Intermediate· B1–B2Daily life9 min

Ordering food at a restaurant

Ask about the menu, order a meal with a special request and ask for the check.

The scene

You are having dinner at a neighborhood restaurant. The server comes to your table to take your order, and later you need to ask for the check.

Speaker A
Server
Speaker B
You (diner)

Your goals

  • Ask questions about dishes on the menu
  • Order with a special request or allergy
  • Ask for the check and pay politely

Key vocabulary

Press the speaker to hear each word or phrase.

  • appetizer

    a small dish eaten before the main course (a 'starter' in British English)

    Let's share an appetizer.

  • entrée

    in American English, the main dish of a meal

    The salmon is my favorite entrée.

  • the special

    a dish the restaurant offers only for a short time

    What's the special tonight?

  • allergic to

    having a bad physical reaction to a food

    I'm allergic to peanuts.

  • on the side

    served separately, not mixed into the dish

    Could I have the dressing on the side?

  • the check

    the bill that shows what you owe (American English)

    Could we get the check, please?

  • to recommend

    to say that something is good and suggest it

    What would you recommend?

  • tip

    extra money you give the server for good service

    The tip isn't included in the price.

Useful phrases

  • What would you recommend?

    Asking the server for advice

  • I'll have the …, please.

    Ordering a dish

  • Does it come with …?

    Asking what is served with a dish

  • Could I have it without …?

    Asking to remove an ingredient

  • Could we get the check, please?

    Asking for the bill at the end of the meal

  • Is service included?

    Checking whether a tip is already in the bill

Practice studio: speak the dialogue

Pick your role and press Start. Your partner's lines are read aloud; then say your line into the microphone (or type it) and see which words you got right.

Your role

  1. Server

    Good evening. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?

  2. You (diner)

    I think I'm ready. What would you recommend tonight?

  3. Server

    The special is grilled salmon with roasted vegetables. It's very popular.

  4. You (diner)

    That sounds good. Does it come with rice or potatoes?

  5. Server

    It comes with rice, but you can switch to potatoes if you like.

  6. You (diner)

    Rice is fine. One thing, though: I'm allergic to nuts. Is there anything in the sauce?

  7. Server

    Good question. The sauce has almonds, but the chef can leave it off.

  8. You (diner)

    Great, I'll have the salmon without the sauce, then, and a glass of water.

  9. Server

    Perfect. I'll let the kitchen know about your allergy.

  10. You (diner)

    Thank you. And could I get the check with the food? I'm in a bit of a hurry.

You speak 5 lines as You (diner); Server is read aloud for you.

Speech recognition is done by your browser (in Chrome and Edge this uses the browser maker's online service). Nothing is stored by AltFTool.

Your turn: speak freely

Answer out loud in your own words. There is no score here: aim for full sentences and fewer filler words.

  1. 1. Ask a server for a recommendation and order a dish with one change.

  2. 2. Explain a food allergy or a food you don't eat and ask what you can order.

  3. 3. Describe the best meal you have had at a restaurant and why you liked it.

Quick quiz

Choose an answer to see if you are right and why.

  1. 1. In American English, what is 'the check'?
  2. 2. Which question asks the server for advice?
  3. 3. You want the salad dressing in a separate bowl. What do you say?
  4. 4. Which sentence correctly explains an allergy?

0 of 4 answered

Common mistakes

  • Avoid: Can you bring me the account?

    Say: Could we get the check, please?

    'Account' is for banks; in restaurants it is 'the check' (US) or 'the bill' (UK).

  • Avoid: I will take the fish.

    Say: I'll have the fish, please.

    'I'll have…' is the usual way to order; 'I will take' sounds stiff in a restaurant.

  • Avoid: I am allergic of seafood.

    Say: I'm allergic to seafood.

    'Allergic' always goes with 'to'.

Tips

  • Mention allergies before you order, not after the food arrives.
  • If you don't understand a dish, it is normal to ask 'What's in the…?'
  • In the United States, check the bill to see if service is included; usually it is not, and diners add a tip.

Questions about this lesson

How do you ask for the bill in English?

In the US say 'Could we get the check, please?' In the UK say 'Could we have the bill, please?' Both are polite.

How do you say you have a food allergy in English?

Say 'I'm allergic to…' and name the food, for example 'I'm allergic to shellfish. Is there any in this dish?'

What is the difference between an appetizer and an entrée?

In American English an appetizer is a small first dish and an entrée is the main dish. In British English these are a starter and a main course.

Finish the lesson

Finish the practice studio and the quiz and this lesson is marked complete for you.

Next lesson: Making an appointment by phone

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