Order Coffee

Здравейте!

Zdraveyte!

Hello!

First words when you walk up to the counter — polite/formal, works with anyone.

Едно кафе, моля.

Edno kafe, molya.

One coffee, please.

The bread-and-butter café order — what you say when you want a plain coffee.

С мляко, моля.

S mlyako, molya.

With milk, please.

Add-on after ordering coffee — the barista will ask or you volunteer it.

Без захар, моля.

Bez zahar, molya.

No sugar, please.

Bulgarian coffee often comes sweetened by default — say this up front.

Едно еспресо, моля.

Edno espreso, molya.

One espresso, please.

Short black coffee — the default 'кафе' in many places is already espresso-style.

Едно капучино, моля.

Edno kapuchino, molya.

One cappuccino, please.

Common morning order — milky coffee drink, understood everywhere.

Едно кафе с мляко, моля.

Edno kafe s mlyako, molya.

One coffee with milk, please.

At the counter when you want milk in it but not a tall milky drink: 'кафе с мляко' is an espresso with milk poured in, served in a small cup. It is not a лате — order лате if you want the glass.

Голямо, моля.

Golyamo, molya.

Large, please.

Answer when the barista asks 'малко или голямо?' (small or large).

Малко, моля.

Malko, molya.

Small, please.

Answer when asked about size — the default for a standard espresso.

За вкъщи, моля.

Za vkashti, molya.

To go, please.

Grab-and-go moment — they'll reach for a paper cup instead of a ceramic one.

За тук, моля.

Za tuk, molya.

To drink here, please.

When you want to sit down — opposite of 'за вкъщи'.

Колко струва?

Kolko struva?

How much is it?

Ask before tapping a card — price may not be on the board for add-ons.

С карта, моля.

S karta, molya.

By card, please.

Answer to 'с карта или в брой?' — tap or insert the card.

В брой, моля.

V broy, molya.

In cash, please.

Small neighborhood places may prefer cash — have some euros ready.

Не разбирам.

Ne razbiram.

I don't understand.

Say this the moment you freeze — the barista will slow down or switch to English.

Моля, повторете.

Molya, povtorete.

Please repeat.

Polite form — works with strangers and service staff.

По-бавно, моля.

Po-bavno, molya.

Slower, please.

You caught some words but not all — this keeps the conversation in Bulgarian.

Говорите ли английски?

Govorite li angliyski?

Do you speak English?

The last-resort button — use only after you've tried to recover in Bulgarian.

Извинете, не разбрах.

Izvinete, ne razbrah.

Sorry, I didn't catch that.

The barista fired a question at you and it went past. Natives use the past form 'не разбрах' in the moment — 'не разбирам' sounds like you never understand. Say this before reaching for English.

Може ли да ми го покажете?

Mozhe li da mi go pokazhete?

Can you show it to me?

Words are not landing — ask them to point at it on the board, the pastry case or the till screen. Keeps the exchange in Bulgarian instead of switching languages.

Много благодаря!

Mnogo blagodarya!

Thank you very much!

Say it when they hand over the cup — warmer than a plain 'благодаря'.

Приятен ден!

Priyaten den!

Have a good day!

On the way out — the barista will almost always say it back.

Благодаря, всичко хубаво!

Blagodarya, vsichko hubavo!

Thanks, all the best!

Picking up your cup and stepping away — a warmer send-off than a bare 'благодаря' and very common in Sofia cafés.

Едно лате, моля.

Edno late, molya.

One latte, please.

You want the tall glass of milky coffee. In most Sofia cafés 'лате' is a glass, while 'кафе с мляко' is a small cup — not everyone treats them as the same drink, so name the one you mean.

Едно макиато, моля.

Edno makiato, molya.

One macchiato, please.

Ordering the espresso-with-foam. Be warned: a Bulgarian 'макиато' is usually served in a small glass with foamed milk, closer to a latte macchiato than the Italian espresso macchiato — ask about the size if it matters.

Едно американо, моля.

Edno amerikano, molya.

