Food & Drinks

1. Ένα μενού, παρακαλώ

   E-na me-NU pa-ra-ka-LO

   A menu, please

   Usage

   First phrase to use when seated at a restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "ένα" is the indefinite article for neuter nouns. "μενού" is a loanword from French

2. Τι συνιστάτε;

   ti si-ni-STA-te

   What do you recommend?

   Usage

   Polite way to ask the waiter for their recommendation

   Grammar Note

   Polite/plural form of "συνιστώ" (to recommend). A classic restaurant phrase

3. Είμαι χορτοφάγος

   I-me chor-to-FA-gos

   I am a vegetarian

   Usage

   Essential phrase for dietary restrictions; Greek cuisine often includes meat

   Grammar Note

   "χορτοφάγος" combines "χόρτο" (grass/herb) + "φάγω" (to eat). Vegan is "βίγκαν"

4. Θα ήθελα μουσακά

   tha I-the-la mu-sa-KA

   I would like the moussaka

   Usage

   Ordering Greece's iconic dish; "θα ήθελα" is the polite ordering form

   Grammar Note

   "θα ήθελα" is conditional past for polite requests. Using "θέλω" (I want) is also acceptable

5. Ένα καράφι κρασί, παρακαλώ

   E-na ka-RA-fi kra-SI pa-ra-ka-LO

   A carafe of wine, please

   Usage

   In Greece it's common to order local wine by the carafe

   Grammar Note

   "κρασί" is a neuter noun. Specify color with "λευκό" (white) or "κόκκινο" (red)

6. Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ

   ton lo-ga-ri-a-SMO pa-ra-ka-LO

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Standard phrase to request the bill after a meal

   Grammar Note

   Accusative of "λογαριασμός" (masculine noun). "Πληρώνω χωριστά" (I'll pay separately) is also useful

7. Έχετε χαλάλ φαγητό;

   E-che-te cha-LAL fa-gi-TO

   Do you have halal food?

   Usage

   For travelers who require halal-certified food

   Grammar Note

   "Έχετε" + noun means "do you have". "χαλάλ" is borrowed from Arabic (via Turkish), not from English

8. Πολύ νόστιμο!

   po-LI NO-sti-mo

   Very delicious!

   Usage

   Compliment the food; one of the greatest courtesies you can show a Greek host

   Grammar Note

   "νόστιμο" is neuter adjective form. Masculine: "νόστιμος", feminine: "νόστιμη"

9. Χωρίς γλουτένη, παρακαλώ

   cho-RIS glu-TE-ni pa-ra-ka-LO

   Without gluten, please

   Usage

   Dietary restriction phrase for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease

   Grammar Note

   "χωρίς" + accusative noun means "without". For allergies use "αλλεργία"

10. Ένα νερό, παρακαλώ

    E-na ne-RO pa-ra-ka-LO

    One water, please

    Usage

    The simplest way to order water at a café or restaurant

    Grammar Note

    "νερό" is neuter. Specify "εμφιαλωμένο" (bottled) or "βρύσης" (tap water)

11. Βρασμένο ρύζι

    vra-SME-no RI-zi

    Cooked rice

    Usage

    Point when ordering cooked rice; bare "ρύζι" also means uncooked rice

12. Ψωμί

    pso-MI

    Bread

    Usage

    Point when asking for bread

13. Μακαρόνια

    ma-ka-RO-ni-a

    Noodles / pasta

    Usage

    Covers pasta and noodles; Asian-style noodles are called "νουντλς"

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