Spoken English Conversation: Ordering Food in A Restaurant

Ordering food in a restaurant is one of the most common real-life situations where people need to speak English. Customers usually talk to the waiter about the menu, food preferences, prices, special requests, and the bill. Knowing how to order food politely and clearly helps people feel confident while eating out. For English learners, this is an essential topic for practicing practical and everyday spoken English.

Spoken English Conversation: Ordering Food in a Restaurant helps learners speak confidently in restaurant situations. These conversations include asking for the menu, ordering food and drinks, requesting changes, talking about taste, and asking for the bill. The language is simple, polite, and suitable for beginners to intermediate learners.

By practicing these conversations, learners can improve speaking fluency, learn useful restaurant-related vocabulary, and communicate comfortably while dining out. This topic is especially helpful for ESL learners, students, tourists, and professionals who want to improve daily-use spoken English for real-life situations.

This topic is part of our English Dialogues for English learners.

Spoken English Conversation: Ordering Food in A Restaurant

Waiter: Good evening! Welcome to Delicious Bites. Do you have a reservation?

Customer: Hi there! No, we don’t. Just two of us tonight.

Waiter: No problem at all. Right this way, please. Here are your menus. Can I get you started with some drinks?

Customer: Yes, please. I’ll have a glass of water with lemon, and my friend will have a cola.

Waiter: Great choices. I’ll be back shortly with your drinks. Have you had a chance to look over the menu?

Customer: Yes, we have. Everything looks so good, it’s hard to decide!

Waiter: I understand. Do you need any recommendations or have any questions about the menu?

Customer: Actually, yes. What do you suggest for a vegetarian option?

Waiter: Our vegetable stir-fry is quite popular and very tasty. It comes with a side of rice or noodles. Would you like that?

Customer: That sounds perfect. I’ll have the vegetable stir-fry with rice, please.

Waiter: Excellent choice. And for you, sir?

Customer’s Friend: I think I’ll go with the grilled chicken breast with mashed potatoes, please.

Waiter: Sounds delicious. Any sauces or dressings for your dishes?

Customer: Yes, could I have some soy sauce on the side for my stir-fry, please?

Waiter: Of course. And for the chicken?

Customer’s Friend: Just some gravy on the side, please.

Waiter: Got it. I’ll get your orders in right away. Your drinks will be out shortly. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you so much!

Waiter: My pleasure. If you need anything else, just let me know.

Customer: Will do. Thanks again!

Spoken English Conversation: Ordering Food in A Restaurant

Waiter: Good evening! Welcome to Bella Italia. How many are in your party?

Customer: Hi! It’s just me tonight.

Waiter: Wonderful, right this way. Here’s your menu. Can I start you off with something to drink?

Customer: Yes, I’ll have a glass of the house red wine, please.

Waiter: Excellent choice. Our house red pairs nicely with many of our dishes. I’ll be right back with your drink. Have you had a chance to look over the menu?

Customer: Yes, I have. Everything looks so appetizing!

Waiter: It certainly is a tough choice with so many delicious options. Do you need any recommendations?

Customer: Actually, yes. What’s your most popular pasta dish?

Waiter: Our classic spaghetti carbonara is always a hit. It’s rich, creamy, and flavorful. Would you like to try that?

Customer: That sounds fantastic! I’ll have the spaghetti carbonara, please.

Waiter: Excellent choice. And would you like any additional toppings or sides with that?

Customer: No, thank you. That will be perfect as it is.

Waiter: Great. I’ll get that order in for you right away. Your wine will be out shortly. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you so much!

Waiter: My pleasure. If you need anything else or have any other questions, just let me know.

Customer: Will do. Thanks again!

Customer: Hi! It’s just my family of four.

Waiter: Wonderful, please follow me to your table. Here are your menus. Can I start you off with some drinks?

Customer: Yes, please. We’ll have two mango lassis and two glasses of water, please.

Waiter: Great choice! I’ll bring those right over. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?

Customer: Yes, we have. Everything sounds so flavorful!

Waiter: It certainly is! Do you need any recommendations?

Customer: Actually, yes. What’s your chef’s special tonight?

Waiter: Our chef’s special is the chicken tikka masala. It’s creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious. Would you like to give it a try?

Customer: That sounds amazing! We’ll have one chicken tikka masala, one lamb biryani, one paneer tikka for our vegetarian daughter, and one order of garlic naan, please.

Waiter: Excellent choices! Would you like any additional condiments or spicy levels for your dishes?

Customer: Can we have some extra mint chutney on the side, please? And make the chicken tikka masala medium spicy.

Waiter: Of course, I’ll make a note of that. Your drinks will be out shortly, and I’ll get your order in right away. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you so much!

Waiter: My pleasure. If you need anything else or have any dietary concerns, feel free to let me know.

Customer: Will do. Thanks again!

Key Vocabulary with Meanings

Restaurant & Dining

• Waiter / Server – person who serves food

• Customer – person who orders food

• Menu – list of food and drinks

• Reservation – booking a table in advance

• Table – place where customers sit

Food & Drinks

• Vegetarian – food without meat

• Grilled – cooked over fire or heat

• Sauce – liquid added for flavor

• Side dish – food served with the main dish

• Drink / Beverage – liquid to drink

Ordering & Service

• Recommendation – suggestion

• Popular dish – food many people like

• Chef’s special – dish recommended by the chef

• On the side – served separately

• Spicy level – how hot the food is

Polite Expressions

• Right this way – follow me

• Can I get you started with…? – asking politely

• Excellent choice – polite praise

• I’ll be right back – returning soon

• My pleasure – polite response to thanks

Useful Spoken English Phrases

At the Start

• Do you have a reservation?

• How many are in your party?

• Can I start you off with some drinks?

Ordering Food

• What do you recommend?

• I’ll have the vegetable stir-fry, please.

• Could I get this with rice?

• Can I have the sauce on the side?

During the Meal

• Everything looks delicious!

• That sounds perfect.

• Could we have extra chutney, please?

Polite Ending

• Thank you very much!

• Enjoy your meal!

• Let me know if you need anything else.

Conclusion

Learning how to order food in English helps learners feel comfortable in restaurants and real-life situations.

These conversations teach polite language, clear communication, and confidence while speaking.

Regular practice of such dialogues improves spoken English and makes dining experiences easier and more enjoyable.