German
- How to order at a fine dining restaurant in German
- Common menu words and items in German
- Understanding German fast food culture
- German biergarten basics
Let’s dive into the good stuff.
The best German foods to try
With so many unique dishes, it’s hard to condense German cuisine into a single list. If you have to pack your dining tour into the span of several days or weeks, this top 10 list of German foods is the perfect place to start.
| German | English |
| Bratwurst | Grilled or pan fried sausage. |
| Schnitzel | A thin, breaded, fried cutlet typically made from pork. |
| Spaetzle | Similar to pasta, spaetzle is often served as an accompaniment to schnitzel. |
| Reibekuchen | A fried potato pancake, similar to a latke and often served with applesauce. It’s a popular staple at seasonal Christmas markets. |
| Kartoffelknödel | Potato dumplings, reminiscent of Matzo balls or the satisfying, doughy spheres adorning the classic American dish of chicken and dumplings. |
| Maultaschen | The German equivalent to Italy’s ravioli, though Maultaschen is even more versatile, varying from sweet to savory. |
| Rinderrouladen | Sliced beef stuffed with bacon, onions, mustard, and pickles. |
| Bretzel | The iconic German pretzel. |
| Bauernbrot | A fruit-studded loaf of Stollen might catch the eye of visiting tourists, but Bauernbrot is the tastier, everyday staple loaf that can’t be missed. |
| Apfelstrudel | Strudel describes the swirl in this buttery, flaky, apple-studded desert. |
How to order food in German
Whether you’re at a Cafe or a Biergarten, you’ll need to know basic sentences to help you request what food (das Essen) you want, ask for recommendations, and pay the bill. Plus, when the food is good, it’s always nice to let the staff know that your meal exceeded expectations. Below, you’ll find phrases you can use in any dining situation.
| German | English |
| Haben Sie…? | Do you have…? |
| Was können Sie empfehlen? | What can you recommend? |
| Was sind vegetarische Optionen? | What are the vegetarian options? |
| Gibt es vegane Optionen? | What are the vegan options? |
| I’m allergic to… | Ich bin allergisch gegen… |
| Ich hätte gerne… | I would like to have… |
| die Speisekarte | the menu |
| Das ist alles, danke. | That’s all, thank you |
| Das Essen schmeckt lecker! | The food tastes very good! |
| Das war vorzüglich! | That was delicious! |
| Zum Wohl! / Prost! | Cheers! |
| Ich bin voll./Ich bin satt. | I’m so full |
| Ich möchte bitte bezahlen. | I would like to pay |
| Die Rechnung, bitte | The bill, please |
| Kann ich mit EC-Karte zahlen? | Do you take debit cards? |
| Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen? | Do you take credit cards? |
| Stimmt so! | Keep the change! |
How to order at a fine dining restaurant in German
Fine dining is by no means the norm in Germany; there’s good food to be had in every setting. But if you’re looking to treat yourself to something a little more upscale—and if you actually remember to make that reservation—you’ll want to expand your vocabulary to make the most of it.
| German | English |
| Ich würde gerne einen Tisch reservieren… | I’d like to reserve a table… |
| Ich hätte gerne einen Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte. | I’d like a table for two, please. |
| Ich habe einen Tisch auf den Namen ……. reserviert. | I made a reservation under the name… |
| Ich würde gerne einen Tisch für zwei Personen, für heute um neunzehn Uhr auf den Namen ….. reservieren. | I’d like to reserve a table for two at seven o’clock today under the name… |
| Haben Sie Platz für eine Gruppe von vier Personen? | Do you have any tables available for a group of four? |
| Wie lang ist die Wartezeit? | How long is the wait? |
| Ich hätte gerne ein Glas Wein, bitte. | I would like to have a glass of wine, please. |
| Kann ich bitte einen Cocktail bekommen? | May I please order a cocktail? |
| Haben Sie…? | Do you have…? |
| eine Speisekarte auf Englisch | A menu in English |
| eine Kinderkarte | A children’s menu |
| eine Dessertkarte | A dessert menu |
| eine Weinkarte | A wine menu |
| eine Getränkekarte | A beverage menu |
| Bieten Sie Spezialitäten der Region an? | Do you offer regional specialties? |
| Guten Appetit! | Enjoy your meal! |
Common menu words and items in German
Schnitzel is umwerfend (“amazing”)—so crispy and perfectly savory, you might actually want to eat it for every Mahlzeit (“meal”) you have in Germany. Whether you should is a whole different question. When you need a break from the German classics, these words and phrases will help you identify the basics on every menu.
