Ordering at a restaurant in Finnish

Restaurant visits repeat the same steps: you get a table, read the menu, order, and pay. The vocabulary is small, and Finnish menus often use the same words, so a short set of phrases covers the whole visit.

Getting a table

Kahdelle means "for two". Change the number to suit your group, for example kolmelle (for three) or neljälle (for four).

Reading the menu and asking questions

Saisinko is a polite way to ask for something. It is the same pattern as "could I have" in English, and it is the phrase to use whenever you want something from a waiter.

Ordering

Otan means "I will take", and it is the most natural verb for ordering. Say the dish after it, followed by kiitos. Finns usually use the partitive here (kalaa, lohta), as in "I'll have some fish". The accusative (kalan, lohen) refers to one specific dish and is less common when ordering. Minulle (for me) is useful when you order for yourself and someone else orders separately.

Asking for the bill and paying

Yhdessä means "together" and erikseen means "separately". Answer Yhdessä, kiitos to pay for the whole table, or Erikseen, kiitos to pay for your own items.

Kortilla means "by card", and it is the usual way to pay in Finland, where card payments are widespread. Tipping is not expected in Finland, so you will not need the tipping phrases you may know from other countries.

Notes for Finnish restaurants

• Finns often say Ole hyvä when they bring your food or drink. It means "here you are" or "enjoy".
• If you want to say the food was good, use oli hyvää (it was good) or oli erinomaista (it was excellent).
• A waiter may ask Saako olla jotain muuta? (Anything else?). A simple Ei kiitos (no, thank you) is a complete answer.

A short dialogue

Practice

Pick the phrase you would say at each point in the visit.

To find the restaurant in the first place, learn how to ask for directions.