At a Café or Restaurant

How to order food at a café or restaurant.

Dialog 1. Dining at a Restaurant Alone

This dialogue includes most of the basic questions you’ll need to know when going to a restaurant alone.

Waiter: Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?

Customer: Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please?

Waiter: Certainly, here you are.

Customer: Thank you. What’s today’s special?

Waiter: Grilled tuna and cheese on rye.

Customer: That sounds good. I’ll have that.

Waiter: Would you like something to drink?

Customer: Yes, I’d like a coke.

Waiter: Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you.

Waiter: Can I get you anything else?

Customer: No thanks. I’d like the check, please.

Waiter: That’ll be $18.45.

Customer: Here you are. Keep the change!

Waiter: Thank you! Have a good day!

Customer: Goodbye.

Dialogue 2. At a Restaurant With Friends

Use this dialogue to practice speaking at a restaurant when eating with friends. The dialogue includes questions to help you choose what to eat.

John: The spaghetti looks really nice.

Mary: It is! I had it the last time I was here.

Steven: How is the pizza, Mary?

Mary: It’s good, but I think the pasta is better. What would you recommend?

Server: I’d recommend the lasagna. It’s excellent!

Mary: That sounds great. I’ll have that.

Server: Fine. Would you like an appetizer?

Mary: No, lasagna is more than enough for me!

John: I think I’ll have the lasagna as well.

Server: Right. That’s two lasagnas. Would you care for an appetizer?

John: Yes, I’ll take the calamari.

Steven: Oh, that sounds good! I can’t decide between the chicken and grilled fish.

Server: The fish is fresh, so I’d recommend that.

Steven: Great. I’ll have the fish. I’d also like a salad.

Server: What would you like to drink?

John: I’ll have beer.

Mary: I’d like a water.

Steven: I’ll take a glass of red wine.

Server: Thank you. I’ll get the drinks and the appetizers.

John: Thank you.

Phrases

Here are some key phrases used to discuss food in a café or restaurant when ordering and deciding on what to eat:

• Are there any nuts / peanuts? I have allergies.
• Can I get you anything else?
• Could I have a glass of water, please?
• Could I have a menu, please?
• Could you tell me where the restroom is?
• Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
• Enjoy your meal!
• Have a good day!
• Here you are.
• How is the pizza / fish / beer?
• I’d like my steak rare / medium / well done.
• I’d like the check, please.
• I’d like to have a beer / steak / glass of wine.
• I’d recommend the lasagna / steak / pizza.
• That’ll be …
• The spaghetti / steak / chicken looks good.
• What would you recommend?
• Would you care for an appetizer / a beer / a cocktail?
• Would you like …