First Phrases

Table for one · Nederlands

Table for one phrases in Dutch: 15 phrases

Ask for a table for one, check whether you need a reservation, book for tomorrow, sit at the bar or counter, order the menu of the day, ask what they recommend, mention vegetarian or allergies, ask for tap water, then get the bill, pay by card, ask about service and take the rest home. Short, natural phrases for eating out on your own.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Informal (friendly). In the Netherlands "je" is normal in restaurants, even with strangers your age. Use "u" with older staff or in a formal restaurant. The "u" version is given where it differs. "De kaart" is the menu, "de bar" the bar, "de rekening" the bill; "alstublieft" is the polite please. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How to read the sounds: g and ch are a rough throat sound, written kh (like Scottish 'loch'), stronger than English h. ou/ui = 'ow'; ij/ei = 'ay' (as in 'say'); eu = a rounded 'uh' (like French 'peu'); uu = 'ew' (say 'ee' with rounded lips); oe = 'oo'. Stress is in CAPITALS.

Your recording stays on your device.

15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Een tafel voor één persoon, alstublieft.
    Say it like: ayn TAH-fuhl voor AYN pehr-SOHN, ahl-stew-BLEEFT
    A table for one, please.
    Register: Informal please: "alsjeblieft".
  2. 02Neutral
    Moet ik reserveren?
    Say it like: moot ik ray-zer-VAY-ruhn
    Do I need a reservation?
    Register: Also "Is reserveren nodig?" (Is booking necessary?).
  3. 03Neutral
    Kan ik voor morgen om acht uur 's avonds reserveren?
    Say it like: kahn ik voor MOR-khuhn om ahkht EWR SAH-vonts ray-zer-VAY-ruhn
    Can I book for tomorrow at 8 in the evening?
    Register: "'s Avonds" avoids any doubt about a.m. or p.m. Add "voor één persoon".
  4. 04Neutral
    Is de keuken nog open?
    Say it like: iss duh KUH-kuhn nokh OH-puhn
    Is the kitchen still open?
    Register: Also "Kan ik nog eten?" (Can I still eat?).
  5. 05Neutral
    Mag ik aan de bar zitten?
    Say it like: makh ik ahn duh BAR ZIT-tuhn
    Can I sit at the bar?
    Register: "Aan een tafel" = at a table.
  6. 06Neutral
    Hebben jullie een dagmenu?
    Say it like: HEB-buhn YUL-lee uhn DAHKH-muh-new
    Do you have a menu of the day?
    Register: "Hebt u" is the "u" form. "Dagschotel" is the dish of the day; "dagmenu" may not exist everywhere.
  7. 07Neutral
    Wat raden jullie aan?
    Say it like: vat RAH-duhn YUL-lee ahn
    What do you recommend?
    Register: "U" version: "Wat raadt u aan?".
  8. 08Neutral
    Ik ben vegetariër.
    Say it like: ik ben vay-khay-TAH-ree-er
    I'm vegetarian.
    Register: Same for a man or a woman. Ask "Zit er vlees in?" (Is there meat in it?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Ik ben allergisch voor …
    Say it like: ik ben ah-LEHR-khees vor
    I'm allergic to …
    Register: Add: "noten" (nuts), "gluten", "schaaldieren" (shellfish).
  10. 10Neutral
    Mag ik kraanwater, alstublieft?
    Say it like: makh ik KRAAN-vah-ter, ahl-stew-BLEEFT
    May I have tap water, please?
    Register: Also "een glas kraanwater". "Bruiswater" is sparkling water.
  11. 11Neutral
    Mag ik de rekening, alstublieft?
    Say it like: makh ik duh RAY-kuh-ning, ahl-stew-BLEEFT
    May I have the bill, please?
    Register: Short: "De rekening, alstublieft."
  12. 12Neutral
    Kan ik met pin betalen?
    Say it like: kahn ik met PIN buh-TAH-luhn
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Pinnen" means paying by debit card. "Contant" means cash.
  13. 13Neutral
    Is de bediening inbegrepen?
    Say it like: iss duh buh-DEE-ning IN-buh-khray-puhn
    Is service included?
    Register: "Inbegrepen" means included.
  14. 14Neutral
    Kan ik de rest meenemen?
    Say it like: kahn ik duh rest MAY-nay-muhn
    Can I take the rest with me?
    Register: "Meenemen" = take with you. "In een doosje" = in a box.
  15. 15Neutral
    Het was heerlijk, dank je wel.
    Say it like: uht vahs HAYR-luhk, dahnk yuh vel
    It was delicious, thank you.
    Register: "U" version: "dank u wel".

New in town?

More tools for people who just moved: converters, checklists and country guides.

Open Newcomer Kit

Quick answers

How do you ask for a table for one in Dutch?

Say: "Een tafel voor één persoon, alstublieft." (A table for one, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Dutch with a waiter?

In the Netherlands "je" is normal in restaurants, even with strangers your age. Use "u" with older staff or in a formal restaurant. The "u" version is given where it differs. "De kaart" is the menu, "de bar" the bar, "de rekening" the bill; "alstublieft" is the polite please. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How do I say I am vegetarian or allergic in Dutch?

Say: "Ik ben vegetariër." (I'm vegetarian.) and "Ik ben allergisch voor …" (I'm allergic to …)

How do I ask for the bill and pay by card in Dutch?

Try: "Mag ik de rekening, alstublieft?" (May I have the bill, please?) and "Kan ik met pin betalen?" (Can I pay by card?)

Table for one phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

Dutch, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the language of the country you live in.
  2. Read the phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Then open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group. Or try a phrase card for tonight first.

firstphrases.app/survival/table-for-one/nl/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint