At a café
Listen to each side. Practise your reply.
The thing that trips up every newcomer: at a quick South Indian café you pay at the counter first, take the token, then collect at the window. Ordering at the serving window confuses everyone.
You might say…
Coffee comes at the end here, not with the meal.
Choose a reply to explore that conversation.
Your challenge Order breakfast at a café A quick South Indian café: token, counter, masala dosa, coffee at the end. Take the challenge About this conversation
Need to say “Where do I pay?” in Kannada? Here is the whole conversation with the staff — what you say and what you'll hear back — with clear audio for every line and easy Roman spelling, so you can handle it in person.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “Where do I pay?” in Kannada?
“Payment elli madbeku”. Tap the play button to hear it said clearly, then repeat it a few times out loud.
Will people in Bangalore understand these phrases?
Yes. These are everyday spoken phrases used across Bengaluru, written the way people actually say them. Even a little Kannada is appreciated and usually gets a warmer, more helpful response.
Do I need to read the Kannada script?
No. Every phrase is written in simple Roman letters so you can read it and say it right away — and each one has audio, slow and at normal speed.
