We continue the lessons of the series “ English for travelers" Do you have little knowledge of the language, but need to travel abroad? We suggest using the services of our convenient phrasebook. It contains the necessary phrases on the most popular everyday topics, and today’s material will tell you how to correctly compose a dialogue in a restaurant in English. The topic is undoubtedly important, because, as the famous aphorism says: lunch always takes place as scheduled! Let's look at what dishes are on the menu in English, how to book a table in advance, what expressions to use when communicating with the waiter, as well as many other nuances of visiting cafes and restaurants.
Before moving on to the dialogues, you need to learn useful words and phrases in English on the topic " going to a restaurant" This section presents the vocabulary used to describe restaurant menus in English.
To place an order for food and not be disappointed in your choice, you need to study the menu, understand what a given dish is and familiarize yourself with the prices. You can find menus in English in most countries of the world. It has a standard structure consisting of several sections:
- aperatif - aperitif;
- starter, the first course – first course, soup;
- dish of the day - dish of the day;
- main courses (entrees ) - Main dishes;
- side dishes – additional side dishes;
- hot appetizers - hot appetizers;
- cold platter – cold snacks;
- salads – salads;
- desserts - Dessert;
- snacks – snacks;
- sauces – sauces;
- hard drinks - strong alcohol;
- low-alcohol drinks – low-alcohol drinks;
- soft drinks - soft drinks;
- wine list- wine list
Using the table, let's look at English names popular dishes and drinks.
| The first course | |||
| onion soup | onion soup | vegetable soups | vegetable soup |
| mushroom soup | mushroom soup | tomato soup | tomato soup |
| cream soup | cream soup | soup of the day | soup of the day |
| Main courses | |||
| beefsteak | steak | goulash | goulash |
| stew | canned stewed meat | fish and chips | fish and potatoes |
| roast chicken/pork | fried chicken/pork | spaghetti | spaghetti |
| shepherd's pie | meat casserole with mashed potatoes | sausage and mash | sausage and mash |
| Side dishes | |||
| roasted vegetables | baked vegetables | rice | rice |
| baked potato | baked potato | mashed potatoes | mashed potatoes |
| Salads | |||
| Caesar salad | Caesar salad | Caprese salad | Caprese salad |
| garden fresh (mixed) salad | a fresh vegetable salad | Greek salad | Greek salad |
| Dessays | |||
| cheesecake | cheesecake | ice cream | ice cream |
| fruit salad | fruit salad | pudding | pudding |
| pancakes | pancakes | trifle | sponge cake with cream and wine soaking |
| Drinks | |||
| cognac | cognac | liqueur | liquor |
| champagne | champagne | cocktail | cocktail |
| coffee | coffee | tea | tea |
| juice | juice | mineral water | mineral water |
A large vocabulary on the topic of food, names of drinks and dishes in English with translation is presented in a separate article. Now let’s move on to studying expressions that will help us build a dialogue in cafes and restaurants in English.
Dialogue in a restaurant in English - examples of conversations for various situations
This part of the material contains standard phrases for waiters and visitors to the establishment, with the help of which dialogue in English is built in a cafe or restaurant. In addition to speech clichés, for each situation we will give an example of a full-fledged dialogue. Using it as a sample, you will be able to establish communication with staff and resolve any issue that concerns you.
Booking
If your trip has just begun and you have enough time, then before going to the restaurant you need to pre-book a table. To do this, you need to contact the administrator and list your wishes: what time do you plan to visit the establishment and how many people will come with you. The following phrases will help you place an order for a table:
- I 'd like to book a table for...(tonight, tomorrow) — I would like to reserve a table for...(tonight, tomorrow, etc.);
- I'd like to make a reservation, please — I would like to reserve a table.
- I’d like a table for… — I would like a table for ... (persons);
- Can you fit us in at…(7, 7.30) — Could you please book us for...(seven o'clock, 7.30, etc.)