One americano, please.

What to order if a plain 'кафе' came out too small and too strong for you — an espresso lengthened with hot water, the closest thing here to an American cup of coffee.

Ако поръчам кафе, еспресо ли е?

Ako porucham kafe, espreso li e?

If I order 'a coffee', is that an espresso?

Worth asking once, early on. 'Едно кафе' in Bulgaria almost always means a short espresso in a tiny cup, not a mug of filter coffee — this is the question that saves an American from a very disappointing first order.

Едно фрапе, моля.

Edno frape, molya.

One frappé, please.

Summer default on a terrace. Bulgarian фрапе is instant coffee (нес) shaken with ice and served tall — it is not an iced espresso, so don't order it expecting one.

Имате ли филтърно кафе?

Imate li filtarno kafe?

Do you have filter coffee?

Drip coffee is not standard in Bulgarian cafés — many places do espresso drinks only. Ask before you plan your morning around a big filter cup.

Средно, моля.

Sredno, molya.

Medium, please.

Answer when the board or the barista offers малко / средно / голямо — средно is the middle cup, the usual choice for a cappuccino or latte.

Двойно еспресо, моля.

Dvoyno espreso, molya.

A double espresso, please.

One shot won't do it. 'Двойно' means two shots in the same cup and is understood everywhere.

По-слабо, моля.

Po-slabo, molya.

Weaker, please.

Bulgarian espresso runs short and strong — this asks them to pull it lighter, said while you're still ordering.

Може ли с повече вода?

Mozhe li s poveche voda?

Can I have it with more water?

You want it lengthened without ordering a full американо — the barista tops the cup up with hot water.

Имате ли овесено мляко?

Imate li oveseno mlyako?

Do you have oat milk?

Ask before you order the drink. Oat milk is standard in Sofia specialty cafés and often missing in neighbourhood ones.

С овесено мляко, моля.

S oveseno mlyako, molya.

With oat milk, please.

The follow-up once you've named the drink — said right after 'едно капучино' so they don't steam the cow's milk first.

Имате ли бадемово мляко?

Imate li bademovo mlyako?

Do you have almond milk?

Almond is rarer here than oat — worth asking rather than assuming it's on the shelf.

Овесеното мляко с доплащане ли е?

Ovesenoto mlyako s doplashtane li e?

Is there a surcharge for oat milk?

Plant milk usually carries a small extra charge that isn't always on the board — this asks up front rather than being surprised at the till.

Може ли малко студено мляко отделно?

Mozhe li malko studeno mlyako otdelno?

Can I have a little cold milk on the side?

You want to lighten an espresso yourself — they'll bring a small jug or a portion pot on the saucer.

С една захар, моля.

S edna zahar, molya.

With one sugar, please.

The direct answer to 'със захар?'. Sugar is counted in sachets or spoons here — 'една захар' is one of them.

Захарта отделно, моля.

Zaharta otdelno, molya.

The sugar on the side, please.

You'd rather sweeten it yourself — they'll drop the sachets on the saucer instead of stirring it in.

Имате ли подсладител?

Imate li podsladitel?

Do you have sweetener?

Asking for sweetener instead of sugar — most places keep sachets behind the bar rather than on the table.

В картонена чаша, моля.

V kartonena chasha, molya.

In a paper cup, please.

Said as the barista reaches for a ceramic cup and you're actually leaving — more specific than 'за вкъщи'.

Може ли с капаче?

Mozhe li s kapache?

Can I have a lid?

They've handed you the to-go cup without a lid — 'капаче' is the everyday word for it.

Може ли в моята чаша?

Mozhe li v moyata chasha?

Can you put it in my own cup?

Handing over your reusable cup at the counter. Increasingly normal in Sofia and some places knock a little off the price for it.

Една баница, моля.

Edna banitsa, molya.

One banitsa, please.

The flaky cheese pastry that Bulgarians eat for breakfast with coffee — sold by the piece at the counter, so you just name how many.

Един кроасан с шоколад, моля.

