When dining out in Turkey, knowing some key Turkish phrases and vocabulary can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re making a reservation, ordering food, or paying the bill, this guide has everything you need. Let’s dive into the essentials for a perfect restaurant experience in Turkey! Hadi restorana gidelim!
Table of Contents
Dining Vocabulary
In this section, we will highlight some of the essential vocabulary to help you enjoy your dining experience in Turkey.
Utensils
Turkish | English |
---|---|
Tabak | Plate |
Kâse | Bowl |
Bardak | Glass |
Çatal | Fork |
Bıçak | Knife |
Kaşık | Spoon |
Peçete | Napkin |
Fincan | Cup |
Tava | Pan |
Yemek çubuğu | Chopsticks |
Food
Turkish | English |
Tavuk | Chicken |
Balık | Fish |
Et | Meat |
Salata | Salad |
Ekmek | Bread |
Çorba | Soup |
Tatlı | Dessert |
Dondurma | Ice cream |
Meze | Appetizer |
For more food vocabulary, check out this list of fruits & vegetables in Turkish.
Beverages
Turkish | English |
---|---|
Su | Water |
Soda | Sparkling water |
Bira | Beer |
Şarap | Wine |
Çay | Tea |
Kahve | Coffee |
Ayran | Yogurt drink |
Limonata | Lemonade |
Gazoz | Soda pop |
Şalgam suyu | Turnip juice |
Rakı | Anise-flavored spirit |
Portakal suyu | Orange juice |
Tastes
Turkish | English |
Tatlı | Sweet |
Acı | Bitter |
Ekşi | Sour |
Tuzlu | Salty |
Baharatlı | Spicy |
Other Useful Words
Turkish | English |
---|---|
Restoran | Restaurant |
Masa | Table |
Rezervasyon | Reservation |
Menü | Menu |
Bahşiş | Tip |
Garson | Waiter/Waitress |
Şef | Chef |
Hesap | Bill/Check |
Tuzluk | Salt shaker |
Biberlik | Pepper shaker |
Sipariş | Order |
Ana yemek | Main course |
Making a Reservation
In Turkey, making a reservation might not always be necessary for small or mid-sized restaurants, but for special occasions, popular spots, or larger groups, it’s a good idea to book in advance. Here’s how to do it seamlessly.
By Phone
Here’s a typical dialogue for making a reservation by phone in Turkey:
Restaurant:
- İyi günler. “X Restoranı”. Nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? “Good day. X Restaurant. How may I help you?”
Customer:
- İyi günler. Cumartesi akşamı için üç kişilik rezervasyon yaptırmak istiyorum. “Good day. I’d like to make a reservation for three on Saturday evening.”
Restaurant:
- Saat kaçta gelmeyi düşünüyorsunuz? “What time are you planning to come?”
Customer:
- Sekizde, lütfen. “For eight o’clock, please.”
Restaurant:
- Tamam. Rezervasyonunuz onaylandı. Başka bir şey var mı? “Alright. Your reservation is confirmed. Is there anything else?”
Customer:
- Teşekkür ederim. Hoşçakalın. “Thank you. Goodbye.”
At the Restaurant
If you’ve already made a reservation:
- John Smith adına rezervasyonum vardı. “I had a reservation under the name John Smith.”
If not:
- İki kişilik bir masa istiyoruz lütfen. “We’d like a table for two, please.”
- Boş masanız var mı? “Do you have any available tables?”
- Biraz beklememiz gerekecek mi? “Will we need to wait for a table?”
- Dışarıda oturabilir miyiz? “Can we sit outside?”
Common Phrases Once Seated
Once seated, knowing how to get the waiter’s attention or ask for the menu can be useful, right? These phrases will help you navigate the dining experience confidently.
Getting the Waiter’s Attention
- Pardon, bakar mısınız? “Excuse me, can you come over there?”
- Sipariş verebilir miyiz? “Can we order?”
Asking About the Menu
- Menüyü alabilir miyiz? “Can we have the menu?”
- Ne tavsiye edersiniz? “What do you recommend?”
- Bugünün spesiyalleri neler? “What are today’s specials?”
