Restaurant German

Dining Out in Germany — What Australians Need to Know

Eating out in Germany is one of the great pleasures of visiting the country — the food is hearty, the beer culture is world-class, and the dining experience has its own distinct character that differs from Australian cafe culture in several important ways.

German restaurants range from the grand (traditional Gasthäuser and Weinstuben) to the casual (the legendary Biergarten and Imbiss street food stands). Each type has its own customs, and knowing the vocabulary for each transforms the experience from tourist to local.

This guide covers everything from reading a German menu to paying the bill — with specific attention to the customs that trip up Australian visitors most often.

Essential Restaurant Vocabulary

Getting a Table and Ordering

Ordering Drinks in German

Germany has one of the world's great drinking cultures. Beer (Bier) is the national drink, but wine regions like the Mosel, Rhine and Baden produce excellent German wines. Ordering correctly — and understanding what you will be asked — makes the experience far more enjoyable.

Tip: In Germany, water is not free at restaurants — you will be served and charged for bottled water. If you want tap water (Leitungswasser), you can ask for it but some establishments may decline or charge. Always specify mit Gas (sparkling) or ohne Gas (still) when ordering water.

Dietary Requirements and Allergies in German

Note for vegetarians and vegans: Traditional German cuisine is very meat-heavy. Vegetarian options have improved significantly in German cities, particularly Berlin which has an excellent vegan scene. In rural areas and traditional Gasthäuser, vegetarian options may be limited to side dishes and salads. It is worth checking menus online before visiting.

Paying the Bill — German Restaurant Customs

Paying in Germany is different from Australia in several important ways that catch Australians off guard:

• Splitting the bill is normal and expected. Germans regularly split bills exactly — each person pays for what they ordered. The waiter will go around the table taking individual payments. This is not considered rude or complicated.
• You tell the waiter the amount you want to pay. Rather than leaving money and waiting for change, you tell the waiter the total you want to pay. If your bill is €18.50 and you want to leave a €20 tip rounding, say Zwanzig Euro, bitte (twenty euros please) and they will not return change.
• Stimmt so means "keep the change" — use it when you hand over more than the bill amount and want no change returned.
• Cash is often required. Many German restaurants — particularly smaller and traditional ones — are cash only. Check before you sit down.

Restaurant German FAQs for Australians

How do you get a waiter's attention in Germany?

Say Entschuldigung (excuse me) and make eye contact, or raise your hand slightly. Unlike some European countries, calling Kellner! (waiter!) is considered impolite in Germany. Be patient — German service is generally more measured than Australian cafe culture and waiters will not rush you.

Is tipping expected in German restaurants?

Yes, tipping is expected but at lower rates than Australia or the US. Rounding up to the nearest euro or leaving 5–10% for good service is standard. Tip by telling the waiter the total you want to pay rather than leaving cash on the table. For exceptional service, 15% is generous and very appreciated.

What is a Biergarten and how does it work?

A Biergarten (beer garden) is an outdoor venue for drinking beer, usually under chestnut trees. Munich's beer gardens are the most famous. Most beer gardens allow you to bring your own food as long as you buy drinks there — a tradition dating back centuries. You order beer at the counter (die Theke), find a bench and join long communal tables with strangers. Payment is at the counter, not tableside.

What German foods should Australians try?

Essential German food experiences include: Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle, especially in Bavaria), Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast), Currywurst (Berlin street food — sausage with curry ketchup), Brezel (pretzel — far better fresh from a Munich bakery than packaged), Käsespätzle (cheesy egg noodles — a vegetarian classic), and of course the extraordinary range of German bread and pastries. Do not leave Germany without trying a proper Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) in its homeland.

Related Travel German Guides

• → All German Travel Phrases
• → Hotel German
• → Airport German
• → German Emergency Phrases