Cafes are a central part of Arab social life. Whether you are meeting friends, having a business meeting, or just taking a break, knowing how to order at a cafe is essential. Arabic coffee and tea culture is rich and varied, with different types of coffee and tea served in different regions.
Ordering Drinks
| Drink | Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| coffee | قهوة | qahwa | coffee |
| Arabic coffee | قهوة عربية | qahwa 3arabiyya | Arabic coffee (with cardamom) |
| Turkish coffee | قهوة تركية | qahwa turkiyya | Turkish coffee (thick, sweet) |
| tea | شاي | shaay | tea |
| mint tea | شاي بالنعناع | shaay bil-na3na3 | mint tea |
| water | ماء | maa’ | water |
| juice | عصير | aseer | juice |
| soda | مشروب غازي | mashruub ghāzee | carbonated drink |
| milk | حليب | haliib | milk |
| iced coffee | قهوة باردة | qahwa bārida | iced coffee |
| lemonade | ليمونادة | laymūnaada | lemonade |
Ordering Food
| Food | Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| pastry | حلوى | ḥalwaa | sweets / pastry |
| croissant | كرواسان | krowsaan | croissant |
| cake | كعكة | ka3ka | cake |
| sandwich | ساندويتش | saandaweetsh | sandwich |
| cookies | بسكويت | baskuweet | cookies |
| manakish | مناقيش | manaqqeesh | Lebanese flatbread |
| falafel | فلافل | falāfil | falafel |
At the Cafe
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| هل لديكم قائمة؟ | hal ladaykum qaa’ima? | do you have a menu? |
| أريد قهوة من فضلك | urīdu qahwa min faḍlak | I want coffee please |
| بدون سكر | bidūn sukkar | without sugar |
| مع سكر | ma3 sukkar | with sugar |
| ساخن | sākhin | hot |
| بارد | baarid | cold |
| الحساب من فضلك | al-ḥisāb min faḍlak | the bill please |
| ممكن القائمة؟ | mumkin al-qaa’ima? | can I have the menu? |
| ما تنصحني؟ | ma tanṣaḥnee? | what do you recommend? |
| هذا لذيذ | haadha ladheedh | this is delicious |
Dialogue at the Cafe
Ordering at a cafe
- Aahlan, tafaddalHello, please (go ahead)
- Bmarhaban, urīdu qahwan 3arabiyyatanHello, I want Arabic coffee
- Abidūn sukkar?Without sugar?
- Bma3i sukkarin min faḍlakWith sugar please
- Awa ḥalwaa?And sweets?
- Blā shukran, faqaṭ al-qahwaNo thank you, just the coffee
- Atafaddal, qahwan 3arabiyyatanHere you go, Arabic coffee
- Bshukran, kam?Thank you, how much?
- Akhamsatu riyālātFive riyals
Dialogue: With Friends
Meeting at a cafe
- Ahaay, wash tintaaj?Hi, what do you need?
- Bqahwa turkiyya ma3 sukkarTurkish coffee with sugar
- Awa ana shaay bil-na3na3And I'll have mint tea
- Bmā ra'yuka fī manaqqeesh?What about manakish?
- Afikra ḥasana, yallaGood idea, let's go
Types of Arabic Coffee
| Type | Region | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| قهوة عربية | Gulf, Levant | Light, cardamom-flavored |
| قهوة تركية | Turkey, Levant | Thick, unfiltered, sweet |
| قهوة جزرية | North Africa | Strong, often with spices |
| قهوة بيضاء | Gulf | Light, with saffron |
Polite Phrases
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| من فضلك | min faḍlak | please (to a man) |
| من فضلكِ | min faḍliki | please (to a woman) |
| شكراً جزيلاً | shukran jazeelan | thank you very much |
| عفوًا | 3afwan | you’re welcome |
| بالعافية | bil-3āfiya | bon appetit / enjoy your meal |
Cultural Notes
- Arabic coffee is often served in small cups without handles
- It is polite to accept at least one cup of coffee when offered
- The host pours the coffee — do not pour for yourself
- Tap the cup gently when you have had enough
- Coffee is often served with dates in the Gulf region
Practice
How do you ask for the bill in Arabic?
hint: Think of 'the account please'
What is 'بدون سكر' in English?
hint: 'بدون' means 'without'
How do you say 'this is delicious' in Arabic?
hint: Use 'لذيذ' for 'delicious'
What is 'بالعافية' in English?
hint: It is said before eating
Match each pair — start with Arabic (left)
0 / 8Arabic
English
← Select an Arabic word, then tap its meaning →
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