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PlansAboutSupportRead Hebrew menu sections, extras, tips and the restaurant bill.
On the label or sign
ma-NA
US English
dish; serving; course, by context
UK English
dish; portion; course, by context
מָנָה is one ordered food unit. The word becomes a course label in מנה ראשונה and מנה עיקרית.
English portion is too narrow for many menu uses. On a menu, מָנָה usually means a dish.
Do not translate every מָנָה as portion; read the surrounding course words.
On the label or sign
risho-NOT / ma-NOT risho-NOT
US English
appetizers; starters
UK English
starters; first courses
ראשונות are dishes placed before the mains. The one word heading is a shortened plural of מנות ראשונות.
The literal translation firsts is not the English menu term. The category may include dishes designed for sharing.
Read ראשונות as appetizers or starters, and do not assume each diner must order one.
On the label or sign
pti-KHIM / pa-TI-akh la-shul-KHAN / nishnu-SHIM / ma-NOT bis
US English
opening bites; nibbles; snacks; bites
UK English
opening bites; nibbles; snacks; bites
פתיחים are small openers, often bread, dips, olives, or spicy condiments. נשנושים and מנות ביס are informal small plates often suited to drinks or sharing.
These headings can overlap with starters without being identical. A restaurant snack can be a cooked small plate.
Do not treat every opener as a formal first course or every נשנושים item as packaged snack food.
On the label or sign
ma-NOT bey-NA-yim
US English
intermediate plates; mid-course dishes
UK English
intermediate plates; middle course
מנות ביניים are dishes placed between other courses. The category is not universal, and serving size varies by restaurant.
The word ביניים describes position between courses. The word does not promise a medium portion size.
Do not read מנות ביניים as a guaranteed medium size.
On the label or sign
ika-ri-YOT / ma-NOT ika-ri-YOT
US English
entrées; mains; main courses
UK English
mains; main courses
עיקריות are the principal dishes. Israeli menus use both the short heading and the full form מנות עיקריות.
Entrée normally means a main dish in US English. Entrée can mean a dish before the main course in formal UK usage, so mains is clearer for a mixed audience.
Use mains or main courses when the audience includes British readers.
On the label or sign
to-SE-fet / to-sa-FOT
US English
side dish; side; add-on; extra
UK English
side dish; side; extra
תוספת as a food heading usually lists sides such as fries, mash, vegetables, or salad. The same word can also mark a priced add-on.
A heading points toward side dishes. Nearby ₪, +, תשלום, נוספת, or a separate amount points toward an extra charge.
Do not assume every תוספת is included or that every תוספת is a surcharge.
On the label or sign
is-KIT / is-ki-YOT
US English
lunch special; set lunch; prix-fixe lunch deal
UK English
set lunch; lunch deal
עסקית is a meal offer limited by time and commonly available on weekdays. A deal may bundle a starter, main, drink, or discount, but each restaurant sets the inclusions.
The literal phrase business meal does not describe one fixed national formula. Day, hour, holiday, and service format can affect availability.
Read the current bundle and service conditions instead of assuming every עסקית includes the same courses.
On the label or sign
ma-NOT yela-DIM / taf-RIT yela-DIM / aru-KHAT yela-DIM
US English
kids' meals; children's menu
UK English
children's meals; children's menu
These labels mark food or a bundle intended for children. ארוחת ילדים can name a bundled children's meal.
A listed meal may cover more than the main item. The bundle text may include a drink or dessert.
Do not assume מנה in a children's section means only the main item.
On the label or sign
kinu-KHIM
US English
desserts
UK English
desserts; puddings
קינוחים is the standard dessert heading. The section may follow the mains or appear on a separate menu.
Some venues may use a creative heading, but קינוחים is the dependable standard label.
Look for קינוחים instead of relying on the creative label אחרונות.
On the label or sign
shtee-YA ka-LA
US English
soft drinks; nonalcoholic drinks
UK English
soft drinks; nonalcoholic drinks
שתייה קלה is the soft drink category on a menu. A set lunch may include one שתייה קלה לבחירה.
The literal words mean light drinking, but the menu phrase says nothing about sugar or calories.
Do not read שתייה קלה as a low calorie drink.
On the label or sign
mu-GASH im / ma-GI-a im / ko-LEL / le-TSAD
US English
served with; comes with; includes; alongside
UK English
served with; comes with; includes; alongside
מוגש עם and מגיע עם describe what arrives with a dish. כולל explicitly means includes, while לצד describes food served alongside the main item.
