Daily English Day 11: Ordering Food at a Restaurant

Eating out is a common and enjoyable experience, whether you’re traveling abroad, living in a new country, or simply practicing English. Being able to confidently order food at a restaurant is a valuable everyday skill. In this lesson, we’ll explore the vocabulary, phrases, cultural tips, and sample dialogues that will help you feel comfortable when dining out.

Why This Lesson Matters

Ordering food at a restaurant involves more than just saying what you want. You need to:

• Greet the waiter or waitress politely.

• Understand the menu (starters, main courses, sides, desserts, drinks).

• Ask about ingredients or special requests.

• Order your meal clearly.

• Handle the bill (check) and payment.

By mastering these skills, you’ll be able to enjoy meals in English-speaking environments without stress.

Key Vocabulary

People and Roles

• Waiter/Waitress (Server) – the person who takes your order.

• Host/Hostess – the person who welcomes you at the entrance.

• Customer/Guest – you.

Menu Sections

• Appetizer / Starter

• Main course / Entrée

• Side dish

• Dessert

• Beverage / Drink

• Specials (daily offers)

Useful Words

• Reservation – booking a table ahead of time.

• Menu – the list of available food and drinks.

• Bill / Check – the list of items you ordered and the price.

• Tip – extra money you leave for good service.

Useful Phrases

At the Entrance

• “I’d like a table for two, please.”

• “Do you have a reservation?” → “Yes, it’s under [your name].” / “No, we don’t.”

• “Can we sit by the window?”

Looking at the Menu

• “Could I see the menu, please?”

• “What do you recommend?”

• “Are there any specials today?”

• “Does this dish contain nuts/dairy/gluten?”

• “Can I have this without onions?”

Ordering Food

• “I’ll have the chicken soup to start.”

• “For my main course, I’d like the grilled salmon.”

• “Could I get a side of fries, please?”

• “Can I have the steak medium rare?”

• “I’ll take the same.”

Ordering Drinks

• “Could I have a glass of water, please?”

• “I’d like a coffee/tea/juice.”

• “Can I see the wine list?”

During the Meal

• “Excuse me, could we get some extra napkins?”

• “This isn’t what I ordered.”

• “Could we have some more bread?”

Asking for the Bill

• “Could we have the check, please?”

• “Is service included?”

• “Can I pay by card?”

• “We’ll split the bill.” / “Let’s pay separately.”

Cultural Notes

• In the US, it’s common to tip 15–20% of the bill.

• In the UK, service charge may be included, but tipping is still polite.

• In some Asian countries, tipping is not expected.

• Politeness matters: saying “please” and “thank you” makes a big difference.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Saying only “Give me…” – This sounds rude. Use “Could I have…” instead.

2. Forgetting to specify how you want your food cooked (especially with meat).

3. Not checking if the bill includes tax or service charge.

Dialogue Example

At the entrance:

• Host: “Good evening. Do you have a reservation?”

• Customer: “No, we don’t. Could we get a table for two, please?”

• Host: “Of course. This way, please.”

At the table:

• Waiter: “Here are your menus. Can I get you something to drink?”

• Customer A: “I’ll have a glass of water, please.”

• Customer B: “Can I get an orange juice?”

• Waiter: “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

Later, ordering food:

• Waiter: “Are you ready to order?”

• Customer A: “Yes, I’ll have the Caesar salad to start and the grilled salmon as my main.”

• Customer B: “I’ll take the tomato soup and the steak, medium rare, please.”

• Waiter: “Excellent. Would you like any sides?”

• Customer B: “Yes, fries, please.”

After the meal:

• Waiter: “How was everything?”

• Customer A: “Delicious, thank you.”

• Customer B: “Very good. Could we have the check, please?”

• Waiter: “Of course. Here you go.”

• Customer A: “Do you take credit cards?”

• Waiter: “Yes, we do.”

• Customer B: “Perfect. We’ll pay together.”

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

1. “Could I have a ___ of water, please?” (glass)

2. “For my ___ course, I’d like the pasta.” (main)

3. “Can we get the ___, please?” (check/bill)

Exercise 2: Role Play

Practice with a friend. One person is the waiter, the other is the customer. Use at least three polite phrases.

Exercise 3: Rewrite Politely

Change these into polite requests:

• “Give me a beer.” → “Could I have a beer, please?”

• “Bring me more bread.” → “Could we have some more bread, please?”

Tips for Fluency

• Always start with “I’d like…” or “Could I have…” instead of direct commands.

• Learn food-related vocabulary in English (fish, chicken, beef, vegetarian).

