German Dining Etiquette

Dining Etiquette

Restaurants in Germany vary from those found in the United States. Unless you see a host or hostess, you are free to seat yourself. Indeed, if there are no free tables, you can even ask those with an extra seat if you can join them; they'll usually say yes. It might seem a little strange at first, but if you're particularly uncomfortable, don't worry, it's not required that you make conversation.

Water must be requested and unless you specify that you want tap water, you'll likely end up with a much more expensive mineral water. Tap water is, in fact, one of the only things you'll find that are free when it comes to German dining. The bread or rolls that Americans might consider complimentary costs money in Germany and you'll be expected to pay for what you take.

There are no particular rules when it comes to tipping in restaurants in Germany. Gratuity is already included on each bill, but it is customary to round up to the nearest Euro and allow the waiter to keep the change. An additional tip of 5% is an acknowledgement of satisfaction and 10% is a sign of excellent service.

When it comes to payment, you're best served by bringing cash. While some restaurants in Germany accept credit cards, some still don't and it's always best to hedge on the safe side.