| German | English |
| Brot | Bread |
| Aufschnitt | Cold cuts |
| Käse | Cheese |
| Gemüse | Vegetables |
| Früchte; Obst | Fruit |
| Salat | Salad |
| Suppe | Soup |
| Sandwich/belegtes Brot | Sandwich |
| Schweinefleisch | Pork |
| Rindfleisch | Beef |
| Hühnchen | Chicken |
| Fisch | Fish |
| Wasser | Water |
| Brause | Soda |
| Kaffee | Coffee |
| Tee | Tea |
| Frühstück | Breakfast |
| Mittagessen | Lunch |
| Abendbrot/Abendessen | Dinner |
Understanding German fast food culture
Fast food has earned a permanent place in Germany’s food scene, where outlets are called Imbissbude. Fortunately, your options are much wider and more unique than the Golden Arches. Currywurst—a fried Bratwurst in a rich curry sauce—is a staple for street-side, late-night eats, as is the Döner kebab from Turkey. When you’re in the mood for something fast and filling, here are the phrases you can lean on to get exactly what you’re craving.
| German | English |
| Ich habe Hunger auf eine Bratwurst. | I am hungry for a bratwurst. |
| Ich habe Appetit auf eine Currywurst mit Pommes. | I’m in the mood for a bratwurst with curry sauce and french fries. |
| Ich hätte gerne… | I’d like… |
| Pommes rot-weiß | A serving of fries, red and white (ketchup and mayonnaise) |
| ein Döner mit Allem | A döner with everything |
| ein belegtes Brötchen | A sandwich roll |
| ein halbes Hähnchen | Half of a grilled chicken |
| Bitte mit extra … | Please double up on… |
| Käse | Cheese |
| Fleisch | Meat |
| Gurke | Pickles |
| Salat | Lettuce |
| Könnte ich eine halbe Portion bekommen? | Could I get half a serving? |
| Zum mitnehmen, bitte. | To go, please. |
| Zum hier essen, bitte. | For here, please. |
| Können Sie das bitte einpacken? | Could you box it up please? |
| Haben Sie eine Tüte? | Do you have a bag? |
German Biergärten basics
Biergärten are a staple throughout Germany, but you’ll also find them in Switzerland and Austria, where many locals speak German! They’re known for their open, communal atmosphere. Since they’re primarily outdoors, they’re best enjoyed in the warmer months, between April and October. Biergärten typically serve food, but beer is the main attraction. The list of phrases below can help you enjoy every pint:
| German | English |
| Ein Bier, bitte. | One beer, please. |
| Können wir hier sitzen? | Can we sit here? |
| Könnte ich die Getränkekarte sehen? | Could I please see the drinks menu? |
| Was mögen Sie hier am liebsten? | What’s your favorite here? |
| Vielen Dank! | Many thanks! |
| Noch ein Bier bitte! | Another, please! |
| Pils / Pilsner / Pilsener | A crisp and hoppy beer. |
| Weißbier | A malty, bready, fruity wheat beer. |
| Kölsch | Similar to a Pilsner, this beer is slightly less bitter and served in a much smaller glass. |
| Dunkles | A dark beer. |
| Radler/Alster | A light beer mixed with lemon soda. |
Boost your German vocabulary with Rosetta Stone
With so much amazing food to be had across Germany, you’ll have ample opportunity to put these phrases to good use!
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