- Smoking/non-smoking — To the smoking/non-smoking room
Let's look at what a preliminary recording looks like using a complete dialogue as an example.
| Hello! I'd like to make a reservation, please. | Hello, sir! What day do you want to come? What time? |
| Hello! I would like to make a reservation. | Hello, sir! INWhichdayYouwant tocome? What time? |
| Tomorrow evening at seven thirty. | And for how many people? |
| Tomorrow evening at 7.30 | How many people will there be? |
| I’d like a table for six. | Smoking or non-smoking ? |
| I need a table for 6 people. | In a smoking or non-smoking room? |
| Smoking, please | For what name should I make the reservation? |
| For smokers. | Whose name should I put the reservation in? |
| Kevin Colton. | Mr Kolton, we will be expecting you tomorrow at seven thirty. |
| Kevin Colton. | Mr. Colton, we will be waiting for you tomorrow at 7.30. |
| Thank you! | Thank you for calling. Good bye! |
| Thank you! | Thank you for calling. All the best! |
Visiting a restaurant
As a rule, when entering a restaurant you are greeted by hostess which will ask: did you register order on the table or decided to come in just now. In any case, this employee will clarify all the circumstances and try to find a free and comfortable table for you. Depending on the situation, you can use the appropriate expressions given in the table.
- Hello! Do you have any free tables? — Hello, do you have any tables available?
- I have a reservation at… — I have a table reserved for...
- We do not have a reservation. We’d like a table for three, please — We don't have any reservations. We'd like a table for three, please.
- Could we have a table by the window? — Could you provide us with a table by the window?
And this is what a complete English dialogue between a hostess and a visitor looks like.
| Hello! Do you have a reservation? | Hello! I’ve a reservation at 7.30. |
| Hello! Have you made a reservation? | Hello, I have a table booked for 7.30 |
| What's your name, sir? | Kevin Colton. |
| What's your name, sir? | Kevin Colton. |
| Mr Kolton, your table is near the window. Please come this way. | Okay. |
| Mr. Colton, your table is by the window. Please come here. | Fine. |
| Please be seated. Here is the menu. I'll get your waiter. | Thank you! |
| Sit down please. Here's the menu. Now I'll call your waiter. | Thank you! |
Ordering dishes
The most important conversation in English in a cafe or restaurant is, of course, ordering food or drinks. To politely attract the attention of a waiter or bartender, the easiest way is to say a short - excuseme (Sorry). Then there may be two options - you order the dishes and drinks you have chosen, or you ask the waiter for a recommendation. Let's look at what phrases help build dialogues in English for ordering dishes.
- Could I see the menu, please? — Can I see the menu?
- Please bring ( give) me … — Please bring (give) me...
- I'll take... — I will take…
- I'll have... — I will…
- What are your specialties? — What is your signature dish?
- What do you recommend? — What do you recommend?
- What is this dish ? — What kind of dish is this?
- How long will it take? — How long does it take to prepare?
- Nothing else, thank you — Nothing more, thank you.
Let's consider two dialogues: ordering dishes of your choice and with the help of the waiter's advice.
| Hello! What would you like? | I’d like the mushroom soup, please. |
| Hello, what will you order? | Mushroom soup, please. |
| And what for your main course? | I'm going to have the roast chicken with rice. |
| What's for the main course? | I'm thinking of ordering fried chicken with rice. |
| Anything to drink? | I'll take a bottle of mineral water. |
| Anything to wash down? | I'll take a bottle of mineral water. |
| Okay. I'll get your order in 10 minutes. | Thank you! |
| Fine. I'll bring your order in 10 minutes. | Thank you! |
| Hello! Are you ready to order? | Hello! I’ll have the roast pork and Greek salad. |
| Hello, are you ready to place an order? | Hello, I'll have roast pork and Greek salad. |
| I’m sorry, but the roast pork is finished. | What do you recommend me? |
| I'm sorry, but the roast pork is out. | Then what can you advise me? |
| You could try the beefsteak. | Okay, I'll take it. |
| You can try steak. | Okay, I'll take it. |
| How would you like your beefsteak? | Medium, please. How long will it take? |
| How should the meat be cooked? | Averagedone, Please. How long will it take to cook? |
| It will take about 25 minutes. | Okay, thank you! |
| Approximately 25 minutes. | OK, thank you! |
Bill payment
Once you've finished your meal, you can call the waiter again and either order something else or ask for the bill. To indicate a bill in restaurants and cafes in English, two equivalent words are used: bill from the British, and check from the Americans. You can use any of them, but learn that in the American environment bill more often used in the meaning " act, project, document" By the way, in some restaurants it is customary to immediately include tips in the report, so don’t be surprised if you see the line service (service). As a rule, tips range from 10 to 15% of the amount spent.
