| A | B | C | D |
| E | F | G | H |
| I | J | K | L |
| M | N | O | P |
| Q | R | S | T |
| V | W | Y | Z |
There are many dialects within Germany (and Austria and Switzerland), and each region is proud of its own words, so you might find menus employing local terms for some of these items. While charming to Germans, it can render this menu decoder less helpful.
Be prepared for “Lego” words. You might have to split the menu item into its respective parts to figure out its meaning. For example:
Rahmgurkensalat = Rahm (cream) + gurke (cucumber) + salat (salad) = Cucumber salad with cream dressing
Kalbsleberscheiben = Kalbs (veal) + leber (liver) + scheiben (slices) = Slices of veal liver
If a particular term is used only in one geographical region—or if a specialty is likely to be found only in one place—I’ve noted that place in parentheses. For example, most Germans and Swiss call potatoes Kartoffeln, but Austrians call them Erdäpfel.
Aal eel
Abendessen dinner
abgebräunt browned
abgehangen aged (meat)
abgelöscht deglazed
Achtel eighth-liter (wine)
Ahle Wurst salami-like sausage
Ahorn maple
Allgäuer Bergkäse hard, mild cheese with holes
Almdudler Austrian ginger ale
Alsterwasser shandy (lager with lemon soda)
Altbier smooth, balanced amber beer
Altenburger soft, mild goat cheese
Amerikaner flat, round, glazed doughnut
Ananas pineapple
Anis anise
Apfel apple
Apfelmus applesauce
Apfelsaft apple juice
Apfelsine orange (Aus.)
Apfelsosse applesauce
Apfelstrudel apples and raisins in puff pastry
Apfelwein hard cider (Frankfurt)
Appenzeller sharp, hard Swiss cheese
Appenzeller Alpenbitter digestif made from flower and roots (Switz.)
Aprikose apricot
Artischocke artichoke
Aubergine eggplant
Aufschnitt cold cuts
Aufstrich spread
ausgereift ripe; mature
Auslese sweet white wine made from perfectly ripe grapes
Austernpilz oyster mushroom
Bachsaibling char (fish)
Backe cheek
Backhühner roasted chicken
Backpflaume prune
Banane banana
Bandnudel tagliatelle
Bärenfang / Bärenjäger honey-flavored liqueur
Bärlauch “bear’s” (wild) garlic
Barsch bass
Basilikum basil
Basmati-Reis basmati rice
Bauch belly
Bauern farmer-style (from the garden)
Bauernsalat Greek salad (sometimes with sausage)
Bauernsuppe cabbage and sausage soup
Becher small glass
Beere berry
Beerenauslese sweet dessert wine made from overripe grapes
beidseitig “on both sides” (i.e., over-easy eggs)
Beilagen side dishes
Bein shin
Beinwurst sausage made of smoked pork, herbs, and wine
Bergkäse mountain cheese
Berliner / Berliner Ballen jelly doughnut
Berliner Weisse (mit Schuss) Berlin’s fizzy, slightly sour wheat beer (with a shot of syrup)
(auf einem) Bett aus (served) on a bed of
Beutelwurst sausage of congealed blood
Bier beer
bio / biologisch organic
Birne pear
Biskuit sponge cake
bitter bitter
blanchiert blanched
Blatt leaf
blättrig leafy
Blaubeere blueberry
Blauburger velvety red wine (Aus.)
Blauburgunder pinot noir
Blauer Portugieser mild, light, tart red wine (Aus.)
Blaufränkisch medium to full-bodied tannic red wine (Aus.)
Blumenkohl cauliflower
Blunzen sausage of congealed blood
blutig very rare meat (“bloody”)
Blutwurst sausage of congealed blood
Bock / Bockbier hoppy, bittersweet amber beer (Bav.)
Bockwurst thick pork-and-veal sausage
Bohne bean
Bohne, grüne green bean
Bohnensalat bean salad
Bohnensuppe bean soup
Bosna spicy sausage with onions and sometimes curry (Aus.)
Brat / Braten grilled or roasted
Bratenfett gelatinous fat drippings
Brathähnchen roast chicken
Brathering fried, marinated herring
Bratkartoffeln roasted or grilled potatoes
Bratfett gelatinous fat drippings
Bratwurst grilled sausage (generic term)
Brauner espresso with a little milk (Vienna)
brauner Reis brown rice
Braunschweiger smoky liver sausage
Bregenwurst brain sausage (now rarely made with brain)
Brezel / Brez’n big pretzel (Bav.)
Brille palmier pastry (“eyeglasses”)
Brokkoli broccoli
Brombeere blackberry
Brösel crumbs
Brot bread
Brötchen roll
Brotkorb bread basket
Brotzeit light snack served cold; usually a platter of cold cuts and cheeses
Brühe broth
Brühwurst boiled or steamed sausage (generic term)
Brunnenkress watercress
Brust breast
Bruststück brisket
Buchtel yeasty sweet roll filled with jam (Aus.)
Buchweizen buckwheat
Buletten meatballs (Berlin)
Bündner Gerstensuppe creamy barley and vegetable soup (Switz.)
Bündnerfleisch air-cured beef
bunter (Salat) mixed or “multicolored” (salad)
Burenwurst kielbasa-like pork sausage
Butterhörnchen croissant
Butternuss-Kürbis butternut squash
Camembert pungent cow cheese, often deep-fried
Cayennepfeffer cayenne pepper
Cervelat butterflied and grilled sausage (Switz.)
Cervelat Salat Cervelat sausage with onions, cheese, and dressing
Champignon mushroom
Chasselas full, fruity, dry white wine (Switz.)
Chicoree curly endive
chinesisch Chinese
Churer Fleischtorte meat pie (Switz.)
Colaweizen wheat beer and cola
Cremeschnitte Napoleon pastry
Currywurst grilled sausage with curry sauce
Dampfnudel steamed roll
Darm sausage casing
Datschi fruit-topped cake
dazu served with
Debreziner spicy sausage (Aus.)
Diesel lager and cola
Dill dill
Dole light-bodied red wine blend (Switz.)
Döner Dürüm Turkish-style rotisserie meat in a flatbread wrap
Döner Kebab Turkish-style rotisserie meat in pita bread
Döner Teller Turkish-style rotisserie meat on a plate
Dornfelder velvety, often oaky red wine
Dorsch cod
Drei im Weggla / Drei im Weckle three Nürnberger sausages in a bun
Dreierlei three kinds of...
Dreikornbrot three-grain bread
Dresdner Eierschecke eggy cheesecake (Dresden)
Duftreis jasmine rice
Dukaten medallions (meat)
dunkel dark
Dünnele Germanic “white” pizza
durch / durchgebraten cooked through (well-done)
Dürüm Kebab Turkish-style rotisserie meat in a flatbread wrap
Dutzend dozen
Ebbelwoi hard cider (Frankfurt)
Edelpilzkäse mild blue cheese
Ei / Eier egg / eggs
Eierkuchen crêpe-like pancake
Eierlikör eggnog-like liqueur
Eiernockerl see Spätzle (Aus.)
Eierschecke eggy cheesecake (Dresden)
Eierschwammerl chanterelle mushroom (Bav. and Aus.)
Eigelb egg yolk
eingelegt pickled; potted (as in potted meat)
einheimisch local
einseitig “on one side” (i.e., eggs sunny side up)
Einspänner coffee with lots of whipped cream (Vienna)
Eintopf stew
Eis ice; ice cream
Eisbecher ice-cream sundae
Eisbier / Eisbock high-alcohol “ice” lager
Eischwerkuchen pound cake
Eiskaffee coffee with vanilla ice cream (Vienna)
Eiskremwaffel ice-cream cone
Eistee iced tea
Eiswein ultra-sweet white dessert wine
Eiswürfeln ice cubes
Eiweiss egg white
Emmentaler hard, mild Swiss cheese
Endive endive
entbeint deboned; boneless
Ente duck
entrahmt skimmed
Erbse pea
Erbsensuppe split pea soup
Erdäpfelpüree mashed potatoes (Aus.)
Erdbeere strawberry
Erdnuss peanut
erster Gang first course
Eskariol escarole
Essen food; meal
Essig vinegar
Essiggurke pickle
Estragon tarragon
Export strong pale lager (beer)
Falafel deep-fried chickpea croquettes
Faschierte ground meat (Aus.)
Faschierte Laibchen large meatballs (Aus.)
(vom) Fass on tap (beer)
Fassbutter churned butter
Feierabend happy hour
Feige fig
fein smooth (texture)
Feingebäck / Feine Backwaren pastry
Feinkostgeschäft delicatessen
Feldsalat lamb’s lettuce (mâche)
Fenchel fennel
Fendant tart white wine (Switz.)
Festbier seasonal, dark “Christmas” beer
Fett fat
Fiaker black coffee with kirsch liqueur or rum (Vienna)
Filet Mignon tenderloin
Fisch fish
Fisole green bean (Aus.)
Fladenbrot dense flatbread
Flädle(suppe) soup with strips of savory crêpes
Flammkuchen Germanic “white” pizza
Flanke flank
Flasche bottle
Fleckerl flat egg noodles (Aus.)
Fleisch meat; flesh
Fleischlaberl minced meat patties (Aus.)
Fleischpfanzerl meatballs (Bav.)
Fleischsalat salad of cold cuts, onions, oil, and vinegar
Fleischtorte meat pie
Florentiner crispy round cookie
Forelle trout
Frankfurter hot dog
Franziskaner espresso with a little whipped cream (Vienna)
französisch French
Freilandei(er) free-range egg(s)
Freilandhaltung free-range
Freilandhuhn free-range chicken
Frikadelle large meatball (like a hamburger)
Frikassee fricassee
frisch fresh
frischgepresst freshly squeezed
Frischkäse soft curd cheese with herbs
Frittaten strips of pancake
frittiert deep-fried
Frucht fruit
Früchtebecher fruit cup
fruchtig fruity (wine)
Fruchtsaft fruit juice
Frühstück breakfast
Gämse goat-like antelope
Gang course
Gans goose
ganz gar / ganz durch very well-done (meat)
gar well done (meat)
Garnele prawn
Garnierung garnish
garnitur garnished
Gas carbonation
gealtert aged (cheese)
Gebäck pastry
gebackene baked
gebeizte marinated (“stained”)
gebraten browned
Gedärme intestines
gedünstet steamed; stewed
Geflügel poultry
gefüllt stuffed
gegrillt grilled
gehackt minced; chopped
gekocht cooked; boiled
Gelbwurst pork and veal sausage, eaten cold (“yellow sausage”)
gemästet fattened
gemischt mixed
gemischter Salat mixed salad
Gemüse vegetables
Gemüseplatte / Gemüseteller vegetable platter
Gemüsesuppe vegetable soup
gepökelt salt cured
Gequellde boiled and peeled potatoes
geräuchert smoked; cured
gereift aged (cheese)
Gericht dish (entrée)
geriebene grated; ground
Germknödel sourdough dumpling
geröstet roasted
geröstete Knödel roasted dumpling
geschält peeled
geschmolzen melted
geschmort braised
Geschnetzeltes meat slivers in a rich sauce with noodles or Rösti
gesottene boiled
Gespritzter spritzer (Aus.)
Getränke beverages
Getränkekarte drinks menu
Gewürztraminer aromatic, intense, “spicy” white wine
Gipfel croissant (“summit”)
Glas glass
glasiert glazed; coated
Glühwein hot spiced wine
Gluten wheat gluten
glutenfrei gluten-free
Gose acidic light wheat beer (Leipzig)
Granatapfel pomegranate
Gratin au gratin (topped with browned cheese)
Graubrot mixed wheat and rye bread
Grauburgunder pinot gris
Griess semolina (grain)
Griessklösschen / Griessnockerl (Aus.) semolina dumpling
Grillkohle charcoal
Grillteller mixed grill
gross big
Gröstl hash (Aus.)
grün green
grüne Bohne green bean
Grüne Grütze gooseberry fruit pudding
Grüne Sosse green sauce of seven herbs (Frankfurt)
grüner Salat green salad
Grüner Silvaner acidic, fruity white wine
grüner Spargel green asparagus
Grüner Veltliner dry, fruity, light white wine (Aus.)
Grünkohl kale
Grützwurst smoked sausage made of meat, offal, blood, and whole grains (eaten raw or pan-fried)
Gruyère strong-flavored Swiss cheese
Gulasch(suppe) spicy meat stew (goulash) or soup
Gurke cucumber
Gurkensalat cucumbers in vinegar
Gutedel full, fruity, dry white wine (Switz.)
Gutsabfüllung estate bottled (wine)
Hackfleisch minced meat
Hähnchen chicken
halb half
halbgar medium (meat)
halbsüss semi-sweet, medium (wine)
halbtrocken semi-dry (wine)
Hals neck
Hammelfleisch mutton
Handkäse (mit Musik) aged, ricotta-like cheese (served with onions and vinegar)
hartgekocht hard-boiled
Hase rabbit
Haselnuss hazelnut
Hasenpfeffer spicy rabbit stew
Hauptspeise main course
Haus house
Hausfrauen Art “housewife”-style, often with apples, onions, and sour cream
hausgemacht homemade
Haut skin
Haxe / Hax’n knuckle
Hecht pike
Hefe yeast
Hefeweizen cloudy, yeasty wheat beer
Heidelbeere bilberry
Heilbutt halibut
heimisch domestic; local
heiss hot
heisse Schockolade hot chocolate
helles light (beer)
Hend’l roasted chicken
Hering herring
Herrgöttli fifth-liter (Switz.)
herzhaft savory
Herzmuschel cockle
heurig new; this year’s (wine)
Heuriger young, often tart “new” wine; also a wine bar with food (Aus.)
Himbeersoda raspberry soda
Hirn brain
Hirnwurst pork and veal sausage, eaten cold
Hirsch deer
Hochzeitssuppe “wedding soup” of thin broth, meatballs, and noodles
Hoden testicle
Hofente crispy duck
Holunder gespritzt elderberry soda
Honig honey
Hörnchen croissant (“little horn”)
Hufe hoof
Hüft hip
Hühnerbrühe chicken broth
Hummer lobster
importiert imported
Ingwer ginger
inklusive included
Innereien organs (innards)
italienisch Italian
Jagdwurst smoky, baloney-like “hunter’s sausage”
Jäger hunter-style (with mushrooms and gravy)
Jägermeister anise and herb digestif
Jägertee tea with brandy and rum
Jakobsmuschel scallop
Jasmin-Reis jasmine rice
Joghurt yogurt
Johannisbeere currant
Johannisbeere, rote red currant
Johannisbeere, schwarze black currant
Jungtaube squab (young pigeon)
Kaffee coffee
Kaffee Verkehrt espresso with lots of milk (Vienna)
Kaiserschmarren shredded pancakes with raisins, powdered sugar, and cinnamon
Kakao cocoa
Kalbfleisch veal
Kalbsbries calf sweetbreads (innards)
kalt cold
Kaltschale chilled soup
Kaninchen rabbit
Kännchen small pot of tea
Kaper caper
Kapuziner strong coffee with a dollop of sweetened cream (Vienna)
Karaffe carafe
Kardamom cardamom
Karfiol cauliflower (Aus.)
Karotte carrot
Karpfen carp
Karte menu
Kartoffel potato
Kartoffelbrei mashed potatoes
Kartoffelkäse spread of mashed potatoes, onion, and sour cream
Kartoffelknödel potato dumpling
Kartoffelpuffer potato pancake
Kartoffelpüree mashed potatoes
Kartoffelstock mashed potatoes (S. Germ. and Switz.)
Käse cheese
Käse Fondue melted Swiss cheeses eaten with cubes of bread
Käsebrot cheese with bread
Käsekrainer sausage with melted cheese inside (Aus.)
Käseplatte / Käseteller cheese platter
Käsespätzle / Kasnocken (Aus.) Spätzle (short egg noodles) with cheese
Kasserole casserole
Kassler salted, slightly smoked pork
Kastanie chestnut
Keks cookie
Kellerbier unfiltered lager
Kern seed; nut
kernlos seedless
Kernöl vegetable oil
Keule drumstick
Kinderteller children’s portion
Kirsche cherry
Kirschtomate cherry tomato
klein small
Kleingebäck pastry; sweet roll
Kleinigkeit snack
Klopse meatballs (large)
Klösse big, puffy potato dumpling
Knackwurst / Knockwurst stubby, garlicky sausage
Knipp sausage with offal and grains (see Grützwurst)
Knoblauch garlic
Knoblauchzehe garlic clove
Knödel dumpling
Knöpfle see Spätzle
knusprig crispy
Knusprig chip
koch- cooked
Kochschinken cooked ham
Kochwurst sausage made of precooked ingredients (steamed before eating)
koffeinfrei decaffeinated
Kohl cabbage
Kohlensäure carbonation
(ohne) Kohlensäure (without) carbonation
Kohlroulade stuffed cabbage leaves
Kohlsprosse Brussels sprout (Aus.)
Kohlwurst lung sausage
Kokosnuss coconut
Kölsch pale, mild, highly fermented beer (Köln)
Konfitüre jam
Königsberger Klopse meatball with capers and potatoes in a white sauce (E. Germ.)
Konserve preserve (n)
Kopenhagner danish
Kopf head
Kopfsalat lettuce
Koriander cilantro (coriander)
Korkenzieher corkscrew
Kornspitz whole-meal bread roll
Kotelett cutlet; chop
Krabbe crab
kräftig strong
Krakauer Polish sausage, usually eaten cold
Krapfen jelly doughnut (Bav.)
Kraut sauerkraut
Kräuter herbs
Kräutertee herbal tea
Krautsalat cold sauerkraut
Krefelder lager and cola
Kren horseradish (Aus.)
Kreuzkümmel cumin
Kristallweizen clear, filtered, yeast-free wheat beer
Krügerl half-liter (Aus.)
Krümel crumb
Kruste crust
Küche food (“cooking”)
Kugel scoop (ice cream)
Kukuruz corn (Aus.)
Kümmel caraway
Kümmelbraten crispy roast pork with caraway
Kürbis squash
Kutteln tripe
Labskaus mushy mix of salted meat, potatoes, often beets, and sometimes herring
Lachs salmon
Lahmacun Turkish-style flatbread topped with vegetables, minced meat, and sauce
Laktose lactose
Lamm lamb
Lammbries lamb sweetbreads (innards)
Lammrücken back of lamb
Landjäger skinny, spicy salami
Languste crayfish
Lauch leek
Lauchzwiebel green onion
Laugen pretzel
lauwarm lukewarm
Lavendel lavender
Leber liver
Leberkäse meatloaf made of pork, beef, and sometimes liver
Leberknödel liver dumpling
Leberknödelsuppe liver dumpling soup
Leberwurst soft, spreadable liver sausage
Lebkuchen gingerbread
leicht light
Leipziger Gose acidic light wheat beer (Leipzig)
Leiterchen spareribs
Lemburger medium to full-bodied tannic red wine (Aus.)
Lende loin
Lendenfilet sirloin
Lendenstück tenderloin of T-bone
Lese vintage (wine)
Liebfraumilch semi-sweet white wine
lieblich sweet (wine)
Limabohne lima bean
Limburger strong-smelling, soft cheese with herbs
Limonade clear soda or lemonade
Linse lentil
Linsen mit Spätzle Spätzle (short egg noodles) with lentils
Linzertorte almond cake with raspberry
Liptauer spicy cheese spread (Aus.)
Lorbeer bay (seasoning)
Lorbeer-Blatt bay leaf
Lunge lung
Lungenbraten tenderloin (Aus.)
Lungwurst lung sausage
Lyoner thick, short hot dog
Magen stomach
Mais corn
Majoran marjoram
Makrele mackerel
Malaga rum-raisin flavor
Malzbier non-alcoholic dark beer
Mandarine tangerine
Mandel almond
Mandelgipfel / Mandelhorn almond croissant
Mangold Swiss chard
Maracuja passion fruit
Maria Theresia coffee with orange liqueur (Vienna)
Marille apricot (Aus.)
mariniert marinated
Mark marrow
Markklösschen / Markknödel (Aus.) marrow dumpling
Marktpreis market price
Marmelade jelly; jam
Märzen(bier) light, malty Oktoberfest beer (Bav.)
Mass liter of beer
Matjesfilet raw herring in yogurt
Maul mouth (of an animal)
Maultaschen ravioli
Meeresfrüchte seafood
Meerrettich horseradish
Mehlprodukte wheat; gluten products
Mehrkorn(brot) multigrain (bread)
Melange espresso with foamed milk (Vienna)
Melanzani eggplant (Aus.)
Melasse molasses
Melone cantaloupe
Merlot del Ticino full-bodied red wine (Switz.)
Mettbrot raw ground pork spread on bread, often with raw onions
Mettwurst spreadable, cured and smoked sausage made from uncooked pork
Metzger(ei) butcher
Miesmuschel mussel
Mikrowelle microwave
Milch milk
Milchkaffee espresso or drip coffee with lots of hot milk
mild mild
Milzwurst / Milzstücken spleen sausage
Mineralwasser mineral water
Minze mint
Mohn poppy seed
Mohnkuchen poppy-seed cake
Mohr im Hemd chocolate pudding with chocolate sauce
Möhre carrot (Aus.)
Mokka straight, black espresso (Vienna)
Mönchsfisch monkfish
Müllerin (Art) breaded and fried, usually fish
Müller-Thurgau light and flowery white wine
-mus purée
Muschel clam
Muskatnuss nutmeg
Müsli granola cereal
nach _____-er Art in the style of _____
Nachspeise / Nachtisch dessert
Nacken neck
Nährbier barely alcoholic “near beer”
Naturschnitzel veal cutlet served with rice and sauce
Nelke clove
Niere / Nierchen kidney
Nizzasalat Niçoise salad (with tuna)
Nockerl, Salzburger fluffy, baked pudding / flan
Nudel noodle
Nudelsalat pasta salad
Nürnberger short, spicy grilled sausage (Bav.)
Nüsse nuts
Nussgipfel nut croissant
Nusstorte rich walnut cake (Switz.)
Obatzda paprika cheese spread
Obers cream (Aus.)
Obst fruit
Obstler fruit brandy
Obstsalat fruit salad
Ochse / Ochsenfleisch oxen meat
Ochsenfetzen shredded oxen meat
Ochsenmaulsalat “ox mouth salad” with vinegar, onion, and herbs
Ochsenschwanz oxtail
Ochsenschwanzsuppe oxtail soup
Ofen oven
ofenfrisch oven-fresh
ofengebacken oven-baked
Ofenkartoffel baked potato
Öl oil
Oliv olive
Oliviersalat Russian salad (potatoes, eggs, vegetables, mayo)
Omelett omelet
Orangensaft orange juice
Oregano oregano
Palatschinke crêpe (Aus.)
