SPOKEN ENGLISH: Order at restaurant

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People worldwide eat often in a restaurant. If you are in a foreign country you need to learn how to order food and drinks.

Take your cup of coffee and let’s start!

First, you want to make sure you have a booked table in a restaurant.
You will next phrases:
Hi, I would like to book a table for two.
Or you can say:
I would like to make a reservation.
The waiter will ask:
Of course, what date and time?
On Friday the 18th, at 7 PM.

When you have a booked table you need to make an order.
The waiter might ask “Would you like to start with a drink?” and you can reply “Yes, we’d like (a type of drink) while we decide on our food.
” If you order a bottle of wine, the waiter might ask “Would you like to taste the wine?” when he opens the bottle for you.
If you like it, you can reply “Yes, that’s fine.”

Questions you can ask a waiter:
Could I have a menu, please?
Do you have anything local?
Do you have any drink specials?
How much is a bottle of champagne?
May I also have a glass of water?
Can I have another beer, please?
Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
Can I order two cocktails?
Can I order a coffee with whipped cream?
Can I get a napkin, please?

Leaving a tip:
You don’t need to say anything when you leave a tip to a waiter. You can just leave the money on the bar or table.
Sometimes there is a cup marked “Tips” to put money in.
If the waiter comes back with your change, you can say: “That’s okay/fine” or “That’s for you.
A tip is usually about 15-20% of the price of the drink or bill.

If you are ready to order the waiter will ask you:
Are you ready to order?
Can I take your order?
You can answer:

For the main course, I would like chicken, rice, and a bowl of salad.
For dessert, I would like a coconut ice cream.
Do you serve coffee here?
Yes, we do. Which coffee would you like?
Do you have a cappuccino?
Yes, we have.
Then I will take cappuccino and orange juice.

You can also ask a waiter “What would you recommend me for the main course”?
“What are the specialties?”
Do you serve alcoholic drinks?
If you have an allergy on certain food you can ask:
Does this contain meat/peanuts/dairy?

When you need to pay a bill you can ask:
Can we have the bill, please?
Can I pay with cash?
Can I pay with a credit card?

At the restaurant

Waiter: Hi. How are you doing this evening?

Customer: Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please?

Waiter: Certainly, here you are.

Customer: Thank you. What’s today’s special?

Waiter: Marinated beef with mushrooms.

Customer: That sounds good. I’ll have that.

Waitperson: Would you like something to drink?

Customer: Yes, I’d like a glass of red wine.

Waitperson: Thank you. Here you are. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you.

Waitperson: Can I get you anything else?

Customer: No thanks. I’d like the check, please.

Waitperson: That’ll be 22 dollars.

Customer: Here you are. Keep the change!

Waitperson: Thank you! Have a good day!

Customer: Goodbye.

Homework: Write a dialogue(waiter-customer) and order your favorite food.