So, thank you for delicious dishes and you can ask for an invoice using the speech cliches given below.
- Thanks, I really enjoyed it! — Thank you, I really enjoyed it!
- It was delicious. — It was very tasty!
- The bill, please. — The check, please.
- I would like to pay now, please. — I'd like to pay now.
- Could you bring me the bill, please? — Could you bring me the bill please?
- Is service included? — Is maintenance included?
- Keep the change. — Keep the change for yourself.
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Do you take credit cards? —
Consider the final dialogue.
| Excuse me! Are you finished? | Yes, we're finished. Thank you, it was delicious! |
| Sorry, are you finished? | Yes, Wefinished. Thank you, it was amazingly delicious! |
| Would you like desserts? | No, thanks. Can we have the bill, please? |
| Would you like some desserts? | No, Thank you. Can we please have the bill? |
| Sure. I'll bring it right now. | Is service included? |
| Certainly. I'll bring it now. | Is maintenance included? |
| Yes, it is. | Do you take credit cards? |
| Yes. | Do you accept credit cards? |
| Sure. | Thanks for the good service! We'll come again! |
| Certainly. | Thanks for the good service! We will come again! |
| Thank you! Hope to see you again. | Have a nice day! |
| Thank you! We will be glad to see you again. | Have a good day! |
I would like to tell about my favorite restaurant which is called Trattoria Formaggi. This Italian cuisine restaurant is located in one of the central streets. It is a very cozy place with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. In front of the entrance there is a summer terrace where guests can enjoy a light business lunch or a cup of delicious Italian coffee.
The air-conditioned spacious dining room is elegantly decorated in warm tones. Quiet music is played in the background. The waiting staff will be happy to give all the information about new and specialty dishes.
Mainly there are Italian dishes on the menu. Guests can order fresh pizza, delicious pasta as well as excellent meat and fish specialties. A wide range of salads and snacks is also served here. After a lunch or dinner, you will be offered to try one of the wonderful desserts. The meal can be accompanied by alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails or other refreshments.
I would like to tell you about my favorite restaurant, Trattoria Formaggi. This Italian restaurant is located on one of the central streets. This is a very cozy place with a quiet and calm atmosphere. In front of the restaurant entrance there is a summer terrace where you can enjoy a light business lunch or drink a cup of delicious Italian coffee.
The spacious, air-conditioned room is elegantly decorated in warm colors. Quiet music is playing in the hall. The service staff will provide full information about new menu items and specialties.
The menu mainly features Italian dishes. Here you can order fresh pizza, delicious pasta, as well as excellent meat and fish dishes. The menu offers a wide selection of salads and appetizers. After lunch or dinner, you will be offered to try a magnificent dessert. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as other refreshing drinks.
— What are your plans for this evening? (What are your plans for the evening?)
- I thought to go home. I was tired at work. (I was thinking about going home. I was tired from work)
— I invite you to go to the cafe. I know a very cozy place. (I suggest going to a cafe. I know a very cozy place)
- Good. Do we need to book a table? (Okay. Do we need to make a reservation?)
- No, on weekdays there are not many people. (No, there are not many people there on weekdays.)
- Sounds great. How far to get to it? We will not get into traffic congestion? (Sounds great. How far is it to get there? Will we get into traffic?)
— No, we will be able to get to the cafe on foot in half an hour. (No, we can get to the cafe on foot in half an hour.)
— How expensive are the dishes on the menu? (How expensive are the menu items?)
— They have a cheap hot drinks and inexpensive business lunches. (They have cheap hot drinks and inexpensive business lunch.)
- Well. But everyone pays for itself. (Great. But everyone pays for themselves.)
— Agreed. I propose to go right now. (We agreed. I suggest leaving now.)
Book a table in English
— Good evening! I would like to book a table, please. (Hello! I would like to reserve a table, please)
— Good evening. On what day and what time would you like to come? (Good evening. What day and what time would you like to come?)
— This Friday at seven p.m. (This Friday at seven pm)
— Unfortunately, for five hours all the tables are occupied. (Unfortunately, at five o'clock all tables are occupied)
- Well. How about Saturday at the same time? (Okay. How about Saturday at the same time?)
