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Ordering at a restaurant in Swedish

Last updated 28 October 2026

Eating out in Sweden follows a clear routine, and the same short phrases carry you through a whole meal. Lunch is the main restaurant meal for many people, and dagens lunch (the lunch of the day) is a bargain. The phrases below follow a visit from the door to the bill.

Getting a table

Ett bord för två, tack. A table for two, please.
Har ni något ledigt bord? Do you have a free table?
Jag har bokat ett bord på namnet Andersson. I have booked a table under the name Andersson.
Kan vi sitta här? Can we sit here?

In many places you wait to be shown to a table. In a casual place you often find your own seat and order at the counter. If you are not sure, ask Kan vi sätta oss var vi vill? (Can we sit wherever we like?).

Reading the menu

Kan jag få se menyn? Can I see the menu?
Vad rekommenderar du? What do you recommend?
Vad är dagens rätt? What is the dish of the day?
Är det här vegetariskt? Is this vegetarian?
Jag är allergisk mot nötter. I am allergic to nuts.

Menus split into förrätt (starter), huvudrätt (main course) and efterrätt (dessert). The words for food and drink are often long compounds, so spot the parts: köttbullar (meatballs), potatismos (mashed potato), lingonsylt (lingonberry jam).

Dagens lunch

On weekdays, most restaurants offer dagens lunch at a fixed price. It usually includes a main course, salad, bread, a drink and often coffee. Prices are listed with kr for kronor. You normally order at the counter, take a tray and serve yourself the salad and the bread.

Ordering

Jag skulle vilja ha köttbullar, tack. I would like the meatballs, please.
Jag tar laxen. I will have the salmon.
Får jag en kopp kaffe? May I have a cup of coffee?
Vi vill gärna ha två glas vatten. We would like two glasses of water.
Ingen lök, tack. No onion, please.

Jag tar (I will take) is the most direct way to order and is common and polite. Jag skulle vilja ha (I would like) is a little softer. The word gärna ("gladly") makes any request sound friendlier.

During the meal

Smaklig måltid! Enjoy your meal!
Det smakar jättegott. It tastes very good.
Kan jag få lite mer bröd? Can I have a little more bread?
Skål! Cheers!

At the end of the meal, say Tack för maten ("thanks for the food") to your host or companions. It is a common courtesy at home and with friends.

Paying

Kan jag få notan, tack? Can I have the bill, please?
Kan vi betala tillsammans? Can we pay together?
Kan jag betala med kort? Can I pay by card?
Det stämmer. Keep the change. (literally "that is right")

Almost everything is paid by card or phone, and many small places do not take cash at all. A tip is appreciated for good service but it is not expected as it is in some countries. Rounding up the bill is enough.