Dining Phrases for English Learners
Mastering dining phrases is essential for English learners, especially when traveling or socializing in English-speaking countries. This guide covers common phrases used in restaurants, their meanings, examples, and exercises to practice.
1. Ordering Food
Meaning: Phrases used to request food or drinks from a menu.
- “Could I see the menu, please?” – A polite way to ask for the menu.
- “I’d like to order the chicken salad.” – Telling the waiter your choice.
- “Can I get this to go?” – Asking for takeaway food.
Examples:
- Waiter: “Are you ready to order?”
You: “Yes, I’d like the spaghetti carbonara.” - You: “Could I have a glass of water, please?”
- You: “Is the soup vegetarian?”
2. Asking for Recommendations
Meaning: Phrases to ask the waiter or others for suggestions.
- “What do you recommend?” – Asking for the waiter’s suggestion.
- “What’s the house specialty?” – Inquiring about the restaurant’s best dish.
- “Which dish is popular here?” – Asking about customer favorites.
Examples:
- You: “I’m not sure what to order. What do you recommend?”
- Waiter: “Our seafood pasta is very popular.”
- You: “Is the steak cooked well here?”
3. Making Special Requests
Meaning: Phrases to customize your order.
- “Could I have this without onions?” – Requesting a modification.
- “Can I substitute fries for salad?” – Asking for a side dish change.
- “Is it possible to make it less spicy?” – Adjusting the spice level.
Examples:
- You: “Can I get the burger without cheese?”
- Waiter: “Sure, would you like extra tomatoes instead?”
- You: “Could I have the dressing on the side?”
4. Paying the Bill
Meaning: Phrases related to settling the payment.
- “Could we have the bill, please?” – Requesting the check.
- “Do you accept credit cards?” – Asking about payment methods.
- “We’d like to split the bill.” – Asking to pay separately.
Examples:
- You: “Excuse me, can we get the bill?”
- Waiter: “Would you like to pay together or separately?”
- You: “Is service charge included?”
Exercises
Practice the following scenarios using the dining phrases:
- You are at a café. Ask for the menu and order a coffee.
- You want to try something new. Ask the waiter for a recommendation.
- You are allergic to nuts. Ask if the dessert contains any.
- You are ready to leave. Ask for the bill and confirm payment options.
Answer Key
| Exercise | Possible Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | “Could I see the menu, please? I’d like a black coffee.” |
| 2 | “What’s your most popular dish here?” |
| 3 | “Does this cake contain nuts? I’m allergic.” |
| 4 | “Can we have the bill, please? Do you take credit cards?” |