Edin kroasan s shokolad, molya.

One chocolate croissant, please.

Pointing at the pastry case. Croissants here are usually filled — plain ones are the exception, not the default.

Може ли да го стоплите?

Mozhe li da go stoplite?

Can you warm it up?

You've picked a sandwich or a pastry out of the cold case and want it through the press or the oven first.

Кое е прясно днес?

Koe e pryasno dnes?

What's fresh today?

Late-afternoon pastry case — let the barista steer you to what actually came in this morning.

Две кафета, моля.

Dve kafeta, molya.

Two coffees, please.

Ordering for you and whoever you walked in with — 'кафета' is the plural of кафе.

Още едно същото, моля.

Oshte edno sashtoto, molya.

Another one of the same, please.

Second round at the same table or back at the counter — no need to name the drink again.

Едно кафе и едно капучино, моля.

Edno kafe i edno kapuchino, molya.

One coffee and one cappuccino, please.

Two different drinks in one breath — the normal way to order for two people at the counter.

Плащаме поотделно.

Plashtame pootdelno.

We're paying separately.

Say it before they ring the order up as one — afterwards, splitting it on the till is a nuisance for them.

Може ли да седна тук?

Mozhe li da sedna tuk?

May I sit here?

About to take a table, or asking the person already at a shared one. Formal 'вие' register, safe with anyone.

Ще го донесете ли на масата?

Shte go donesete li na masata?

Will you bring it to the table?

Some cafés run table service and some hand everything over the bar — this settles it instead of you hovering at the counter.

На бара ли се поръчва?

Na bara li se poruchva?

Do you order at the bar?

You've sat down and nobody has come over. The barista may also ask you the reverse — 'на бара или на маса?'

Всичко заедно, моля.

Vsichko zaedno, molya.

All together, please.

You're covering the whole order — the opposite answer to 'плащаме поотделно'.

Сега ли да платя?

Sega li da platya?

Should I pay now?

Some cafés take the money up front, others let you settle when you leave. Ask instead of standing at the till guessing.

Може ли безконтактно?

Mozhe li bezkontaktno?

Can I pay contactless?

Tapping a card or a phone. Terminals here handle it fine, but a very small place may still want the chip and PIN.

Задръжте рестото.

Zadrazhte restoto.

Keep the change.

Paying cash and rounding up — this is the everyday café tip in Bulgaria, said as you hand the note over.

Може ли касова бележка?

Mozhe li kasova belezhka?

Can I have a receipt?

Asking for the printed receipt when it isn't handed over — in bakery-style cafés it often carries the wifi password or the toilet code too.

Бакшишът включен ли е?

Bakshishat vklyuchen li e?

Is the tip included?

Table service in a café — service is normally not included in Bulgaria, so this tells you whether to leave something on the saucer.

Това е за вас.

Tova e za vas.

This is for you.

Pushing a coin or a small note across the counter. Formal 'вие' — with a barista you know well you'd say 'за теб' instead.

Може ли бакшиш с картата?

Mozhe li bakshish s kartata?

Can I add a tip on the card?

Many Bulgarian terminals have no tip prompt, so the honest answer is often no — keep a couple of coins if you want to tip.

Може ли чаша вода?

Mozhe li chasha voda?

Can I have a glass of water?

A small glass of water usually comes with an espresso here — this asks for it when it doesn't, or gets you a second one.

Негазирана, моля.

Negazirana, molya.

Still, please.

The answer when they ask 'газирана или негазирана?' — негазирана is still, газирана is sparkling.

Може ли чешмяна вода?

Mozhe li cheshmyana voda?

Can I have tap water?

Sofia tap water is good and free, but not every café offers it unprompted — ask politely rather than assuming.

Има ли Wi-Fi тук?

Ima li Wi-Fi tuk?

Is there wifi here?

Asked at the counter before you commit to a table with the laptop.

Каква е паролата за Wi-Fi?

Kakva e parolata za Wi-Fi?

What's the wifi password?

