{"id":46924,"date":"2023-08-23T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T13:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/?p=46924"},"modified":"2024-06-14T17:25:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T14:25:06","slug":"ordering-food-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/en\/ordering-food-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"Ordering Food in English"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Have you ever tried to order food in English? It\u2019s a skill that will help you a lot more than you think in life. When you travel to an English speaking country, you\u2019ll need to order food in English. Even if you\u2019re not in an English speaking country, English is considered a universal language. Therefore, most people choose to learn English as a foreign language. That means you can order food in English in most countries. With the help of our article, you can also learn how to order food in English.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

How to Order at a Restaurant in English<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To order food, you should state the dishes you want politely. You can say \u201cCan I have a (name of the dish)?\u201d<\/strong>. You can order multiple dishes by saying \u201cCan I have a (name of the dish) and (name of the dish)?\u201d<\/strong>. If you want to order side dishes, add \u201c… with a side of (name of the side dish)?\u201d<\/strong> when ordering your main course. To order drinks, you can either say \u201cCan I have a (name of the drink)?\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cCan I have a glass of (name of the drink)?\u201d<\/strong>. If you want a whole bottle instead of a glass, say \u201cCan I have a bottle of (name of the drink)?\u201d<\/strong>. You can change \u201cCan I have a\u2026\u201d<\/strong> with \u201cI would like a\u2026\u201d<\/strong>. You can also add \u201cplease\u201d<\/strong> at the end of your order for extra politeness.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Vocabulary That Is Useful For Any Dining Situation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Bill\/check<\/td>The piece of paper on which the price of the food you owe to the restaurant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Booking<\/td>Reservation, an arrangement made earlier for when you will arrive to the restaurant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Course<\/td>A set of food that is served separately during a meal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cutlery<\/td>Forks, knives, spoons; silverware<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dish<\/td>Particularly prepared food as a part of a meal (ex. chicken dish)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Menu<\/td>List of all foods and drinks that are served in a restaurant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Set menu<\/td>A list of dishes that is ordered together<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drinks menu<\/td>A menu only containing of drinks, usually alcoholic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Starter<\/td>First dish of a course, usually smaller than other courses<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main course<\/td>Main part of the course, usually served in big portions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side dish<\/td>Smaller portion of food that you eat with the main course<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dessert<\/td>Last course of the meal, typically sweet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gluten-free<\/td>Food that doesn\u2019t contain gluten<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vegetarian<\/td>Not including meat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vegan<\/td>Not including animal products<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kosher<\/td>Food prepared according to Jewish law<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halal<\/td>Food prepared according to Muslim law<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Portion<\/td>The amount of food served<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Server\/waiter\/waitress<\/td>The worker who takes your order and brings you food<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Today\u2019s special<\/td>A special dish usually only available for that day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tip<\/td>A small, extra sum of money given to the restaurant staff for good service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Phrases Used At A Restaurant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you order at a restaurant, the server might ask you follow up questions on your order. They might say \u201cHow would you like your meat\/eggs cooked?\u201d<\/strong>. To that you may answer \u201cRare\/medium rare\/ well-cooked etc.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have dietary restrictions or just don\u2019t want to eat certain ingredients, you need to learn how to ask your waiter about them. You can say \u201cI\u2019m allergic to (name of the ingredient), what dishes can you recommend?\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cI don\u2019t like (name of the ingredient), can you substitute it with (name of another ingredient)?\u201d<\/strong> To ask whether a dish fits your diet, you can ask \u201cIs this dish vegetarian\/vegan\/pescaterian\/gluten free etc?\u201d<\/strong>, or \u201cDoes this food contain nuts\/dairy\/fish\/meat etc.?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your dish is cold, undercooked or you don\u2019t like it and want to change it, you can say \u201cExcuse me, this dish is cold\/undercooked etc. I\u2019d like to send it back.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t want to dine in the restaurant and just take the food home, simply ask \u201cCan I order to go, please?\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cFor takeaway, please.\u201d<\/strong> If you dined in the restaurant, couldn\u2019t finish your food and wanted to take it home, say \u201cCan I have a to-go box?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you are done with the food and want to pay for your meal, say \u201cI\u2019d like the bill\/check\/ to pay, please.\u201d<\/strong> After you\u2019re done with paying, don\u2019t forget to tip your waiter!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Dialog Examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s examine an example dialogue of Tom ordering food at a restaurant.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Server:<\/strong> Welcome to EnglishCentral Restaurant. Did you have a reservation?
\nTom:<\/strong> Hello, yes. The reservation is under \u201cTom\u201d, a table for two at 8 p.m.
\nServer:<\/strong> Wonderful, please follow me to your table.<\/p>\n

Server:<\/strong> Are you ready to order, sir?
\nTom:<\/strong> Yes, I would like the steak dish, but can you substitute the fries with steamed vegetables?
\nServer:<\/strong> Yes of course sir, how would you like your steak cooked?
\nTom:<\/strong> Well done please.
\nServer:<\/strong> And your friend sir?
\nTom:<\/strong> He would like the Today\u2019s Special, but he is allergic to nuts. Does that dish contain any nuts?
\nServer:<\/strong> Yes, unfortunately it does sir. May I recommend the penne arrabiata instead?
\nTom:<\/strong> We\u2019ll take that, thank you. And a side of mushrooms to share please.
\nServer:<\/strong> Yes sir. Have you had a chance to observe our drink menu yet?
\nTom:<\/strong> Yes, we would like a bottle of red wine, please.
\nServer:<\/strong> Wonderful choice sir, I will be back with your order shortly.<\/p>\n

Tom:<\/strong> Excuse me, the steak is undercooked. Can you send it back?
\nServer:<\/strong> Of course sir, I\u2019ll be right back with your dish.<\/p>\n

Server:<\/strong> Can I get you dessert?
\nTom:<\/strong> No thank you, we\u2019ll take the check please.
\nServer:<\/strong> Right away.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering Food in English
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

How can I order food in English?<\/strong>
\nYou can order food by saying \u201cCan I have a (name of the dish)?\u201d. You can learn about more ways to order food in English in our article above.<\/p>\n

How to ask for the bill in English?<\/strong>
\nTo ask for the bill, say \u201cI would like the bill, please.\u201d You can learn about more ways to order food in English in our article above.<\/p>\n

How to ask for the menu in English?<\/strong>
\nTo ask for the menu, say \u201cCan I see the menu?\u201d You can learn about more ways to order food in English in our article above.<\/p>\n

How to change an ingredient in a dish when you\u2019re ordering in English?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To change an ingredient in your dish, say \u201cCan you substitute (name of the ingredient) with (name of the ingredient) please?\u201d You can learn about more ways to order food in English in our article above.<\/p>\n