- Tatlı menüsünü getirebilir misiniz? “Could you bring the dessert menu?”
- Şarap menüsünü alabilir miyiz? “Can we have the wine menu?”
- Menüde vejetaryen yemek var mı? “Are there vegetarian dishes on the menu?”
Ordering Food and Drinks
- Bir porsiyon iskender lütfen. “One portion of Iskender kebab, please.”
- Bir bardak ayran istiyorum. “I’d like a glass of ayran.”
- Bir mercimek çorbası alabilir miyiz? “Could we have one lentil soup?”
- Kebap yerine bir salata alabilir miyim? “Can I get a salad instead of the kebab?”
- Siparişimizi yanlış getirmişsiniz, değiştirebilir misiniz? “You brought the wrong order; could you change it?”
Asking for Additional Items
- Peçete alabilir miyim? “Can I have a napkin?”
- Biraz daha su getirebilir misiniz? “Could you bring some more water?”
- Biraz ketçap alabilir miyiz? “Could we have some ketchup?”
- Mayonez getirebilir misiniz? “Can you bring mayonnaise?”
- Tuz ve biber alabilir miyiz? “Could we have salt and pepper?”
Compliments and Complaints
- Yemekler harikaydı, teşekkürler. “The food was amazing, thank you.”
- Bu yemek çok tuzluydu. “This dish was too salty.”
- Siparişimi unuttunuz, ne zaman gelir? “You forgot my order; when will it arrive?”
- Bu yemek tam pişmemiş, değiştirebilir misiniz? “This dish is undercooked; could you change it?”
- Masamız için su istemiştik ama gelmedi. “We asked for water for our table, but it hasn’t arrived.”
After Dining
From asking for the bill to tipping customs, there are certain phrases and practices that can help you wrap up your dining experience smoothly. Here are some key phrases to use.
Asking for the Bill
- Hesap lütfen. “The bill, please.”
- Hesabı ayrı ayrı ödeyebilir miyiz? “Can we pay separately?”
Tipping
While tipping is not mandatory, leaving 10% is common in Türkiye. Use these phrases:
- Bahşiş kutusu var mı? “Is there a tip box?”
- Üstü kalsın. “Keep the change.”
Turkish Idioms to Use at the Restaurant
Last but not least, idioms add a touch of charm and cultural understanding to your conversations. Do you want to impress the waiter? These expressions will not only impress locals but also make your dining interactions more enjoyable and engaging!
- Ağzının tadını bilmek
- Literal: To know the taste of one’s mouth.
- Meaning: To have refined taste.
- Example: Sen ağzının tadını bilirsin, bu yemeği mutlaka dene. “You have good taste; you must try this dish.”
- Lokma saymak
- Literal: To count bites.
- Meaning: To be stingy. Lokma saymak is something Turkish people use when someone stares at them while eating, acting like as if they don’t want them to eat. The most common usage is “Lokmalarımı mı sayıyorsun?”
- Examples:
- Lokmalarımı mı sayıyorsun? “Are you counting my bites?!”
- Lokma sayma, doyana kadar ye. “Don’t be stingy; eat until you’re full.”
- Eli açık
- Literal: Open-handed.
- Meaning: Generous.
- Example: Garsona eli açık davran, çok yardımcı oldu. “Be generous to the waiter; he was very helpful.”
- Gönül sofrası
- Literal: Heart table.
- Meaning: A meal shared with love and generosity.
- Example: Bu sofrayı bir gönül sofrasına çevirdiğiniz için teşekkürler. “Thank you for turning this table into a meal of love.”
- Sofrada tuz olmak
- Literal: To be the salt on the table.
- Meaning: Participating in the process of doing something and adding value or flavor to it.
- Example:
- Sofrada benim de tuzum oldu. “I also participated in the project”
- Sen de sofrada tuz oldun, iyi ki geldin. “You added flavor to the table; I’m glad you came.”
Now you are fully ready to navigate Turkish restaurants and impress locals with your knowledge. Enjoy your meal (“Afiyet olsun!”) and the warm hospitality Turkey has to offer!