English at the Restaurant
How to order food in English at a restaurant, from reading the menu to asking for the bill, with polite and easy phrases.
The lesson
Getting a table
When you arrive, you can say: A table for two, please. The host may ask: Do you have a reservation? You can answer: Yes, under the name Kiora. or No, we do not. Is there a table free? Simple and polite is all you need.
Ordering your food
The most useful phrases are: Could I have the menu, please? I'll have the chicken. Can I get a salad? Use I'll have... and Could I have...? to sound polite. To ask for advice: What do you recommend?
During the meal
If you need something: Could I have some water, please? To check a dish: Does it come with fries? If there is a problem, stay polite: Excuse me, this is not what I ordered. A smile and please go a long way.
Paying the bill
At the end, ask: Could we have the bill, please? In American English people often say the check. To pay you can ask: Can I pay by card? In the US it is normal to leave a tip, often around fifteen to twenty percent.
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Key vocabulary
menu
/ˈmɛnjuː/the list of food and drinks you can order
“Could I have the menu, please?”
Traduction
le menu, la carte
starter / appetizer
/ˈstɑːrtər/a small dish before the main course
“I'll have the soup as a starter.”
Traduction
une entrée
main course
/meɪn kɔːrs/the biggest, central dish of the meal
“For my main course, I'll have the fish.”
Traduction
le plat principal
the bill / the check
/ðə bɪl/the paper that shows how much you must pay
“Could we have the check, please?”
Traduction
l'addition
to recommend
/ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/to suggest something as a good choice
“What do you recommend?”
Traduction
recommander
server / waiter
/ˈsɜːrvər/the person who brings your food
“The server was very friendly.”
Traduction
le serveur / la serveuse
reservation
/ˌrɛzərˈveɪʃən/a table booked in advance
“I have a reservation for two.”
Traduction
une réservation
Test yourself
1. How do you politely ask for the menu?
2. In American English, 'the bill' is often called:
3. To ask for advice on a dish, you say:
4. A small dish before the main course is a:
5. Complete: "I ___ have the chicken, please."