How do you order food in a German restaurant?

Ordering food is an essential skill in A1 level German, especially if you plan to visit Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. When entering a restaurant, the waiter might greet you with Guten Tag! Was möchten Sie bestellen? (Good day! What would you like to order?).

To order, you can say:

Ich hätte gern eine Suppe. (I would like a soup.)
Ich nehme ein Schnitzel mit Kartoffeln. (I’ll take a schnitzel with potatoes.)
Könnte ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? (Could I have the menu, please?)
When ordering drinks, you can say:

Ich möchte ein Glas Wasser, bitte. (I would like a glass of water, please.)
Ich nehme ein Bier. (I’ll take a beer.)
If you want to ask for the bill, say:

Die Rechnung, bitte! (The bill, please!)
Understanding these expressions in A1 level German will make dining out much easier and help you communicate effectively with restaurant staff.