Pampelmuse grapefruit
Panaché shandy (lager with lemon soda)
paniert breaded
Papaya papaya
Paprika bell pepper; paprika
Paradeiser tomato (Aus.)
Pellkartoffeln boiled and peeled potatoes
Pergament parchment
Perlhühner guinea fowl
Persimone persimmon
Petersilie parsley
Pfälzer see Lyoner
pfannengebraten sautéed
Pfannkuchen pancake; jelly doughnut (Berlin)
Pfeffer pepper
Pfefferkuchen gingerbread
Pfefferminz peppermint
Pfiff fifth-liter (Aus.)
Pfirsich peach
Pflaume plum
Pflümli plum Schnapps
Pichelsteiner meat and vegetable stew
pikant spicy (hot)
Pilsener / Pils light, hoppy beer
Pilz mushroom
Pinienkern pine nut
Pinkel sausage with offal and grains (see Grützwurst)
pinot blanc semi-dry white wine with a fruity nose (Aus.)
Pistazie pistachio
Pizokel cheesy flour dumpling (Switz.)
Platte platter
pochiert poached
Pökelfleisch salt-cured meat
Pommes (frites) French fries
Portugieser mild, light, tart red wine (Aus.)
Preiselbeere cranberry
Presswurst (also Presssack / Presskopf) headcheese–bits of organ meat in congealed fat or blood
Prinzregententorte chocolate layer sponge cake (Bav.)
Pulverkaffee instant coffee
Pute turkey
Quark sweet curd cheese
Quarkkäulchen small pancakes made of sweet curd cheese and mashed potatoes
Quitte quince
Raclette Swiss cheese melted over vegetables (Switz.)
Radiesch radish
Radler shandy (lager with lemon soda)
Ragout stew
Rahm cream
Rahmsauce / Rahmsosse cream sauce
Ratsherrentopf roasted meat and potato stew
Rauchbier dark, “smoky” beer (Bamberg)
Rauchfleisch / Räucherfleisch smoke-cured meat
Rauchzepferl smoky sausage (Munich)
Rauke arugula
Rebe vine
Rebhuhn partridge
Regensburger see Lyoner
Reh deer
Rehpfeffer deer stew (Aus. and Switz.)
Reibekuchen / Reiberdatschi (Bav.) potato pancake
rein pure
Riesen- giant
Riesling fruity, fragrant, elegant white wine
Rind beef
Rinderbraten roast beef
Rinderbrühe beef broth
Rinderlende beef loin
Rinderroulade braised beef rolled up with bacon, onion, and pickles
Rinderschmorbraten pot roast
Rindfleisch beef
Rippe rib
Rivella Swiss soft drink that tastes like chewable vitamins
Roastbeef roast beef
Rogen roe (fish eggs)
Roggen rye
Roggenbier dark-colored rye wheat beer
Roggenmischbrot rye bread
roh raw
Rohkost crudités
Rohrnudel raisin-filled sweet dumpling (Bav. and Aus.)
Rohschinken cured ham
Rotkohl red cabbage
Rollmops pickled herring wrapped around a pickle
Romadur fragrant, soft cow cheese
Römersalat Romaine lettuce
Rosenkohl Brussels sprouts
Rosine raisin
Rosmarin rosemary
Rostbrätel marinated and grilled pork neck
Rostbratwurst grilled sausage (generic term)
Rösti hash browns (Switz.)
rot rare (meat)
Rotbarbe red mullet
rote Bete beet
rote Grütze raspberry and currant pudding
rote Johannisbeere red currant
rote Rübe beet
Rotwein red wine
Rotweiss with ketchup and mayonnaise (Wurst)
Rotwurst sausage of congealed blood
Roulade braised beef rolled up with bacon, onion, and pickles
Royal danish
Rücken back
Rucola arugula (rocket)
Rühreier scrambled eggs
Russ (also Russe / Russ’n) wheat beer and lemon soda
Sacher-Torte decadent chocolate layer cake (Vienna)
Safran saffron
saftig juicy
Sahne cream
Sahnemeerrettich horseradish cream
Saibling char (fish)
Salat salad
Salatsosse salad dressing
Salatteller plate of various salads
Salbei sage
Salz salt
Salzburger Nockerl fluffy, baked pudding / flan
Salzkartoffeln potatoes boiled in salty water
sättigend filling
Saubohne fava bean
Sauce sauce
Sauerampfer sorrel
Sauerbraten marinated roast beef
Sauerkirsche sour cherry
Sauerrahm sour cream
Sauerteig sourdough
Saumagen “sow’s stomach” stuffed with meat, vegetables, and spices
Saure Zipfel Bratwurst cooked in vinegar and onions
Schaf sheep
Schale shell
Schale Gold espresso with a little cream (Vienna)
Schälen peelings from a plant
Schalentiere shellfish
Schalotte shallot
scharf spicy (hot)
Schäufele oven-roasted pork shoulder with gravy
Schaum foam
Scheibe slice
(in) Scheiben geschnitten sliced
Schenkel thigh
Schinken ham
Schinkenfleckerl ham, egg noodle, and cheese casserole
Schinkenspeck prosciutto
Schlachtplatte / Schlachtschüssel blood sausage, Leberwurst, and other meat over hot sauerkraut (“butcher’s plate”)
Schlagsahne whipped cream
Schlagobers heavy cream; whipped cream (Aus.)