• Listen carefully to the waiter’s questions; they may ask “How would you like it cooked?” or “Would you like anything else?”

• Practice role-play conversations before visiting a restaurant.

Conclusion

Ordering food at a restaurant in English is a combination of vocabulary, politeness, and confidence. With these phrases and examples, you’ll be able to order smoothly, ask for modifications, and enjoy your dining experience. Remember to practice with a partner, and soon it will feel natural.

What essential vocabulary should I know before eating out?

Start with the basics: host/hostess (greets you at the entrance), server/waiter/waitress (takes your order), reservation (booking a table), menu (list of dishes), appetizer/starter, main/entrée, side, dessert, specials (daily offers), bill/check, and tip/service charge. Verbs you will use include order, recommend, substitute, allergies, split, and box to go.

How do I ask for a table and confirm a reservation?

Use polite, direct language. Say, “Good evening. I have a reservation under [Name].” If you don’t have one: “Hi! A table for two, please.” If there is a wait: “How long is the wait?” and “Could you put my name on the list?” To confirm a time: “We’re okay with a bar seat while we wait.”

How do I request a specific seat?

Be friendly and flexible: “Could we sit by the window, please?” or “Is there a quiet table available?” If it’s not possible, the host may offer alternatives. You can respond: “That’s fine, we don’t mind the patio.”

How do I read a menu and ask for recommendations?

Scan the sections first: starters, mains, sides, desserts, and drinks. Ask: “What do you recommend for something light?” or “What are today’s specials?” If you’re unsure about a dish: “Could you describe the grilled salmon?” or “Is it spicy?”

How do I ask about allergens or ingredients?

State your needs clearly and early: “I have a nut allergy. Does the pesto contain nuts?” “Is the soup dairy-free?” If you’re extremely sensitive: “Could you please check with the kitchen?” When in doubt, choose simpler dishes and confirm again when ordering.

How do I customize or substitute items politely?

Most restaurants allow simple changes. Say, “Could I have the burger without onions?” “Can I substitute salad for fries?” “Is it possible to add an extra egg?” If there’s an extra charge: “That’s okay.” If not possible: “No problem, I’ll keep it as is.”

How do I order appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts clearly?

Order in the sequence the server expects. For example: “To start, I’ll have the tomato soup. For my main, the grilled chicken with a side of rice. We’ll share the chocolate cake for dessert.” If you want items to arrive together: “Could you please bring all dishes at the same time?”

How can I order drinks and ask for refills?

Use simple phrases: “Still water, please.” “Could I have a fresh orange juice?” For coffee or tea: “With milk, no sugar.” For refills: “Could I get a refill on my iced tea?” or “More hot water for the tea, please.”

How do I specify doneness for meat and cooking preferences?

Common steak doneness: rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done. You can say, “Medium-rare, please.” For eggs: scrambled, fried over-easy/over-medium/over-hard, sunny-side up, poached. For pasta: “Al dente, please.” If you need less salt or oil: “Light on the salt/oil, please.”

How do I handle misunderstandings or a wrong order?

Stay calm and polite. “Excuse me, I ordered the vegetarian curry, but this has chicken. Could you please change it?” Most restaurants will correct the issue quickly. If you need the manager: “May I speak with the manager, please?”

What polite phrases should I use during the meal?

• Excuse me, could we have some extra napkins?
• May we have more bread/water?
• Everything is great, thank you.
• Could you please clear these plates?
• Could we have a few more minutes before we order?

How do I ask for the check and payment options?

Say, “Could we have the check, please?” or “We’re ready for the bill.” To ask about payment: “Do you accept credit cards?” “Is contactless payment okay?” If you need an itemized bill: “Could we get an itemized check?”

How do we split the bill or pay separately?

Clarify early: “We’d like to split the bill evenly, please.” or “We’ll pay separately: the pasta and salad together, and the steak on a different check.” Some places may limit splits; if so, ask for an itemized check and do the math at the table.

Is tipping required, and how much should I tip?

It depends on the country. In the United States and Canada, 15–20% of the pre-tax total is common for good service. In many European countries, a service charge may be included, and tipping becomes smaller (rounding up or adding a few extra euros). In some Asian countries, tipping is not expected. When unsure, ask: “Is service included?”

What if the service charge is already included?

Check the bill for a line like “service charge,” “service compris,” or “servizio.” If included, additional tipping is optional. If service was exceptional, leaving a small extra amount is still appreciated in some places. You can say at payment, “Service is included, right?”

How do I complain politely about cold food or delays?

