Listening and Speaking A1: Ordering Food in a Restaurant

Going out to eat is a fun way to practice English. In this lesson, you’ll learn essential vocabulary and expressions for ordering food at a restaurant. Let’s begin! 🍽️

🍽️ Vocabulary for Ordering Food

Learn these basic words and phrases for dining out. Listen and repeat! 🗣️

🍴 Restaurant Vocabulary:

🏢 Restaurant – A place where you eat meals.
📜 Menu – A list of food and drinks available.
👨‍💼 Waiter / 👩‍💼 Waitress – The person who serves you food.
🪑 Table – The place where you sit to eat.
📅 Reservation – An arrangement to have a table at a certain time.
📝 Order – To ask for food and drinks.
🍤 Appetizer – A small dish served before the main meal.
🍛 Main Course – The primary dish of a meal.
🍰 Dessert – A sweet dish served after the meal.
🥤 Drink – A beverage such as water, soda, or coffee.
💵 Bill / Check – The statement of the amount to pay.
💰 Tip – Extra money given for good service.
⭐ Specials – Daily offers or featured dishes.
🥡 To-go / Takeaway – Food ordered to eat elsewhere.
🍽️ Buffet – A style of serving food where you help yourself.

🍽️ Food Categories:

🥗 Salads – Fresh mixed vegetables with dressing.
🍕 Pizza – Baked dough with cheese, tomato sauce, and toppings.
🍔 Burgers – Sandwiches with meat or veggie patties.
🍝 Pasta – Noodles served with various sauces.
🥘 Stews – Slow-cooked dishes with meat and vegetables.
🍣 Sushi – Rice with fish or vegetables, often wrapped in seaweed.
🥪 Sandwiches – Food served between slices of bread.

🥤 Beverages:

💧 Water – Still or sparkling water.
☕ Coffee – Hot brewed coffee.
🍵 Tea – Hot or iced tea.
🥤 Soft Drinks – Carbonated beverages like cola.
🍹 Juice – Fresh fruit juice.
🥛 Milkshake – A blended drink with milk and ice cream.

🍰 Desserts:

🍰 Cake – A sweet baked dessert, often with frosting.
🍮 Pudding – A creamy dessert.
🍦 Ice Cream – A cold, sweet frozen dessert.
🍪 Cookies – Small, baked, sweet treats.
🥧 Pie – A baked dish with a filling inside a crust.

💬 Common Phrases and Expressions:

“Can I see the menu, please?” – Asking to view the food list. 🍽️
“I would like to order, please.” – Indicating you are ready to order. 🗣️
“Could you recommend a dish?” – Asking for a suggestion. 🤔
“Can I have a glass of water, please?” – Requesting water. 💧
“What is the soup of the day?” – Inquiring about today’s special soup. 🍲
“I’ll have the [dish name].” – Telling the waiter what you want to order. 🍛
“Could we have the bill, please?” – Asking for the check when finished. 💵
“Thank you for your service!” – Expressing gratitude. 🙏
“Excuse me, where is the restroom?” – Asking for directions. 🚻
“Is this dish spicy?” – Asking about the flavor. 🌶️
“I would like my food to go, please.” – Indicating you want takeout. 🥡
“I would like to order the [dish name], please.” – Stating your order clearly.
“Could you please recommend a popular dish?” – Asking for suggestions.
“Is there any special on today?” – Inquiring about daily specials.
“Can I have extra [ingredient]?” – Requesting an addition or modification.
“Could you please repeat my order?” – Confirming what you ordered.

🎧 Real-Life Dialogues: Ordering Food in a Restaurant

Here are 10 dialogues to help you practice ordering food and other restaurant conversations. Try practicing both roles! 🗣️

🗣️ Dialogue 1: Making a Reservation

Customer: Hello, I would like to make a reservation for two at 7:00 PM.
Receptionist: Hello! Yes, we have a table available at 7:00 PM.
Customer: Great, can I have a window seat, please?
Receptionist: Certainly. Your reservation is confirmed for two at 7:00 PM by the window.
Customer: Thank you very much.

🗣️ Dialogue 2: Asking for the Menu

Customer: Excuse me, can I see the menu, please?
Waitress: Of course. Here is our menu.
Customer: Thank you. I will take a look.

🗣️ Dialogue 3: Ordering Appetizer and Main Course

Customer: I would like to order an appetizer and a main course.
Waiter: Sure. What would you like for your appetizer?
Customer: I’ll have a small salad, please.
Waiter: And for your main course?
Customer: I would like the grilled chicken with vegetables.
Waiter: Excellent choice. I will put that in for you.

🗣️ Dialogue 4: Asking for a Recommendation

Customer: Can you recommend a dish?
Waiter: Yes, our seafood pasta is very popular.
Customer: That sounds good. I will try the seafood pasta, please.
Waiter: Excellent. I will note that down.

🗣️ Dialogue 5: Confirming the Order

Waiter: So, you would like a salad, grilled chicken with vegetables, and the seafood pasta.
Customer: Yes, that is correct.
Waiter: Great, your order will be ready soon.

🗣️ Dialogue 6: Requesting Special Dietary Needs

Customer: Excuse me, I am allergic to nuts. Can you please make sure there are no nuts in my dish?
Waiter: Certainly. We will prepare your food without nuts.
Customer: Thank you very much.

🗣️ Dialogue 7: Ordering Drinks

Customer: Could I have a glass of water and a cup of coffee, please?
Waiter: Yes, one water and one coffee. Anything else?
Customer: No, that is all for now. Thank you.

🗣️ Dialogue 8: Asking about the Specials

Customer: What are today’s specials?
Waiter: Today, we have a special offer on our seafood soup and steak.
Customer: That sounds interesting. I might order the seafood soup as an appetizer.

🗣️ Dialogue 9: Asking for the Bill

Customer: Excuse me, could we have the bill, please?
Waiter: Sure, I will bring the bill right away.
Customer: Thank you.

🗣️ Dialogue 10: Expressing Gratitude and Saying Goodbye

Customer: Thank you for the delicious meal and great service!
Waiter: You’re very welcome. We hope to see you again soon.
Customer: I will definitely come back. Goodbye!
Waiter: Goodbye and have a wonderful day!