— On Saturday, there are empty seats. How many people will come? (There are free places on Saturday. How many people will come?)
— We need a table for eight. (We need a table for eight)
— Smoking or non-smoking? (Is the room smoking or non-smoking?)
- Non Smoking, please. May I know what are the discounts? (Non-smoking please. May I know about discounts?)
— We have a student discount and discount on the day of birth. (We have discounts for students and birthdays)
— Can you tell me about discount birthday? (Tell us about the birthday discount)
— It works the whole week after the birthday. All menus will be a discount of twenty percent. (It is valid for the whole week after the birthday. There will be a twenty percent discount on the entire menu)
- Great. Then I book a table on Saturday. (Great. Then I'll book a table for Saturday)
— May I know your name? (May I know your name?)
— Anna Petrova. (Anna Petrova)
- Good. Thank you for your call! Bye! (Okay. Thanks for your call! Goodbye!)
- Bye! (Goodbye!)
Ordering food in English, dialogue with the waiter
- Good morning! Can I have the menu, please? (Hello! Can I please have the menu?)
- Yes, please. Can I take your order? (Yes please. Can I take your order?)
— Tell me something light, I’m on a diet. (Give me something easy, I'm on a diet)
— You can take a vegetable salad and grilled chicken. (You can take vegetable salad, chicken fillet Grilled)
- Okay, I’ll take them. What will advise of drinks? (Okay, I'll take them. What drinks do you recommend?)
— I would suggest tea or coffee. (I would suggest tea or coffee)
- Then the green tea, please. If possible, bring the bill immediately. (Back then green tea, Please. If possible, please bring the bill immediately)
— Okay, I’ll be right back with your order and the invoice. (Okay, I'll be right back with your order and invoice)
When traveling to other countries, it is important to know English at least at a basic level. Today we will look English phrases In a restaurant. These expressions will help you book a table, make a polite order and pay.
Booking a Table / Reserve a table
If the restaurant is popular, you may want to make a reservation for the time you plan to visit. Let's first look at a few expressions that will help you reserve a table in advance, or ask to be seated at a table if you haven't reserved one.
- Hello! I’d like to reserve / book a table, please — Hello! I would like to reserve a table please.
- Hello! Do you have any free tables? - Hello! Do you have any free tables?
- I’d like to book a table for three tonight. — I would like to reserve a table for three for tonight.
- What time do you want to come? — What time would you like to come?
- Hello! Do you have a reservation? - Hello! have you booked a table?
- Hello! I do not have a reservation. We would like a table for two, please. - Hello! I don't have a reservation. We'd like a table for two, please.
- Could we get a table by the window? —Can we sit at a table by the window?
- Hello! I do not have a reservation. May we sit at this table? - Hello! I don't have a reservation. Can we take this table?
- I’ve got a reservation - I booked.
- Please wait to be seated - please wait, you will be seated at a table.
How to make an order / How to make an order in English
So, you are comfortably seated at your table, and it’s time to place your order. Let's look at phrases that will help you cope with this task.
- Could I see the menu, please? — can I see the menu?
- Could you bring me the menu, please? - Bring me the menu, please.
- Can I get you any drinks? — Shall I get you something to drink?
- Can I take your order? — May I take your order?
- Are you ready to order? —Are you ready to order?
- Would you like an appetizer to start? — Would you like a snack to start?
- We are not ready yet. — We are not ready yet (to place an order)
- Yes, we are ready. - Yes, we are ready.
- Come to us in 5 minutes, please - come to us in 5 minutes, please
- Do you have any specials? — do you have special dishes?
- What dish do you recommend? — What dish do you recommend?
- Does it contain dairy products? — Does it contain dairy products?
- I’m allergic to dairy products / peanuts - I am allergic to dairy products / peanuts.
- I'd like the set lunch. — I'll have a set lunch.
- What's this dish? - what kind of dish is this?
- How does it taste? -What does it taste like?
- I'll take this. - I will take him.
- May I have a glass of water, please? — can I have a glass of water?
- Can I have a plate of that? — can I have a portion (a plate) of this?
- I'm a vegetarian. Do you have anything without meat? - I am a vegetarian. Do you have anything without meat?