לצד usually describes composition rather than a separate choice. None of these phrases promises that a replacement or second side is free.
Check nearby add-on wording before treating substitutions, upgrades, or second sides as included.
On the label or sign
liv-khi-RA / to-SE-fet liv-khi-RA
US English
choice of; side of your choice
UK English
choice of; side of your choice
לבחירה signals a choice among listed options. תוספת לבחירה usually means one side selected from a list.
Choice does not by itself mean included at no charge. Wording such as מוגש עם, כולל, or בתוספת תשלום controls the price meaning.
Do not order several sides because a list follows תוספת לבחירה.
On the label or sign
be-to-SE-fet
US English
with; accompanied by
UK English
with; accompanied by
בתוספת followed by food and no amount can describe an accompaniment. בתוספת סלט can mean with salad.
בתוספת does not always signal money. A dish sentence with food and no amount can describe what comes with the dish.
Do not automatically translate every בתוספת as for an extra charge.
On the label or sign
be-to-SE-fet / to-SE-fet no-SE-fet / to-sa-FOT be-tash-LUM
US English
additional charge; extra side; paid add-ons
UK English
extra charge; extra side; paid extras
בתוספת beside ₪, an amount, or + marks a surcharge. נוספת means additional, and בתשלום explicitly means for payment.
A base price does not cover separately priced ingredients or a premium group marked בתוספת תשלום.
Scan for ₪, numbers, +, תשלום, and נוספת before deciding that an option is included.
On the label or sign
she-RUT / ha-mekhi-RIM ey-NAM kol-LIM she-RUT / ha-she-RUT ey-NO ka-LUL
US English
service; service not included
UK English
service; service not included
שירות alone does not say whether an amount is included, voluntary, or compulsory. המחירים אינם כוללים שירות and השירות אינו כלול say that printed prices do not include a voluntary service tip.
A service not included notice does not authorize an undisclosed mandatory percentage. Ask האם השירות כלול? when the wording is unclear.
Read the full service sentence instead of treating שירות as a fixed percentage.
On the label or sign
dmei she-RUT / dmei avta-KHA
US English
service charge; security charge
UK English
service charge; security charge
דמי שירות is a charge for service, and דמי אבטחה is a security charge. Any charge that a customer cannot practically decline belongs in the displayed total price.
A compulsory charge is different from a voluntary tip. A surprise percentage added to lower menu prices is the consumer law problem.
Do not treat a mandatory charge and a voluntary tip as the same payment.
On the label or sign
TE-sher / tip / ef-SHAR le-ho-SIF tip ba-ash-RAI? / tip bim-zu-MAN
US English
tip; gratuity
UK English
tip; gratuity
תשר is the formal Hebrew term, and טיפ is the everyday word. Current guidance gives 10% to 15% for table service, with 12% to 15% described as usual in the current waiter guide; counter service tipping is optional.
A voluntary tip is separate from a compulsory service charge. Some restaurants support card tips, while others accept tips only in cash.
Ask אפשר להוסיף טיפ באשראי? before the card charge instead of assuming every terminal supports a tip.
On the label or sign
ko-LEL ma-AM / ha-mekhi-RIM kol-LIM ma-AM
US English
VAT included; tax included
UK English
VAT included
מע״מ means VAT. Israel's standard VAT rate has been 18% since 1 January 2025, and consumer prices must include taxes collected by the business.
An ordinary displayed restaurant price already includes VAT. A diner should not add 18% to the displayed price.
Do not apply the US sales tax habit and add VAT to a menu price.
On the label or sign
khesh-BON / khesh-BON, be-va-ka-SHA / ef-SHAR le-ka-BEL et ha-khesh-BON, be-va-ka-SHA?
US English
check; bill
UK English
bill
חֶשְׁבּוֹן is the amount due and the restaurant document before payment. חשבון, בבקשה is a short request, while אפשר לקבל את החשבון, בבקשה? is a complete polite request.
US speakers usually say check, while UK speakers say bill. A חשבון is not proof of payment.
Ask for חשבון when you want the amount due, not קבלה or צ׳ק.
On the label or sign
yesh ta-UT ba-khesh-BON / sakh ha-KOL / sakh ha-KOL le-tash-LUM
US English
mistake on the check; total due
UK English
mistake on the bill; total to pay
יש טעות בחשבון means that an item, quantity, or amount looks wrong. סה״כ and סך הכול לתשלום mark the total due.
The total should be checked against item lines and any clearly identified service line. VAT is already included in the consumer price.
