These phrases will help you to make a reservation at a restaurant and order your meal. On arrival it is customary to wait to be seated. On paying it is customary to leave a tip unless a service charge is included or the service has been poor.
Booking a table
do you have any free tables? |
a table for …, please |
two |
three |
four |
I'd like to make a reservation |
I'd like to book a table, please |
when for? |
for what time? |
this evening at … |
seven o'clock |
seven thirty |
eight o'clock |
eight thirty |
tomorrow at … |
noon |
twelve thirty |
one o'clock |
one thirty |
for how many people? |
I've got a reservation |
do you have a reservation? |
Ordering the meal
could I see the menu, please? |
could I see the wine list, please? |
can I get you any drinks? |
are you ready to order? |
do you have any specials? |
what's the soup of the day? |
what do you recommend? |
what's this dish? |
I'm on a diet |
I'm allergic to … |
wheat |
dairy products |
I'm severely allergic to … |
nuts |
shellfish |
I'm a vegetarian |
I don't eat … |
meat |
pork |
I'll have the … |
chicken breast |
roast beef |
pasta |
I'll take this |
I'm sorry, we're out of that |
for my starter I'll have the soup, and for my main course the steak |
how would you like your steak? |
rare |
medium-rare |
medium |
well done |
is that all? |
would you like anything else? |
nothing else, thank you |
we're in a hurry |
how long will it take? |
it'll take about twenty minutes |
English phrase guide | |
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➔
At a pub, bar, or café |
Shopping
➔ |
During the meal
If you'd like to get the waiter's attention, the most polite way is simply to say:
excuse me! |
Here are some other phrases you may hear or wish to use during your meal:
enjoy your meal! |
bon appétit! |
would you like to taste the wine? |
could we have …? |
another bottle of wine |
some more bread |
some more milk |
a jug of tap water |
some water |
still or sparkling? |
would you like any coffee or dessert? |
do you have any desserts? |
could I see the dessert menu? |
was everything alright? |
thanks, that was delicious |
Problems
this isn't what I ordered |
this food's cold |
this is too salty |
this doesn't taste right |
we've been waiting a long time |
is our meal on its way? |
will our food be long? |
Paying the bill
the bill, please |
could we have the bill, please? |
can I pay by card? |
do you take credit cards? |
is service included? |
can we pay separately? |
I'll get this |
let's split it |
let's share the bill |
Things you might see
Please wait to be seated |
Reserved |
Service included |
Service not included |