Hello everyone,
Going to restaurants can be an enjoyable experience, but it can also be stressful if you don’t know the right English phrases to use.
Whether you’re traveling abroad or just want to feel more confident dining out, learning some key restaurant vocabulary and expressions will help tremendously.
This guide will teach you all the essential English phrases you need to know for a smooth restaurant experience from start to finish.
Greeting the Host/Hostess
When you first arrive at a restaurant, you’ll need to let the host or hostess know you’re there for a table.
Here are some polite greetings you can use:
“Hello, table for two (three, four, etc.) please.”
“Good evening, we have a reservation under the name Smith.”
“Hi there, do you have any availability for a party of 4?”
Making Requests
Once you’re seated, your server will likely ask if you need anything to start. This is a good time to make any initial requests like:
“Can I get a glass of water please?”
“Could we have some extra napkins?”
“Do you have high chairs for children?”
Ordering Food & Drinks
When you’re ready to order, your server will ask “Are you ready to order?” or “What can I get for you today?”
Here are some useful phrases:
“I’ll have the chicken Caesar salad please.”
“Can I get the burger with fries?”
“I’d like to start with the tomato soup.”
“My friend/husband/etc will have the pasta primavera.”
If you need more time:
“Could I have a couple more minutes please?”
Special Requests:
“Could I substitute the fries for a side salad?”
“Can you leave off the onions/cheese/etc?”
“How spicy is the curry? Mild please.”
For drinks:
“I’ll have an iced tea/Coke/beer please.”
“Could I see the wine list?”
Checking on Food Progress
Sometimes your food takes longer than expected.
You can politely ask:
“Excuse me, we’ve been waiting quite a while for our food. Could you check on that for us?”
Complimenting or Criticizing Food
When your food arrives, it’s common to offer a quick compliment or critique:
“This looks delicious!”
“The presentation is beautiful.”
“The seasoning is a bit salty/bland for my taste.”
If there’s a major issue:
“Excuse me, I’m afraid there’s something wrong with this dish…”
Asking for To-Go Boxes
At the end of the meal, you may want containers for leftovers:
“Could we get some boxes for these please?”
Ordering Dessert & Coffee
Some common dessert and coffee orders:
“Can we see the dessert menu?”
“I’ll have the cheesecake.”
“Just a coffee for me please, black.”
“We’re all set, just the check please.”
Paying the Bill
When it’s time to pay, there are a few key phrases:
“We’ll take the check/bill please.”
“Separate checks please.”
“Can I pay with a credit card?”
Tipping:
“That’s perfect, you can keep the change.”
“Let me get (15, 18, 20) percent added for the tip.”
Thanking & Saying Goodbye
Before leaving, it’s polite to thank your server:
“Thank you, the service was great.”
“Thanks so much, we really enjoyed our meal.”
“Have a nice evening!”
Making Complaints & Giving Feedback
If something wasn’t satisfactory, you can politely make a complaint:
“Excuse me, I wanted to mention that our server seemed quite rushed tonight.”
“I’m afraid I can’t recommend this dish – the quality wasn’t up to par.”
But don’t forget to give positive feedback too:
“We’d like to compliment the chef – every dish was excellent.”
“Our server Michelle went above and beyond tonight.”
Using these simple English phrases will help you communicate clearly and confidently at any restaurant.
With the right words, you can ensure a pleasant dining experience whether traveling or going out locally.
Practice these expressions and you’ll be mastering English restaurant lingo in no time!