Schlegel drumstick
Schlögel leg (Aus.)
Schlesisches Himmelreich pork roast, ham, dumplings, and stewed fruit in a white sauce (“Silesian Heaven”–Silesia)
Schlutzkrapfen ravioli
Schmalz lard
Schmalzbrot bread smeared with lard
Schmand sour cream
Schmankerl specialty
Schmaus feast of simple grub
schmelz- melted
Schmutziges lager and cola (“dirty”)
Schnauze snout
Schnecken “snail”-shaped pastry roll
Schneeball pie crusts crumpled into a ball (Rothenburg)
schnitt cut; julienne
Schnittlauch chive
Schnittlauchbrot bread with cream cheese and diced chives
Schnitzel thinly sliced pork or veal
Schokolade chocolate
Scholle whitefish
Schoppe hard cider (Frankfurt)
Schorle spritzer; wine cooler
Schulter shoulder
Schupfnudeln thick, finger-sized potato noodles
Schwammerl large mushroom (Bav. and Aus.)
Schwarzbier very dark (“black”), chocolaty lager
Schwarzbrot dark rye bread
schwarze Johannisbeere black currant
Schwarzer straight, black espresso (Vienna)
Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte Black Forest cake–chocolate, cherries, and cream
Schwarzwurst sausage of congealed blood
Schweinebraten roasted pork with gravy
Schweinefleisch pork
Schweinenacken pork neck
Schweinerollbraten roasted pork belly
Schweinerüssel pork snout
Schweinshaxe / Schweinshax’n pork knuckle
Schweinswurst pork sausage (generic term)
Schweizer Käse Swiss cheese
Schweizer Wurstsalat chopped-up sausage with onions and Swiss cheese in oil and vinegar
Schwenker grilled on an open fire
Seeanemone anemone
Seebarsch sea bass
Seehecht hake
Seeteufel monkfish
Seezunge sole (fish)
Seidel third-liter (Aus., beer)
Sekt sparkling wine
Semmel roll (Bav. and Aus.)
Semmelknödel bread dumpling
Senf mustard
Serbische Bohnensuppe bean soup (Aus.)
Silvaner acidic, fruity white wine
Sonnenblume sunflower
Sonnenblumenkerne sunflower seeds
Sorbet sherbet
Sosse sauce
Sossklopse meatballs with capers and potatoes in a white sauce (E. Germ.)
Späne shavings
Spanferkel roast suckling pig
Spargel (grüner / weisser) asparagus (green / white); “Spargel” alone is usually white
Spätburgunder pinot noir
Spätlese “late harvest” wine (sweet)
Spätzle short egg noodles
Speck fatty bacon
Specklinsen lentils with bacon
Speckpfannkuchen large, savory crêpe with bacon
Speckwirsing heavy greens in bacon and cream sauce
Speisekarte menu
Spezial strong pale lager (beer)
Spezialität / Schmankerl (Aus.) specialty
Spiegeleier fried eggs
Spiess / Spie skewer
Spinat spinach
Spitze tip; point
Sprudel carbonation (bubbly water)
(ohne) Sprudel without carbonation (still water)
sprudelnd sparkling
St. Saphorin lovely, fruity white wine (Switz.)
Stange third-liter (beer)
Stangenspargel stem of asparagus
Starkbier “strong beer” (usually Bockbier)
Steckerlfisch entire fish grilled on a stick
Steinbutt turbot
Stelze knuckle (Aus.)
