Restaurant Vocabulary

Parts of the menu

 Starters/Appetizers/Entrees/Hors D'oeuvres
 Soups
 Main Courses (Meat/Fish/Vegetarian)
 Desserts
 Beverages (Coffee etc.)
 Wine/Drinks List (sometimes on a separate menu)

Booking a table
 I'd like to reserve / book a table for four at 8pm, please.
 I'd like to reserve / book a table for a party of six at 8pm, please.
 I'd like to book a table for two at 8 in the name of Hand, please.
 Could we have a table by the window, please?
 Could we have a non-smoking table, please?
 Could we have a table away from the kitchen/toilets, please?
 Could we have a booth, please?
 Could you make sure it's a quiet table, please?
Placing an order
 I'd like the .............., please.
 For starters I'll have the soup and for the main course I'd like the roast beef.
 Could I have chips instead of new potatoes, please?
 What is the house special today?
 Is there anything you would recommend?
 Could I see the wine menu, please?
 I'll have a bottle of the South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
 I'll have a glass of house red/white, please.
 Which wine would you recommend?

Complaining
 Excuse me, but my meal is cold.
 Excuse me, we've been waiting for over half an hour for our drinks.
 I'm sorry but I ordered the side salad not the vegetables.
 Excuse me this steak is overdone, I ordered rare.
 I'm afraid this wine tastes corked.
 Excuse me this wine isn't chilled properly.
Arriving at the restaurant
 Good evening, the name is Hand. I have a table booked for six.
 Do you have the menu in English/German/French ..., please?
 Do you have a high chair for young children, please?
 Could we have a table over there, please?
 I'm sorry but I asked for a table by the window.
 Could we have an extra chair, please?

During/after lunch
 Could we have some more bread, please?
 Do you have a pepper mill?
 Could I have some dressing, please?
 Could you pass me the salt, please?
 That was delicious. My compliments to the chef.
Paying
 Could I have the bill, please?
 Do you take Visa?
 We'd like separate bills, please.
 Is service included?
 No, please. This is on me. (When you wish to pay for everyone.)
Vocabulary
Chicken Eat Ice cubes
Coffee Fish eggs Sugar
Drinks menu Food Dinner
Cola Fork fries Dish
Cold Specials Dishwasher
Wine Fruit Doggie bag
Condiments Glass Well-done
Drink Gourmand Pasta
Cook Gourmet Waitress
Spill Grilled Pepper
Spoon Hamburger Rare
Vegan option Head Waiter Beef
Starters Plate Tomato
Diner Platter Seafood
Dining tea Soup
Cutlery Host/Hostess Bread
Steak Hot Meat
 AT THE
RESTAURANT
Do you know what to say when you are eating out? Below there are some examples
of useful language used in this situation.
WAITER / WAITRESS
Taking notes about the order:
 Would you like to order?
 Can I help you?
 Are you ready to order?
 Are you going to try any of our…?
Offering Food
 Would you like a / an / some…?
 What about a / an / some…?
 Can I get you a / an / some…?
 Won’t you go for a / an / some…?
Asking about preferences:
 Do you prefer…?
 How would you like it?
Asking about drinks:
 What would you like to drink?
 Anything to drink?
 To drink?
A. Put the following events in the correct order:
CUSTOMER
Ordering a meal:
 Excuse me, waiter, we’d like to order.
 We are ready to order now.
 I’d like a / an / some…and…
 I want a / an / some…and…
 I’ll go for a / an / some…
 Please bring me a / an / some…
To accept / refuse the offer:
 Yes, please.
No, thanks. I’d like/ prefer a / an / some…
Deciding about drinks:
 I’d like…
 Could you bring me.., please?
Asking about the bill:
 Could I have the bill, please?
 Could you bring me the bill, please?
_______ have the main course
_______ ask for the bill
_______ sit down
_______ look at the menu
_______ book a table
_______ have the starter
_______ decide to go out for dinner
_______ pay the bill
_______ tip the waiter
_______ have a dessert
B. These are sentences commonly used in a restaurant when ordering a meal. Put
the words in the correct order.
1. pay / can / with / I / a debit card?
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2. a table / we’d / like / for two.
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3. have / the soup of the day / first / I’ll.
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4. the menu / have / please / we / can?
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5. have / please / can / the bill / we ?
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6. vegetables/ what / like / you / would?
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7. coffee / like / some / you /would?
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8. course / the salmon grill / for / I’d / main / like / my