The follow-up once they've said yes. It's often printed on the receipt or on a card by the till, so glance there first.

Има ли контакт наблизо?

Ima li kontakt nablizo?

Is there a socket nearby?

Laptop on 12% — 'контакт' is the wall socket. Ask before you settle at a table with no power.

Свободно ли е?

Svobodno li e?

Is this free?

The standard two-word check before you sit down at an empty chair or a half-occupied table — heard constantly in busy Sofia cafés.

Може ли да седнем навън?

Mozhe li da sednem navan?

Can we sit outside?

Asking for the terrace. Outdoor tables are the default from spring to autumn and often have their own waiter.

Има ли маса на сянка?

Ima li masa na syanka?

Is there a table in the shade?

August on a terrace — asking for a shaded table instead of one in full sun.

Къде е тоалетната?

Kade e toaletnata?

Where is the toilet?

Asked at the counter. In some cafés the toilet is shared with the building and you have to ask for the key.

Има ли код за вратата?

Ima li kod za vratata?

Is there a code for the door?

The toilet door has a keypad — the code is usually printed at the bottom of your receipt.

Извинете, аз поръчах капучино.

Izvinete, az poruchah kapuchino.

Sorry, I ordered a cappuccino.

They've put the wrong drink in front of you. Naming what you actually ordered fixes it without any confrontation — swap in your drink.

Кафето е студено.

Kafeto e studeno.

The coffee is cold.

It arrived lukewarm. A flat statement is enough here — no need to soften it, they'll remake it.

Помолих без захар.

Pomolih bez zahar.

I asked for it without sugar.

It came sweetened. 'Помолих' (I asked) is the natural past form for this — it points at the mix-up, not at the person.

Може ли да го направите отново?

Mozhe li da go napravite otnovo?

Could you make it again?

The follow-up once you've said what's wrong — asks for a fresh one politely and in the formal register.

Как сте?

Kak ste?

How are you?

Formal 'вие' — the safe default with anyone behind a counter, whatever their age. Stay on it until they switch.

Как си?

Kak si?

How are you? (informal)

The 'ти' version. A young barista in a Sofia specialty café may open with 'ти' — only mirror it once they've used it with you, or once you're genuinely a regular.

Днес е много горещо, нали?

Dnes e mnogo goreshto, nali?

It's really hot today, isn't it?

Weather is the safe opener while your drink is being made — 'нали?' invites them to agree and keeps it going.

Както обикновено, моля.

Kakto obiknoveno, molya.

The usual, please.

You've been in enough times that the barista knows your drink — a small badge of belonging in your neighbourhood café.

За пръв път съм тук — какво ще ми препоръчате?

Za prav pat sam tuk — kakvo shte mi preporachate?

It's my first time here — what would you recommend?

New café and you don't know what they do well. Asking this in Bulgarian gets you a real answer rather than a finger pointed at the menu.

До утре!

Do utre!

See you tomorrow!

Leaving a café you go to every morning — the barista will say it straight back.

За тук или за вкъщи?

Za tuk ili za vkashti?

For here or to take away?

You hear this, you don't say it — the barista's first question after your order. Answer 'за тук' or 'за вкъщи'.

Със захар?

Sas zahar?

With sugar?

You hear this. Two words decide whether your coffee arrives sweet — answer 'без захар' or 'с една захар'.

Нещо друго?

Neshto drugo?

Anything else?

You hear this after your first item. Answer 'не, благодаря' or 'това е всичко' to close the order.

Малко или голямо?

Malko ili golyamo?

Small or large?

You hear this for milky drinks and американо. Answer малко, средно or голямо.

Плащането е на касата.

Plashtaneto e na kasata.

Payment is at the till.

You hear this in bakery-style cafés and food halls: you order at one counter and pay at a separate register before you collect the cup.

Заповядайте!

Zapovyadayte!

Here you are!

You hear this constantly — handing you the cup, the change, the receipt, or waving you to a table. It just means 'here you go / go ahead'; 'благодаря' is the whole reply.