Be specific and calm. “Sorry to bother you—my soup is cold. Could you please warm it up?” For delays: “Could you please check on our order? We’ve been waiting about 25 minutes.” Give the staff a chance to fix the problem before escalating.

What can I say if the food is too salty/spicy/undercooked?

Offer clear feedback and a request: “The curry is a bit too spicy for me. Could you make it milder?” “The steak is undercooked; I ordered medium. Could you cook it a little more?” Most kitchens will adjust or replace the dish.

How do I ask for leftovers to be packed to go?

Simple phrases work: “Could we have a box to go?” or “Can you pack this to take away?” In some places, the server will pack it; in others, they’ll bring a container. Be mindful of food safety—refrigerate leftovers soon if possible.

How do I order for delivery or takeout on the phone?

Prepare your order and address first. Start with: “Hi, I’d like to place a takeout/delivery order.” Then list items clearly with quantities and options: “Two chicken burritos, no cheese; one large salad with extra dressing; and one bottle of water.” Confirm the price and pickup time or delivery estimate, then repeat your name and phone number.

How do I handle dietary preferences such as vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher?

State your preference upfront: “I’m vegetarian. Which dishes are suitable?” “Do you have vegan options?” For religious requirements: “Is this halal/kosher certified?” If the staff is unsure, ask them to check with the kitchen. Consider simple, clearly plant-based options if labeling is unclear.

What if the restaurant is busy and there is a waitlist?

Ask for the estimate: “How long is the wait for two?” Provide your name and number if they text guests. If time is tight, ask, “Is bar seating or the patio available sooner?” Decide quickly whether to wait or try a nearby option.

How do I make a reservation by phone or online?

On the phone: “Hello, I’d like to make a reservation for four at 7:30 p.m. this Friday under [Name]. Do you have any dietary accommodations?” Confirm details: date, time, number of guests, and special requests (high chair, quiet table). Online systems often allow notes; write concise requests like “Window seat if possible.”

How do I ask about portion sizes and sharing plates?

To avoid ordering too much or too little: “Are the portions large?” “Is the paella enough for two?” If you plan to share: “We’d like to share the salad and pasta. Can we have extra plates?” Many restaurants are happy to provide share plates.

What phrases help me manage timing—starters first, mains later?

Explain your plan: “We’ll share the appetizer first and then have the mains afterward.” If you’re in a hurry: “We’re short on time. Could you bring everything as soon as it’s ready?” For a slow meal: “No rush on the mains; we’re enjoying the starters.”

How do I respond when the server checks in (“How’s everything?”)?

Give quick, useful feedback: “Everything is great, thank you.” “It’s a little salty for me—could I have a lemon wedge?” “We’re still waiting for the fries; could you check?” This helps the staff improve your experience in real time.

What are common mistakes to avoid when ordering?

• Using commands like “Give me” instead of “Could I have.”
• Not mentioning allergies or preferences until after the food arrives.
• Forgetting to specify doneness for meat or sweetness/spice levels.
• Assuming service charge is included; always check.
• Speaking too fast or too quietly in a busy restaurant—be clear and polite.

Can you give quick templates I can copy for real situations?

Arriving: “Hi, table for two, please. No reservation.” / “Reservation for [Name] at 7 p.m.”

Asking for recommendations: “What do you recommend that’s not too heavy?”

Allergies: “I’m allergic to nuts. Is the sauce nut-free?”

Ordering: “To start, the soup. For my main, the grilled salmon, no onions, with salad instead of fries.”

Drinks: “Still water and an iced tea, please.”

Fixing a mistake: “Sorry, I ordered medium-rare, but this is well-done. Could you remake it?”

Check & payment: “Could we have the check, please? Do you take cards? We’ll pay separately.”

How can I sound extra polite and natural in English?

Use softeners like please, could, and would. Add gratitude: “Thank you so much,” “That would be great.” Show flexibility: “If that’s not possible, no problem.” Smile and keep your tone friendly; your voice can communicate respect even more than the words.

What should I say if the restaurant cannot meet my request?

Accept alternatives gracefully: “Thanks for checking. In that case, I’ll have the veggie pasta as listed.” If you must decline: “Thanks anyway—we’ll come back another time.” Staying polite keeps the interaction positive and stress-free.

Any final tips for success when ordering food in English?

Decide your dish before the server arrives, speak clearly, and confirm important details (allergies, substitutions, doneness). Listen to follow-up questions—servers often need to clarify sides or sauces. Finally, close with appreciation: “Everything was excellent—thank you for the great service.” Consistent politeness and clear requests will help you enjoy any dining experience with confidence.

Daily English Guide for Beginners: Speak with Confidence Every Day