Café & Drinks

1. Ein Bier, bitte

   A beer, please

   Usage

   Used to order a beer at a beer garden, restaurant, or bar

   Grammar Note

   "Bier" is neuter so the article is "ein." Also useful: "Ein großes Bier" (a large beer), "Ein Weizen" (wheat beer)

2. Einen Kaffee, bitte

   A coffee, please

   Usage

   Used to order a coffee at a café or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Kaffee" is masculine, so the accusative article is "einen." Add "mit Milch" (with milk) or "schwarz" (black)

3. Ich hätte gerne ein Glas Wein

   I would like a glass of wine

   Usage

   Used to politely order a glass of wine at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Hätte gerne" uses subjunctive II for polite requests. Specify "Rotwein" (red) or "Weißwein" (white wine)

4. Kann ich die Speisekarte sehen?

   Can I see the menu?

   Usage

   Used to request the menu at a restaurant or bar

   Grammar Note

   Swap "Speisekarte" for "Getränkekarte" (drinks menu) or "Weinkarte" (wine list) for more specific requests

5. Bitte ein Glas Wasser

   A glass of water, please

   Usage

   Used to request water; note that sparkling water is common in Germany

   Grammar Note

   German restaurants typically serve sparkling water. Say "stilles Wasser" to get still (non-carbonated) water

6. Prost!

   Cheers!

   Usage

   The classic German toast used when clinking glasses and starting to drink

   Grammar Note

   "Prost" is the casual toast. In formal settings, "Auf Ihr Wohl!" (to your health!) is also used

7. Einen Tee mit Milch, bitte

   A tea with milk, please

   Usage

   Used to order tea with milk at a café

   Grammar Note

   "Tee" is masculine, hence "einen" in accusative. Also useful: "mit Zucker" (with sugar), "ohne Milch" (without milk)

8. Die Rechnung, bitte

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Used to request the bill at the end of a meal or drinks

   Grammar Note

   "Rechnung" is feminine, so the article is "die." "Zahlen, bitte" is another common way to ask for the bill

9. Haben Sie alkoholfreie Getränke?

   Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?

   Usage

   Used by non-drinkers or designated drivers to ask about alcohol-free options

   Grammar Note

   "Alkoholfrei" = "alkohol" + "frei" (free of). Same pattern: "zuckerfrei" (sugar-free), "laktosefrei" (lactose-free)

10. Was empfehlen Sie zu trinken?

    What do you recommend to drink?

    Usage

    Used to ask a waiter for a drink recommendation when unfamiliar with the menu

    Grammar Note

    "Empfehlen Sie" is the formal inverted question. Swap "zu trinken" for "zu essen" to ask about food recommendations

11. ohne Eis

    No ice

    Usage

    Show this when ordering a drink to ask for it without ice

12. das Mineralwasser

    Mineral water

    Usage

    Point to this to order bottled water

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun; in Germany it is sparkling by default — ask for "stilles Wasser" if you want still water

13. heißes Wasser

    Hot water

    Usage

    Point to this to ask for hot water for formula, tea, or instant noodles

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