How to Order Food in a Restaurant in English

Quick Answer: To order food in English, use I'd like..., Could I have... or I'll have..., and add please: I'd like the soup, please. Avoid I want or Give me, which sound rude. At the end, ask for the bill in British English or the check in American English.

Key takeaways

• Book with I'd like to book a table for two at eight, please (US: make a reservation).
• A starter (UK) is an appetizer (US); in American English an entree is the main course.
• Steak is ordered rare, medium-rare, medium or well-done.
• State allergies directly: I'm allergic to peanuts. Does this contain any nuts?
• Complain softly with I'm afraid or Sorry, but: I'm afraid this is cold.
• Fast food staff ask For here or to go? (US) or Eat in or take away? (UK).

How do you book a table in English?

On the phone or in person:

• "I'd like to book a table for two, please." (US: "make a reservation")
• "Do you have a table for four at eight o'clock?"
• "Is it possible to sit outside?"
• "The reservation is under the name Yilmaz."

When you arrive without a booking:

• "Hi, do you have a table for three?"
• "How long is the wait?"

The host may say: "Do you have a reservation?", "Right this way" or "Follow me, please."

What do the words on an English menu mean?

Word	Meaning
starter (UK) / appetizer (US)	a small first course
main course (UK) / entree (US)	the main dish
side / side dish	extra food like fries or salad
dessert	a sweet course at the end
specials	dishes available only today
vegetarian / vegan	no meat / no animal products
gluten-free	without wheat gluten

Note that in American English, entree means the main course, while in some other places it means a starter.

Questions about the menu:

• "What do you recommend?"
• "What's in the curry?"
• "Is this dish spicy?"
• "Does it come with a salad?"
• "What are today's specials?"
• "Do you have any vegetarian options?"

How do you order food politely?

The waiter usually starts with drinks: "Can I get you something to drink?"

Polite ways to order:

Phrase	Level
I'd like the soup, please.	polite, standard
Could I have the steak, please?	polite
Can I get a cola, please?	casual, very common in the US
I'll have the fish.	natural, common
For me, the pasta, please.	natural in a group

Avoid "I want the chicken" and "Give me a water". They sound rude in English. For why, read how to make polite requests in English and can and could for requests.

Specific requests:

• "How would you like your steak?" - "Medium, please." (rare, medium-rare, medium, well-done)
• "Could I have the dressing on the side?"
• "No onions, please."
• "Can I swap the fries for a salad?"

Allergies and dietary needs

Be clear and direct:

• "I'm allergic to peanuts. Does this contain any nuts?"
• "I'm vegetarian. Is the soup made with meat stock?"
• "I can't eat gluten."
• "Is this dairy-free?"

During the meal

The waiter may check: "How is everything?" or "Is everything okay with your meal?"

• "Everything is delicious, thanks."
• "Could we have some more bread, please?"
• "Could I have another glass of water?"
• "Excuse me, could we see the dessert menu?"

How do you complain politely in a restaurant?

English speakers usually complain softly, with "I'm afraid" or "I'm sorry, but".

• "Excuse me, I'm afraid this is cold."
• "Sorry, but I ordered the chicken, not the fish."
• "I think there's a mistake on the bill."
• "We've been waiting for quite a long time. Is our food coming soon?"

How do you ask for the bill?

• "Could we have the bill, please?" (UK)
• "Could we get the check, please?" (US)
• "Can we pay separately?" or "Can we split the bill?"
• "Can I pay by card?"
• "Keep the change."

Tipping customs differ. In the US, tipping restaurant servers is a strong social expectation. In the UK, a service charge is sometimes added to the bill, so check before tipping. When in doubt, you can ask: "Is service included?"

Cafes and fast food

• "For here or to go?" (US) / "Eat in or take away?" (UK)
• "What size?" - "Small, medium or large?"
• "Anything else?" - "No, that's all, thanks."

Full sample dialogue

• Waiter: Good evening. Are you ready to order?
• You: Almost. What do you recommend?
• Waiter: The grilled salmon is very popular.
• You: Great, I'll have the salmon, please. Does it come with vegetables?
• Waiter: Yes, with roasted vegetables and rice. Anything to drink?
• You: Could I have a glass of sparkling water, please?
• Waiter: Of course.
• ...
• Waiter: How was everything?
• You: Delicious, thank you. Could we have the bill, please?

What mistakes do learners make when ordering?

1. "I want a coffee." - say I'd like a coffee, please.
2. "Can I have the menu card?" - just the menu.
3. "The account, please." - say the bill (UK) or the check (US).
4. "I am vegetarian, without meat." - I'm vegetarian is enough.
5. Saying nothing when the food is wrong - polite complaints are normal.

Practice

Put the words in order.

1. like / I'd / soup / the / please
2. have / could / the / I / bill
3. recommend / do / what / you
4. allergic / I'm / nuts / to

Answers: 1. I'd like the soup, please. 2. Could I have the bill? 3. What do you recommend? 4. I'm allergic to nuts.

Before your trip, review food and drink vocabulary and our guide to English for travel. Then practice real restaurant dialogues in the A2 English course.

People Also Ask

What is the most polite way to order food in English?

Use I'd like... or Could I have..., and add please. For example: I'd like the chicken salad, please, or Could I have a glass of water, please?

How do you ask for the bill in English?

Say Could we have the bill, please? in British English or Could we get the check, please? in American English. You can also make a writing gesture in the air to catch the waiter's eye.

How do I tell a waiter about a food allergy?

Say I'm allergic to nuts or I have a nut allergy, then ask Does this dish contain nuts? Be direct and clear, because staff need exact information.

What does for here or to go mean?

It is a question in American cafes and fast-food places. For here means you eat inside; to go means you take the food away. In British English the question is Eat in or take away?

Related Reading

• Food and Drink Vocabulary
• How to Make Polite Requests in English
• English for Travel: The Essential Guide
• Can and Could: Ability, Requests and Permission