- Do you have any vegetarian dishes? - Do you have vegetarian dishes?
- I’m sorry, we’re out of that - Sorry, we’ve run out of this.
- Thank you for the recommendation. - Thanks for the recommendation.
- Could I see the wine list, please? — Can I see the wine list, please?
- Can I get this to go? -Can I take this to go?
- How would you like your steak? — What kind of steak do you want?
- Rare/medium/well done. — Rare/medium rare/done.
- I will be right back with your order. - I'll be right back with your order.
- Would you like anything else? - would you like anything else?
- Nothing else, thank you - nothing more, thank you
- We're in a hurry. How long will it take? - We're in a hurry. Will everything be ready soon?
- Will our food be long? — How long will it take until it’s cooked?
- Enjoy your meal! - Bon appetit!
Problems / Problems
Unfortunately, sometimes restaurants make mistakes, as a result of which they may bring us a cold dish, or even not what we ordered.
- This isn’t what I ordered
- I’ve ordered another dish - I ordered another dish.
- This food's cold. May you pop it in the microwave? — This food is cold. Can you heat it up in the microwave?
- I can fry them up - it’d just take a second - I can warm them up - it will take a second.
- We’ve been waiting a long time - We waited for a long time.
- This tastes a bit off. / It doesn't taste right. — This dish tastes strange.
- This meat is underdone/over roasted. — This meat is undercooked/overcooked.
- Can I see the manager, please? — Can I see the administrator?
Asking for a bill / Asking for a bill
- Could we have the bill, please? — could we get the bill, please?
- Can I pay by card? — can I pay by card?
- Do you take credit cards? - Do you accept credit cards?
- Is service included? - Is there a service fee included?
- Can we pay separately? — can we pay separately?
- Let's share the bill - let's pay together.
- Are you paying together? - Will you pay together?
- I will bring the check right now. - I'll bring the bill now.
- Do you need any change? —Will you need change?
Before leaving the restaurant, do not forget to thank the staff:
- Thank you it was delicious. - Thank you, it was very tasty.
- I really enjoyed it. - I liked it very much.
- I will come again. - I'll come again.
- My compliments to the chef. — My compliment to the cook.
We hope you find English restaurant phrases useful during your travels. We wish you a wonderful holiday and bon appetit :).
Hello. Pizzeria Tricolore. Can I help you?
Hello. I would like to book a table, please.
What day and what time do you want to come?
Tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. Do you have any free tables?
Yes, we do. We have a couple of tables available for tomorrow. And how many people are there in your party?
I hope there will be five or six of us.
Would you like to reserve a private dining-room?
OK. A table for six then. Would you like smoking or non-smoking?
Non-smoking, please.
Right. Can I get your name, sir?
Bond. James Bond.
Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Bond?
Well, we have a couple of vegetarians in our group, but I don’t think that would be a problem, wouldn’t it?
You're right. We can offer a special vegetarian menu with a wide selection of food in our restaurant.
Fine. That's all I think.
So you have a reservation for tomorrow at 7 p.m. If there's anything else you need, you can let us know. Just phone the same number and ask for me. My name's Helen.
Sure. Thank you, Helen.
Thank you for calling. See you tomorrow.
Translation
Hello. Pizzeria Tricolore. Can I help you?
Hello. I'd like to reserve a table, please.
What day and what time do you want to come?
Tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock. Do you have any free tables?
Yes, I have. There are still a couple of free tables available for tomorrow. How many people will be in your company?
I hope there will be five or six of us.
Do you need a separate banquet hall?
No, thank you.
Fine. Then just a table for six people. Smoking or non-smoking room?
Non-smoker please.
Fine. May I know your name?
Bond. James Bond.
Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Bond?
Yes, there are a couple of vegetarians in our group, but I don't think that will be a problem, right?
You're right. We can offer special vegetarian menu with a wide selection of dishes in our restaurant.
Great. I think that's it.
So, you have made a reservation for tomorrow at 7 pm. If you need anything else, you can let us know. Just call the same number and call me. My name is Helen.
Of course. Thank you, Helen.
Thank you for calling. Till tomorrow.
Goodbye!
Dialogue "Booking a table in a restaurant" - 5.0 out of 5 based on 12 votes
