Asking For The Bill In Austria: What You Need To Know

When dining out in Austria, it's important to be aware of the local customs and manners to avoid making cultural mistakes. One such custom relates to how to ask for the bill at a restaurant. In Austrian culture, it is customary to politely request the bill when you are ready to leave, as the waiter will typically not bring it until asked. This is in contrast to some other countries, where the bill may be presented to diners before they have finished their meal or drinks. To get the waiter's attention in Austria, it is recommended to make eye contact, use a polite tone, and say Herr Ober or wave slightly. When the bill arrives, it is customary to round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10% to the total as a tip for the service, depending on the type of restaurant.

How to ask for the bill in Austria

Greeting staff and getting their attention

When greeting staff, you can use phrases such as "Gruss Gott" or "Grüss Sie" in Vienna, which are common greetings in Austria. You can also say "Guten Tag" or "Habe die Ehre" ("Hawe'dere"), which is very Viennese and means "It's a pleasure meeting you". Additionally, when the waiter or waitress approaches your table and says "bitte schon", you can simply start giving them your order in response.

To get the attention of the staff when you want to ask for the bill, you can make eye contact and give a polite call, such as "Herr Ober", or a slight wave of the hand. Alternatively, you can try waving with your wallet, which some people claim works every time. However, this may not be the most stylish option.

Tipping etiquette

If you want to leave a larger tip for exceptional service, you can do so, but anything over 10% is uncommon. On the other hand, leaving less than 5% can be seen as a bit cheap, depending on the type of restaurant. It is worth noting that in Austria, it is not customary to leave a tip on the table when you leave. Instead, you should ask for the bill and then indicate the total amount you wish to pay, including the tip.

If you are paying by card, you may need to ask the server to add the tip to the bill before processing the payment, as credit card receipts may not have a designated space for adding a tip. This is a common practice in the German-speaking world and is not considered rude or unusual.

In terms of how to get the server's attention to request the bill, it is considered polite to make eye contact and give a slight wave or a polite call of "Herr Ober". It is also important to note that in Austria, it is generally not customary to receive the bill without asking for it first. This is in contrast to some other countries, where the bill may be brought to the table without a prompt.

Seating arrangements

When dining out in Austria, it is customary for the person who extended the invitation to pay the bill. In a cafe or normal restaurant, you can just seat yourself, but in a deluxe restaurant, you will be shown to your seat. In normal restaurants and cafes, it is not customary to leave a tip on the table when leaving. Instead, you can round up the bill to the nearest round amount, keeping the change as a tip for the waiter.

In Austrian culture, when visiting someone's home, guests are expected to remain standing until they are instructed where to sit by the host. Hosts will often offer the best seat in the home to their guests. It is also common for hosts to offer guests something to occupy themselves with, such as a book, or a beverage, such as water, tea, coffee, or juice.

In terms of seating arrangements on Austrian Airlines, there are several options for reserving your seat. Firstly, you can reserve your seat online when booking your flight. You can also reserve your seat by calling the Austrian Airlines call centre, where a representative will guide you through the options available. Additionally, you can reserve your seat at the airport check-in desk. HON Circle Members and Senators have the option of reserving a Classic Seat or Preferred Zone Seat for free on flights with Austrian Airlines, although this benefit is subject to availability and does not apply to all fare types.

Ordering etiquette

Dining out in Austria is generally a formal affair, with Austrians known for their politeness and reserve. This formality extends to the dining table, where certain expectations of behaviour are observed.

Firstly, it is customary to wait to be seated by a member of staff. This is usually the case even in cafes and bars, although there are some exceptions, particularly in pubs and self-service cafes. In most restaurants, you will be asked for your drinks order first and given time before ordering food. It is not customary to be brought water with your meal, so be sure to ask for some if you require it.

When you wish to pay, it is polite to ask for the bill, rather than it being brought to you without asking. To get the attention of the waiting staff, eye contact and a polite "Herr Ober" or a slight wave of the hand are acceptable. It is not customary to leave a tip on the table when leaving. Instead, you should round up the bill to the nearest Euro or add 5-10% to the total. For example, if the bill is 4.70 Euros, you could give the waiter a 5 Euro bill and say thank you. This indicates that you wish to be charged 5 Euros and that they can keep the change as a tip. Alternatively, you can ask the server to add a tip to the bill before you pay by card.

Asking for the bill in German

When you're ready to ask for the bill in Austria, it's important to note that it's customary to request it from the waiter, who will usually only bring it after being asked. Here are some useful German phrases to help you navigate this situation:

• Zahlen, bitte: This phrase translates directly to "Paying, please" and is a concise and straightforward way to request the bill.
• Kann ich zahlen, bitte?: Similar to the previous phrase, this expression means "Can I pay, please?" and is a polite request to settle the bill.
• Die Rechnung, bitte: With this phrase, you're asking for the "check, please." It's a direct and common way to request the bill.
• Kann ich bitte die Rechnung haben?: This phrase translates to "Can I have the check, please?" and is a polite inquiry for the bill.
• Ich möchte gerne zahlen: Express your intention to pay with this phrase, which means "I'd like to pay."

Additionally, you can use the phrase "Ich würde gerne zahlen" to convey the same sentiment as "Ich möchte gerne zahlen."

When it comes to tipping etiquette in Austria, rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros for good service is customary. For instance, if the bill amounts to €22.70, you might round it up to €24, showing your appreciation for the service. It's worth noting that in Austria, menu prices in restaurants must include all charges by law, so there won't be any unexpected service charges added to your bill.

Frequently asked questions