Free mini phrasebook

Czech in a café & restaurant in Prague

The phrases you need right away: ask for the menu, order a coffee or a meal, check what's in a dish, mention an allergy, ask for the bill and pay by card.

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What you'll need in a café

This page won't replace a full course. It's a quick set of phrases so you don't freeze at the table, at the till, or when ordering coffee to go.

Coming in & a table

Say hello, ask about a free table, explain whether you're alone or with others.

Menu & ordering

Ask for the menu, choose a dish, ask for a recommendation and order a drink.

What's in the dish

Say "no meat", "no milk", "not spicy", and warn about an allergy.

Paying

Ask for the bill, pay by card or cash, split the payment.

30 phrases for cafés and restaurants

The button next to a phrase plays the Czech pronunciation in a studio voice. English meaning is shown under each phrase.

Dobrý den.Hello / Good day.
Máte volný stůl?Do you have a free table?
Pro jednoho, prosím.For one, please.
Pro dva, prosím.For two, please.
Můžu dostat jídelní lístek?Can I have the menu?
Co doporučujete?What do you recommend?
Dám si kávu.I'll have a coffee.
Dám si čaj.I'll have a tea.
Dám si polévku.I'll have soup.
Vodu, prosím.Water, please.
Neperlivou vodu, prosím.Still water, please.
Perlivou vodu, prosím.Sparkling water, please.
Máte něco vegetariánského?Do you have anything vegetarian?
Bez masa, prosím.Without meat, please.
Bez mléka, prosím.Without milk, please.
Bez lepku, prosím.Gluten-free, please.
Mám alergii na ořechy.I'm allergic to nuts.
Je to pikantní?Is it spicy?
Je to sladké?Is it sweet?
S sebou, prosím.To go, please.
Tady, prosím.To eat in, please.
Ještě jednu kávu, prosím.One more coffee, please.
To je všechno.That's everything.
Účet, prosím.The bill, please.
Můžu zaplatit kartou?Can I pay by card?
Platím hotově.I'll pay in cash.
Můžeme platit zvlášť?Can we pay separately?
Bylo to výborné.It was delicious.
Kde je toaleta?Where is the toilet?
Na shledanou.Goodbye.

Real-life variations

If you didn't understand

  • Promiňte, nerozumím. — Sorry, I don't understand.
  • Můžete to zopakovat? — Can you repeat that?
  • Můžete mluvit pomaleji? — Can you speak more slowly?

Mini dialogue

You: Dobrý den. Můžu dostat jídelní lístek?
Waiter: Ano, prosím.
You: Dám si kávu a polévku. Účet, prosím.

FAQ

Do you need to speak Czech in a Prague café?

In the centre English is often understood, but a Czech "good day", "please", "the bill" and "can I pay by card?" make things smoother and warmer.

How do I ask for food to go?

Say: S sebou, prosím. It's a short, normal phrase for coffee, pastries and takeaway food.

What do I say if I have an allergy?

Be direct: Mám alergii na... and name the food. If the allergy is serious, don't rely on the phrase alone — show the word written on your phone.

Want the whole tourist set?

Open the general Prague phrasebook: transport, cafés, shops, the pharmacy, your hotel and first phrases.

Open the phrasebook

Not a tourist — living in Czechia?

For real life you'll need more than café phrases: the doctor, renting, school, work, paperwork and preparing for the A2 exam.

Go to the course