Stint smelt
Stippgrütze sausage with offal and grains (see Grützwurst)
Stollen sweet Christmas bread
Stolzer Heinrich grilled sausage in beer sauce (Berlin)
Strauch bush; vine
Strauchtomaten vine-ripened tomatoes
Streichwurst meat spread
Streifen strips
Streuselkuchen coffee cake squares
Stück piece
Sülze aspic (jellied meat stock)
Suppe soup
Surhaxe roasted marinated pork knuckle
süss sweet
Süsswaren sweets (usually pastry)
Tablett tray
Tafelspitz broth-boiled beef with apples and horseradish
Tafelwasser mineral water (“table water”)
Tafelwein table wine
Tagesgericht special of the day
Tageskarte menu of the day
Tagesmenü fixed-price meal of the day
Tasse cup
Tee tea
Teewurst air-dried sausage
Teilchen sweet roll
Teller plate
Teufelsalat “devil’s salad” with beef, mayo, tabasco, and tomato
Thunfisch tuna
Thüringer long, skinny, peppery grilled sausage
Thüringer Rotwurst blood-sausage variation of Thüringer
Thymian thyme
Tilapia tilapia
Tilsiter mild, tangy, firm cheese
Tiroler Bauernschmaus various meats with sauerkraut, potatoes, and dumplings
Tirolerwurst sliced smoked sausage (Aus.)
Tomate tomato
Topfen sweet cheese curds (Aus.)
Topfenstrudel puff pastry filled with sweet cheese and raisins (Aus.)
Törtchen tart
Torte cake
Traube grape
Traubenblatt grape leaf
Traubensaft grape juice
trocken dry (wine)
Trockenbeerenauslese exceptionally sweet wine made from grapes that have frozen and shriveled on the vine
Truthahn turkey
türkische Pizza flatbread topped with vegetables, minced meat, and sauce (“Turkish pizza”)
typisch local (“typical”)
überbacken scalloped (baked in layers); au gratin
Vanille vanilla
Vanillepudding custard
Veganer vegan
Vegetarier vegetarian
verbrannt burned
Verlängerter espresso with hot water (Vienna)
Vermicell chestnut mousse in noodle shape (Switz.)
Viertel quarter-liter (wine)
Vinaigrette vinaigrette
Vogerlsalat lamb’s lettuce (mâche) (Aus.)
Vollkornbrot dark bread, whole wheat
vollmundig full-bodied (wine)
Vorderviertel chuck
Vorspeise appetizers
Wachtel quail
Wachtelei(er) quail egg(s)
Waffel cone; waffle
wahlweise choice of
Waldbauernflade rustic flatbread
Waldviertler smoked sausage (Aus.)
Walnuss walnut
Wasser water
Wasserkresse watercress
Wassermelone watermelon
Weckle roll (S. Germ)
weich soft (cheese)
weichgekocht soft-boiled
Weichsel sour cherry (Aus.)
Weihnachtsbier seasonal, dark “Christmas” beer
Wein wine
Weinberg vineyard
Weinkarte wine list
Weinlese vintage (wine)
Weinprobe wine tasting
(vom) Weinstock from the vine
Weintraube grape (wine)
weiss white
Weissbier wheat beer
Weissbrot light bread
weisse Rübe turnip
weisser Spargel white asparagus
Weisswein white wine
Weisswurst boiled veal sausage
Weizen wheat
Weizenbier wheat beer
Wiener breaded and fried (“Viennese style”)
Wienerwurst / Wienerli see Frankfurter
Wiener Eiskaffee coffee with vanilla ice cream (Vienna)
Wiener Schnitzel breaded, panfried veal
wild wild
Wild / Wildfleisch game
Wildbret venison
Wildhuhn game hen
Wildschwein wild boar
Windbeutel cream puff
Wirsing Savoy cabbage
Wittling whiting (fish)
Wollwurst skinless, grilled Weisswurst
Würfel cube
Wurst sausage
Wurstsalat chopped-up sausage with onions in oil and vinegar
Wurzel root
Wurzelgemüse root vegetables
würzig spicy (flavorful)
Yufka Turkish-style rotisserie meat in a flatbread wrap
Zahnstocher toothpick
Zander pikeperch
zart tender; lightly
zerlassen melted
Ziege goat
Ziegenkäse goat cheese
Zimt cinnamon
Zipfel end; tip
Zitrone lemon
Zitrus citrus
Zucchini zucchini
Zucker sugar
Zuckergebäck pastry; sweet roll
zum Mitnehmen to go
Zunge tongue
Zweigelt light, spicy, floral red wine (Aus.)
Zwetschge plum
Zwetschgenknödel fried plum dumpling
Zwickelbier unfiltered lager
Zwiebel onion
Zwiebelbraten pot roast with onions
Zwiebelringen onion rings
Zwiebelwurst liver and onion sausage