How to Ask for the Bill in Greek: Paying at a Restaurant

Asking for the bill is only one part of paying. You may also need to ask about separate payments or check an item you do not recognise. These phrases help you make the request and explain the question politely. They do not assume that every restaurant offers the same payment arrangements.

Six useful payment phrases

• Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. — The bill, please.
• Μπορούμε να πληρώσουμε χωριστά; — Can we pay separately?
• Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; — Can I pay by card?
• Τι είναι αυτό στον λογαριασμό; — What is this on the bill?
• Νομίζω ότι υπάρχει ένα λάθος. — I think there is a mistake.
• Δεν παραγγείλαμε αυτό. — We did not order this.

A short clarification

Ask first, then explain

Τι είναι αυτό στον λογαριασμό; asks for information without assuming an error. If the explanation does not match your order, you can say Νομίζω ότι υπάρχει ένα λάθος. The phrase Δεν παραγγείλαμε αυτό refers to what your group did not order; if you are speaking only for yourself, use Δεν παρήγγειλα αυτό.

Separate payments and payment method

Μπορούμε να πληρώσουμε χωριστά; asks whether separate payments are possible. It does not mean the same thing as dividing the total into equal shares. Listen to the answer before deciding how to pay. Με κάρτα means “by card”; με μετρητά means “in cash”. The phrase Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; is a question, not a claim about what the restaurant accepts.

Choose a phrase for the situation

1. You have finished and want the bill. What do you say?
2. Your group wants to ask about separate payments. What do you ask?
3. You do not recognise an item on the bill. Ask what it is.
4. An item was not ordered by your group. State that politely after saying Συγγνώμη.

Practise the response, not just the request

Read the dialogue twice. First accept the explanation about the second coffee. Then change your response: your group ordered only one coffee, so say Παραγγείλαμε μόνο έναν καφέ — “We ordered only one coffee.” If you do not understand the reply, use a clarification phrase rather than repeating the complaint louder.

Other ways to ask for the bill

Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ is short and always acceptable. These alternatives are fuller, more polite or useful once the bill arrives:

• Μας φέρνετε τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ; — Could you bring us the bill, please? (everyday and polite)
• Θα μπορούσαμε να έχουμε τον λογαριασμό; — Could we have the bill? (very polite)
• Μπορούμε να πληρώσουμε; — Can we pay? (short, when the waiter passes by)
• Θα πληρώσω εγώ. — I will pay (said to the people you are with).
• Κρατήστε τα ρέστα. — Keep the change.
• Μπορώ να έχω την απόδειξη; — Can I have the receipt?

Common mistakes

• Ο λογαριασμός, παρακαλώ. → Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ.: in a request, the bill is the object, so the article and ending change.
• σε κάρτα → με κάρτα: Greek pays “with” a card or cash — με κάρτα, με μετρητά.
• Μπορούμε να πληρώσουμε μαζί; means “Can we pay together?”. If you want separate payments, the word is χωριστά, not μαζί.

Questions about paying in Greek

How do you say “the bill, please” in Greek? Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ. The noun is ο λογαριασμός, which also means “account”.

How do you say “keep the change” in Greek? To a waiter, say Κρατήστε τα ρέστα. To a friend, the informal form is Κράτα τα ρέστα.

How do you ask to pay by card in Greek? Ask Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; It is a question, so wait for the answer before taking out your card.

Try the restaurant listening exercise. Practise asking someone to repeat.

Practise booking a restaurant table.

Order a coffee in Greek.