German for Dining Out: Asking If a Dish Is Vegetarian or Gluten-Free
Learn to ask whether a specific dish is vegetarian or gluten-free in German, and understand the waiter's answer. Includes polite phrases, key vocabulary, and a sample dialogue.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out in a German-speaking country, you often need to check whether a particular dish fits your diet. This lesson teaches you how to ask specifically about a dish — 'Is this dish vegetarian?' or 'Is this dish gluten-free?' — and how to understand the answer. You will learn the key words 'vegetarisch' and 'glutenfrei', the verb 'sein' (to be), and how to point to a dish on the menu. The focus is on checking one dish, not on explaining your whole diet. By the end, you will be able to ask confidently and react to the reply.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a specific dish is vegetarian or gluten-free in German.
- understand a simple yes/no answer and a short explanation about a dish.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?
Is this dish vegetarian?
ist DEE-zes guh-RISHT veh-geh-TAH-rish
Use when pointing to a dish on the menu or when the dish is in front of you. 'Dieses Gericht' means 'this dish'.
Ist dieses Gericht glutenfrei?
Is this dish gluten-free?
ist DEE-zes guh-RISHT gloo-TEN-fry
Use for gluten-free needs. 'Glutenfrei' is the standard term in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Enthält dieses Gericht Fleisch?
Does this dish contain meat?
ent-HAYLT DEE-zes guh-RISHT flysh
A useful follow-up if you want to be sure about meat. Note that 'vegetarisch' in German never includes fish; dishes with fish are 'mit Fisch' or 'Pescetarier' food, not vegetarian.
Ja, das ist vegetarisch.
Yes, that is vegetarian.
yah, dahs ist veh-geh-TAH-rish
A simple affirmative answer. 'Das' refers back to the dish.
Nein, das ist nicht glutenfrei.
No, that is not gluten-free.
nine, dahs ist nikht gloo-TEN-fry
A simple negative answer. 'Nicht' is the standard negation word.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about a specific dish, use: 'Ist dieses Gericht ...?' (Is this dish ...?) and add the adjective: 'vegetarisch' or 'glutenfrei'. For example: 'Ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?' — 'Is this dish vegetarian?' The verb 'ist' (is) comes first because this is a yes/no question. The subject 'dieses Gericht' follows. You can also ask about a specific item: 'Ist die Suppe vegetarisch?' (Is the soup vegetarian?) or 'Ist der Salat glutenfrei?' (Is the salad gluten-free?). Note that German nouns have gender: 'der Salat' (masculine), 'die Suppe' (feminine), 'das Gericht' (neuter). The question word 'ist' stays the same.
When to use it
Use these questions when you are ordering and need to check one dish. It is polite to start with 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me) if the waiter is not yet at your table. For example: 'Entschuldigung, ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?' If you have a severe allergy, you can add 'Ich habe eine Glutenunverträglichkeit' (I have a gluten intolerance) after asking. In Austria and Switzerland, the same phrases are used, and 'glutenfrei' is pronounced the same way. In formal settings, use 'Sie' with the waiter; in casual places, 'du' is fine if the waiter is young and the setting is informal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?
Excuse me, is this dish vegetarian?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, ist DEE-zes guh-RISHT veh-geh-TAH-rishJa, das ist vegetarisch. Es enthält kein Fleisch.
Yes, that is vegetarian. It contains no meat.yah, dahs ist veh-geh-TAH-rish. es ent-HAYLT kine flyshUnd ist es auch glutenfrei?
And is it also gluten-free?oont ist es owkh gloo-TEN-fryNein, leider nicht. Es enthält Weizenmehl.
No, unfortunately not. It contains wheat flour.nine, LY-der nikht. es ent-HAYLT VY-tsen-maylA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, waiters are generally straightforward and may not smile much, but they are usually helpful if you ask clearly. It is normal to ask about ingredients. Tipping is done by rounding up or adding about 5–10%, and you say 'Stimmt so' when paying. If you have a serious allergy, it is wise to mention it explicitly, as cross-contamination can happen in kitchens.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich bin vegetarisch' to mean 'I am vegetarian'.
Try this instead: In German, 'Ich bin vegetarisch' sounds odd; it literally means 'I am vegetarian' as if you are the dish. To say you are vegetarian, use 'Ich bin Vegetarier' (male) or 'Ich bin Vegetarierin' (female). When asking about a dish, say 'Ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is this dish gluten-free?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ist dieses Gericht glutenfrei?
This uses the pattern 'Ist dieses Gericht ...?' plus the adjective 'glutenfrei'. You could also ask about a specific dish, e.g., 'Ist der Kuchen glutenfrei?'
2What does 'Nein, das ist nicht vegetarisch' mean?
Show a sample answer
No, that is not vegetarian.
'Nein' means no, 'das' refers to the dish, 'ist nicht' means is not, and 'vegetarisch' means vegetarian.
3You want to check if the soup is vegetarian. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Ist die Suppe vegetarisch?
'Die Suppe' is feminine, so you use 'die' instead of 'dieses'. The verb 'ist' still comes first. You could also say 'Ist diese Suppe vegetarisch?' for emphasis.
To check a specific dish, ask 'Ist dieses Gericht vegetarisch?' or 'Ist dieses Gericht glutenfrei?' Listen for 'Ja' or 'Nein' and the adjective. If you need to be extra sure, ask 'Enthält das Fleisch?' (Does it contain meat?) or mention your allergy.
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