Ordering a Full Meal in German: Appetizer, Main Course, and Dessert
Learn to order a three-course meal in German, from appetizer to dessert, with polite phrases and sequencing vocabulary.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In a German restaurant, ordering multiple courses follows a predictable structure. You'll typically choose an appetizer (Vorspeise), a main dish (Hauptgericht), and dessert (Nachspeise). This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to order each course in sequence, how to ask for recommendations, and how to signal you're ready for the next course. Unlike a café, where you might order just a coffee and cake, a full meal requires clear sequencing and polite requests.
By the end, you can…
- order an appetizer, main course, and dessert in German in the correct order.
- ask for recommendations and indicate when I'm ready for the next course.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich möchte bitte die Vorspeise bestellen.
I would like to order the appetizer, please.
ikh MERKH-tuh BIT-tuh dee FOR-shpai-zuh buh-SHTEL-len
Use at the start of the meal to order your first course. 'Möchte' is polite and common.
Als Hauptgericht nehme ich das Schnitzel.
For the main course, I'll have the schnitzel.
als HOUPT-guh-rikht NAY-muh ikh das SHNITS-uhl
Use 'als Hauptgericht' to specify the main course. 'Nehme ich' is a natural way to say 'I'll have'.
Zum Nachtisch hätte ich gern den Apfelstrudel.
For dessert, I would like the apple strudel.
tsum NAKH-tish HET-uh ikh gairn dayn AP-fuhl-shtroo-duhl
Use 'zum Nachtisch' to introduce dessert. 'Hätte ich gern' is very polite and common.
Können Sie mir etwas empfehlen?
Can you recommend something to me?
KUR-nen zee meer ET-vas em-PFAY-len
Use this to ask for a recommendation at any point. It's polite and open-ended.
Ich bin fertig mit der Vorspeise. Ich möchte jetzt das Hauptgericht.
I'm finished with the appetizer. I'd like the main course now.
ikh bin FER-tikh mit dair FOR-shpai-zuh. ikh MERKH-tuh yetst das HOUPT-guh-rikht
Use this to signal you're ready for the next course. 'Fertig' means 'finished'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To order each course, use 'Ich möchte...' or 'Ich nehme...' followed by the course name. For example: 'Ich möchte die Vorspeise.' (I would like the appetizer.) 'Ich nehme das Hauptgericht.' (I'll have the main course.) 'Ich möchte den Nachtisch.' (I would like the dessert.) Note that 'Vorspeise' is feminine (die), 'Hauptgericht' is neuter (das), and 'Nachtisch' is masculine (der). The verb 'möchte' is a polite form of 'mögen' (to like) and is very common in restaurants. When you name a course after 'als' or 'zum', the article changes: 'als Hauptgericht' and 'zum Nachtisch' take no article, while 'als Vorspeise' also stands alone. In a full sentence with a direct object, use the accusative: 'Ich nehme den Nachtisch' (masculine), 'Ich nehme das Hauptgericht' (neuter), 'Ich nehme die Vorspeise' (feminine).
When to use it
Use these phrases when the server asks 'Was möchten Sie bestellen?' (What would you like to order?) or 'Haben Sie schon gewählt?' (Have you chosen yet?). You can order all courses at once, or order course by course. If you order all at once, say: 'Ich möchte die Vorspeise, das Hauptgericht und den Nachtisch.' (I would like the appetizer, the main course, and the dessert.) To signal you're ready for the next course, say 'Ich bin fertig' (I'm finished) or 'Ich möchte jetzt...' (I would like now...). A natural follow-up is 'Ich möchte jetzt das Hauptgericht bestellen.' (I would like to order the main course now.) Note that 'bestellen' (to order) is often used with the course as the direct object: 'Ich bestelle die Vorspeise.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Abend! Möchten Sie schon bestellen?
Good evening! Would you like to order now?GOO-ten AH-bent! MERKH-ten zee shohn buh-SHTEL-len?Ja, gern. Ich möchte bitte die Vorspeise bestellen: einen gemischten Salat.
Yes, gladly. I would like to order the appetizer, please: a mixed salad.yah, gairn. ikh MERKH-tuh BIT-tuh dee FOR-shpai-zuh buh-SHTEL-len: AY-nen guh-MISH-ten zah-LAHTUnd als Hauptgericht?
And for the main course?unt als HOUPT-guh-rikht?Als Hauptgericht nehme ich das Schnitzel mit Pommes. Und zum Nachtisch hätte ich gern den Apfelstrudel.
For the main course, I'll have the schnitzel with fries. And for dessert, I would like the apple strudel.als HOUPT-guh-rikht NAY-muh ikh das SHNITS-uhl mit POM-mes. unt tsum NAKH-tish HET-uh ikh gairn dayn AP-fuhl-shtroo-duhlA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, it's common to order all courses at once, but you can also order course by course. Servers may ask 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separately?) for payment. Tipping is usually rounded up to the nearest euro or 5-10%. In Austria, 'Schnitzel' is often 'Wiener Schnitzel' (veal), while in Germany it's typically pork. In Switzerland, prices are higher and tipping is less expected. Note that customs vary by region and restaurant type; in casual settings, ordering course by course is also common.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich will' (I want) to order, which can sound rude.
Try this instead: Use 'Ich möchte' (I would like) or 'Ich nehme' (I'll have) instead. For example, say 'Ich möchte die Vorspeise' not 'Ich will die Vorspeise'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you order the main course 'Rinderbraten' (roast beef) politely?
Show a sample answer
Als Hauptgericht nehme ich den Rinderbraten.
This uses 'Als Hauptgericht' to specify the course and 'nehme ich' for 'I'll have'. 'Den' is correct because 'Rinderbraten' is masculine. You could also say 'Ich möchte den Rinderbraten als Hauptgericht.'
2What phrase would you use to ask for a dessert recommendation?
Show a sample answer
Können Sie mir einen Nachtisch empfehlen?
This asks 'Can you recommend a dessert to me?' 'Einen' is masculine accusative because 'Nachtisch' is masculine. You could also ask 'Was empfehlen Sie zum Nachtisch?'
3How do you say 'I'm finished with the appetizer' in German?
Show a sample answer
Ich bin fertig mit der Vorspeise.
This uses 'fertig' (finished) and 'mit' (with) plus the dative 'der Vorspeise' because 'mit' takes the dative. Alternatively, 'Ich habe die Vorspeise beendet' is more formal.
Order each course with 'Ich möchte' or 'Ich nehme', use 'als Hauptgericht' and 'zum Nachtisch' to specify, and signal readiness with 'Ich bin fertig'.
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