English Vocabulary for learners
RESTAURANTS and FOOD
Useful phrases relating to restaurants and food.
English vocabulary relating to restaurants and food: questions, requests, reservations and payment,
together with possible answers.
| Questions | Requests | Enquiries | Answers | Queries | Information |
|---|---|
| • I'd like to book a table please. • Could I/we have a table please? • Would you have a table for 2 please? • Could we have a table next to the window/outside/upstairs/downstairs? • Do you cater for children? • Do you have a high chair for the baby? • Can we take the pushchair/buggy/stroller inside? |
• For how many people? • How many of you are there? • Inside or outside (in the garden/on the terrace)? • Have you booked? / Do you have a reservation? • Your name please? • I’m afraid we’re full right now. • There’ll be a table free in (…) minutes. • Could you come back a little later? |
| • How long will we have to wait? • Will we have to wait long? • How long will it take? |
• I'm afraid you'll have to wait ... a little while ... for half an hour/30 minutes • Would like to wait in the bar? |
| • Can I have the menu please? • Could we have some water please? • What soft drinks do you have? • Do you have a wine list? • Could we have the wine list please? • Do you have any vegetarian/vegan dishes? • Do you have any gluten-free dishes? • Do you have a set menu? • Do you have a menu/portions for children? • Does this have ….. in it? • What is ..... exactly? • We'd like to order now please. • I'll have .... to start with. • For the main course I'd like ... • Could I have some more bread/butter/water please? • Could you bring us some salt/pepper/ketchup ...? • What desserts do you have? |
• Are you ready to order? • Would you like to order now? • What would you like to drink? • Still or sparkling water? • Would you like to see the wine list? • How would you like your steak cooked? ... rare? / medium rare? /well done? • The fish is cooked in a sauce / served with a ... sauce. • It's grilled/baked/stir-fried ... • It's a fillet. There are no bones in it. • The chicken is cooked in (a light) batter. • It is / it is not (very) spicy. • Would you like a side dish: vegetables / rice / salad / chips (US: French fries) ...? • Do you need anything else? • Do you have everything you need? • Is everything OK? • Would you like a dessert? |
| • Can I have the bill please? • We're going to split the bill. • Can we pay separately? • Do you take/accept credit cards? • Can I pay by credit card/cheque (US: check)? |
• Yes of course. • Here you are. • Are you paying together or separately? • No problem. • I'm afraid we don't take credit cards / cheques. |
see also:
hotel vocabulary