Food & Drinks

1. Menüyü görebilir miyim?

   Can I see the menu?

   Usage

   Standard phrase used after being seated at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "görmek" (to see) + ability suffix "-ebil" + question particle "mi". A classic example of Turkish agglutination.

2. Hesap lütfen

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Used to ask for the bill after finishing a meal

   Grammar Note

   A very simple and memorable phrase. A more elaborate version is "Hesabı alabilir miyim?" (May I have the bill?).

3. Bu çok lezzetli

   This is very delicious

   Usage

   Used to compliment food. Makes chefs and cooks very happy.

   Grammar Note

   "lezzet" (taste/flavor) + adjective suffix "-li" = "lezzetli" (flavorful/delicious). Adjectives precede nouns in Turkish.

4. Vejetaryenim

   I am vegetarian

   Usage

   Important phrase for communicating dietary restrictions

   Grammar Note

   The English loan word "vegetarian" with the Turkish first-person copula suffix "-im" (I am).

5. Baharatsız olsun lütfen

   Without spice, please

   Usage

   Used when you want to avoid spices or are sensitive to them. For no chili heat, say "Acısız olsun lütfen"

   Grammar Note

   The suffix "-sız/-siz/-suz/-süz" means "without" and follows vowel harmony. Can be applied: "şekersiz" (without sugar).

6. Alerjim var

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Used to state a food allergy. Add the specific food before this phrase.

   Grammar Note

   "var" means "there is/exists" in Turkish. Example: "Fıstık alerjim var" (I have a peanut allergy).

7. Servis dahil mi?

   Is service included?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a service charge or tip is included in the bill

   Grammar Note

   Turkish yes/no questions are formed by adding "mı/mi/mu/mü" (following vowel harmony) at the end.

8. Bir çay lütfen

   One tea, please

   Usage

   Tea culture is deeply rooted in Turkey; you can order it almost everywhere

   Grammar Note

   Turkish çay is a strong black tea served in small tulip-shaped glasses. Sugar cubes are commonly added.

9. Türk kahvesi istiyorum

   I would like Turkish coffee

   Usage

   Used to order Turkish coffee, a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage

   Grammar Note

   Turkish coffee is brewed by boiling finely ground coffee. Specify sweetness: "sade" (no sugar), "az şekerli" (slightly sweet), "orta" (medium), "çok şekerli" (sweet).

10. Su getirir misiniz?

    Could you bring water?

    Usage

    Polite way to ask a waiter for water in a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    The form "-ir misiniz" is a polite request formula meaning "would you please...". "siz" (polite you) is built into the ending.

11. Ekmek var mı?

    Is there bread?

    Usage

    Bread is essential at Turkish tables. Can also be used to ask for more bread.

    Grammar Note

    "var mı" (is there...?) is the most basic way to ask about existence in Turkish. Usable in many situations: "Wi-Fi var mı?" (Is there Wi-Fi?).

12. Afiyet olsun

    Bon appétit / Enjoy your meal

    Usage

    Said before or after meals. Similar in spirit to "bon appétit" or "enjoy your meal".

    Grammar Note

    Literally "may it bring health". Said by the server or the diner. After eating, "Elinize sağlık" (health to your hands) can be said to the cook.

13. Pilav

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Refers to cooked rice; uncooked rice is the separate word "pirinç". Turkish pilav is often cooked with butter or fine noodles

14. Ekmek

    Bread

    Usage

    The general word for bread, including the loaf served with meals; the sesame ring is "simit"

15. Makarna

    Pasta, noodles

    Usage

    Covers wheat noodles and pasta; the traditional homemade noodle is "erişte", and "mantı" is a filled dumpling dish

16. Acılı

    Spicy (with chili)

    Usage

    Means seasoned with chili; "Acılı mı?" = is it spicy? The bare stem "acı" also means bitter or pain, so use "acılı" for food heat

17. Tatlı

    Sweet

    Usage

    Use to check or specify sweetness; as a noun the same word means dessert, so gesture to make clear which you mean

18. Çiğ

    Raw, uncooked

    Usage

    Use to check whether food is cooked through; "Çiğ mi?" = is it raw? The dish "çiğ köfte" is nowadays almost always made without meat

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