der Kellner

“Kellner” refers to a male server in a restaurant or café who takes orders and serves food and drinks. The feminine form is “die Kellnerin.” The word originates from Middle High German kelnære, derived from Latin cellarius, meaning cellar master — someone who managed provisions. Today, it's widely used in both casual and formal dining contexts. In more modern or inclusive German, especially in hospitality job ads, the term Servicekraft (service staff) or Servicepersonal (service personnel) may be used instead.