Common Phrases for Ordering at a Restaurant/Cafe

Role Play - Ordering Coffee

"Hello, welcome to The Coffee House. How are you today?" "Hello, I'm pretty good, how are you?" "I'm great, thanks for asking. What can I get for you today?" "Can I get a large coffee, please? With cream and sugar." "Yes, is that all for you today?" "Yeah." "Would you like to try our new chocolate scone?" "No, thank you." "Alright, one large coffee. Your total is $2.50. Will that be cash or card?" "Card, please." "Please sign...here's your receipt." "Thank you." "Please wait at the counter over there for your coffee. Thank you, have a nice day!" "Thank you, you too."

Order Food

- Are you ready to order?/Can I take your order? - I'd like... or I'll have... for starter/appetizer or for main course.

For Here or To Go

- Can I get this to go? - I'd like the Spaghetti and Meatballs, to go please. - Can I have the Fried Rice and Egg Rolls? Take out. - For here, please.

Pay the Bill

- Can we have the bill, please? - Check, please.

Key Phrases

- Could I have a menu, please? - Here you are. - Enjoy your meal! - Would you like ... - Can I get you anything else? - I'd like the check, please. - That'll be ... - Have a good day! - The spaghetti/steak/chicken looks good. - How is the pizza/fish/beer?

Special Considerations

- Does this contain meat/nuts/dairy? - I can't eat _____, which dishes would you recommend for me?

Extra Questions

- Eggs - scrambled/poached/omelettes/over easy/sunny side up, etc. - Steak - Rare/Medium Rare/Well Done/ Medium Well, etc. - Fillings - Side Dishes - Dressings

Get the right table

- How many people are in your party? - We'd like a table for 5, please.

Key Phrases

- What would you recommend? - I'd like my steak rare/medium/well done. - Are there any nuts/peanuts? My child has allergies. - Do you have any vegetarian dishes? - Could I have a glass of water, please? - Could you tell me where the restroom is? - I'd recommend the lasagna/steak/pizza. - Would you care for an appetizer/a beer/a cocktail? - I'd like to have a beer/steak/glass of wine.

Order Drinks

- Would you like to start with a drink? - Yes, we'd like (type of drink) while we decide on our food. - What would you recommend? - What are the specialities? - What are today's specials? - What wine goes well with this?/What wine matches this?

Role Play - At a Restaurant With Friends

Kevin: The spaghetti looks really good. Alice: It is! I had it the last time I was here. Peter: How is the pizza, Alice? Alice: It's good, but I think the pasta is better. What would you recommend? Waitperson: I'd recommend the lasagna. It's excellent! Alice: That sounds great. I'll have that. Waitperson: Fine. Would you like an appetizer? Alice: No, lasagna is more than enough for me! Kevin: I think I'll have the lasagna as well. Waitperson: Right. That's two lasagnas. Would you care for an appetizer? Kevin: Yes, I'll take the calamari. Peter: Oh, that sounds good! I can't decide between the chicken marsala and grilled fish. Waitperson: The fish is fresh, so I'd recommend that. Peter: Great. I'll have the fish. I'd also like a salad. Waitperson: What would you like to drink? Kevin: I'll have water. Alice: I'd like a beer. Peter: I'll take a glass of red wine. Waitperson: Thank you. I'll get the drinks and the appetizers. Kevin: Thank you.

Role Play - Dining at a Restaurant Alone

Waitperson: Hi. How are you doing this afternoon? Customer (you): Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please? Waitperson: Certainly, here you are. Customer: Thank you. What's today's special? Waitperson: Grilled tuna and cheese on rye. Customer: That sounds good. I'll have that. Waitperson: Would you like something to drink? Customer: Yes, I'd like a coke. Waitperson: Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal! Customer: Thank you. Waitperson: Can I get you anything else? Customer: No thanks. I'd like the check, please. Waitperson: That'll be $14.95. Customer: Here you are. Keep the change! Waitperson: Thank you! Have a good day! Customer: Goodbye.