Do not calculate VAT again when checking סה״כ.
On the label or sign
ef-SHAR le-sha-LEM? / ash-RAI / kar-TIS ash-RAI / me-zu-MAN
US English
Can we pay?; card; credit card; cash
UK English
Can we pay?; card; credit card; cash
אפשר לשלם? asks to start payment. באשראי means by card, and במזומן means in cash.
Asking for the bill does not specify a payment method or tip amount. Card acceptance for the meal does not guarantee that a tip can be added to the card.
State אשראי or מזומן when the payment method matters.
On the label or sign
ef-SHAR le-kha-LEK et ha-khesh-BON? / khesh-BON nif-RAD, be-va-ka-SHA / KHE-tsi KHE-tsi / be-YA-khad / be-nif-RAD
US English
split the check; separate checks
UK English
split the bill; separate bills
אפשר לחלק את החשבון? asks to divide payment. חשבון נפרד requests separate bills, while חצי חצי means an equal two way split.
Split alone does not tell staff whether to divide equally or charge each diner's items. ביחד means together, and בנפרד means separately.
Ask before payment and specify חצי חצי, individual items, or separate diners and cards.
On the label or sign
ka-ba-LA
US English
receipt
UK English
receipt
קַבָּלָה proves that the business received payment. A business must issue a receipt immediately upon receiving payment.
A receipt comes after payment. The unpaid restaurant bill is חשבון, not קבלה.
Do not call the unpaid restaurant bill a receipt.
On the label or sign
khesh-bo-NIT / khesh-bo-NIT mas
US English
invoice; tax invoice
UK English
invoice; VAT invoice; tax invoice
חֶשְׁבּוֹנִית is a billing or tax document, while חשבונית מס is a VAT document issued by an authorized business. The heading identifies the exact legal type.
An invoice is not the everyday restaurant bill request. A tax invoice is relevant for formal business expense documentation and does not automatically prove payment.
Do not ask אפשר חשבונית? when you only want the restaurant bill.
On the label or sign
khesh-bo-NIT mas ka-ba-LA / khesh-BON is-KA
US English
tax invoice/receipt; payment request
UK English
VAT invoice/receipt; request for payment
חשבונית מס/קבלה is one document combining a tax invoice and receipt, issued when payment is received. חשבון עסקה is a detailed demand for payment.
חשבון עסקה is not a statutory tax document and does not prove payment. The slash in חשבונית מס/קבלה joins two functions in one paid document.
Do not file חשבון עסקה as the final receipt for reimbursement or bookkeeping.
| You want | Look for or say | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer or starter | ראשונות / מנות ראשונותrisho-NOT / ma-NOT risho-NOT | Dishes before the mains |
| Main course | עיקריות / מנות עיקריותika-ri-YOT / ma-NOT ika-ri-YOT | The principal dishes |
| Side dish | תוספת / תוספותto-SE-fet / to-sa-FOT | A standalone heading usually means sides |
| Side of your choice | תוספת לבחירהto-SE-fet liv-khi-RA | Usually choose one from a list |
| Extra charge | בתוספת / תוספות בתשלוםbe-to-SE-fet / to-sa-FOT be-tash-LUM | Check for ₪, an amount, +, תשלום, or נוספת |
| Restaurant check or bill | חשבון, בבקשהkhesh-BON, be-va-ka-SHA | The amount due before payment |
| Receipt | קבלהka-ba-LA | Proof that payment was received |
| Tax invoice and receipt | חשבונית מס/קבלהkhesh-bo-NIT mas ka-ba-LA | One combined document after payment |
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By the baba team. Checked on against 45 sources, mostly Israeli retailers, manufacturers and government pages, and updated . Products, labels and rules change, so check the pack or the office before you rely on a detail. Our methodology.
ראשונות is the shortened heading for מנות ראשונות. The closest US terms are appetizers or starters, while the usual UK term is starters.
עיקריות are the principal dishes. Entrées works in US English, while mains or main courses is clearer for UK readers and mixed audiences.
No. בתוספת followed by food and no amount can mean with or accompanied by. A ₪ sign, number, +, תשלום, נוספת, or separately priced ingredient points to an extra charge.
A voluntary tip is separate from a compulsory service charge. Any unavoidable charge belongs in the displayed total price. Current guidance gives 10% to 15% for table service, and card tip support varies by restaurant.
Say אפשר לקבל את החשבון, בבקשה? for the bill or check. Ask for קבלה after payment, or ask for חשבונית מס/קבלה when a combined tax invoice and receipt is needed.
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