Restaurant English | Commonly Used Expressions in Restaurants

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Restaurant English: Restaurant phrases encompass a wide range of terms that aid in the development of our English restaurant vocabulary. We need to know these expressions and phrases to expand our vocabulary and enhance our communication because they are frequently used in our daily lives.

This article will indeed help you increase your basic English vocabulary for restaurants which will make you feel more comfortable and confident for having conversations in English at a restaurant.

If you think restaurant English conversation is difficult for you to learn, you will no longer be in trouble as you can easily learn these useful expressions listed below in this article that are commonly used in restaurants for any kind of activity.

Restaurant English Expressions

English Expressions for Reserving a Table at the Restaurant

For the Guest

  1. I’ve reserved a table for two for 8:30 p.m.
  2. I’d like to make a two-person dinner reservation.
  3. It goes by the name of…
  4. I have a dinner reservation to make.
  5. A table for two is ideal.
  6. The reservation for Tuesday night is required.
  7. May we sit at this table if we come to your restaurant on Sunday afternoon?

For the Restaurant Staff

  1. How may I assist you?
  2. May I help you?
  3. You will be seated at a table.
  4. If you could please provide me your name, I can seat you at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
  5. At 8.30 p.m., we don’t have anything available. Is 7.30 p.m. a good time?
  6. Right now, we’re completely booked. Could you perhaps return a little later?
  7. At 7.45 p.m., I have a table for four available; please just let me know your name.
  8. Do you prefer the smoking area or the non-smoking one?
  9. Do you have a booking?
  10. Have you made a reservation?
  11. If you wait a minute, a table will become available.
  12. How many of you are there?
  13. Do you want to wait at the bar?
  14. Your table hasn’t been set yet.
  15. Sure Sir / Madam, please come in this direction.
  16. Could you please follow me?

English Expressions for Taking the Seat at the Restaurant

For the Guest

  1. Under the name of William Roberts, I reserved a table for two at 8 p.m.
  2. At 8.30 p.m., we have a dinner reservation for two.
  3. Our reservation for five people is at 7.30 p.m. under the name Jenny.
  4. We would like to get a table for three.
  5. Please set a table for two.
  6. Is it okay if we take a seat at this table?

For the Restaurant Staff

  1. Yes, of course. Please come in this direction.
  2. Could you please follow me?
  3. If you wait a moment, there will be a table available for you.
  4. Is it possible for you to wait in the bar?
  5. At this time, we are completely booked. Could you please return a little later?
  6. Our hostess will be with you shortly if you would kindly have a seat in the waiting room.
  7. Your table hasn’t been set yet.

Restaurant English 2

English Expressions for Asking About the Menu or Ordering Food

For the Guest

  1. Could you please bring us the menu?
  2. Yes, please show me the dessert menu.
  3. Thank you, but no. After the lunch, I’m stuffed.
  4. Please provide the menu.
  5. What’s on the menu this time?
  6. Is there a predetermined menu for you?
  7. Is this accompanied by a salad?
  8. Is there any seafood in this?
  9. Is there some sort of shrimp in the soup?
  10. Is the soup made with shrimp?
  11. What’s the deal with this chicken dish?
  12. Could you kindly bring the salt, pepper, ketchup, and vinegar?
  13. As a starter, I’ll have the soup.
  14. For the main course, I’ll order the alfredo pasta.
  15. Thank you very much, that’s all for now.
  16. Please give me some water.
  17. I’d like to order some tacos.
  18. Please accept my request. Could I please have a glass of cold drinks?
  19. I would like to get a strawberry smoothie.
  20. I’d like to place my food order right now.
  21. We’d like to place an order for a grilled sandwich and cold coffee.
  22. Please bring us the vegetable spaghetti and the chicken soup.
  23. Please just give me some water.
  24. Please order two coffees for us.
  25. We’d like two cups of cold coffee and two glasses of lemonades.
  26. Please give us a bit more time.
  27. What would you suggest?
  28. Is there anything you would suggest?
  29. That’s all for now.

For the Restaurant Staff

  1. Sir / Madam, may I take your order?
  2. Are you ready to place your order?
  3. Is it possible for me to take your order?
  4. Are you ready to place your order?
  5. What would you like to begin with?
  6. For a starter, what would you like?
  7. Would you like something to eat as an appetiser?
  8. Do you have anything to drink?
  9. What kind of beverage would you like to have with your meal?
  10. Would you want a glass of wine to go with that?
  11. May I offer you something to drink to begin?
  12. Do you mind if I bring you something to drink?
  13. Would you want something to drink?
  14. Can I kindly get you something to drink while you wait?
  15. Do you want any tea or coffee?
  16. Do you want it with veggies?
  17. Would you like a salad to go with it?
  18. How do you want your meat cooked?
  19. Why don’t you give the pizza a shot?
  20. For dessert, what would you like?
  21. Would you like your dessert with coffee or tea?
  22. Do you want dessert with your meal?
  23. Are you interested in seeing our dessert menu?
  24. Would you like to taste our special dessert?
  25. Would you want a dessert?
  26. Would you like to end your evening with some dessert with us?
  27. It’ll take about 15 minutes to prepare.
  28. Could you tell me what you wanted to order?
  29. Is there anything else I can get you?
  30. Is there anything else you’d want to order?

English Expressions for Complementing or Commenting on the Meal

For the Guest

  1. What a fantastic meal!
  2. I particularly enjoy the delicious chicken meal.
  3. This is one of my favourite meals.
  4. My fries have become really soggy.
  5. The vegetables have become somewhat mushy.
  6. My salad is flavourful, although it’s a little dry.
  7. For me, the waffles are far too sugary.

English Expressions for Dealing with Issues at a Restaurant

For the Guest

  1. Please accept my apologies, but I did not place this order.
  2. I’m sorry, but this is quite cold.
  3. Could you kindly give me another spoon and fork?
  4. Is it in any way possible to change my order?
  5. I’m sorry, but is it possible to modify my order?
  6. Sorry, but I believe I placed an order for custard.

For the Restaurant Staff

  1. Let me bring it to you.
  2. I sincerely apologise!
  3. I apologise for mishearing you.
  4. Please allow me to modify it for you.
  5. I am really very sorry, Sir!
  6. Please accept my sincere apologies. I’ll change it right immediately for you.

Restaurant English 1

English Expressions for Asking for a Check or Paying the Bill

For the Guest

  1. Could you kindly give me the bill?
  2. Could you kindly give us the bill?
  3. Is it possible to obtain the bill?
  4. Could we please pay?
  5. Could I please have the check?
  6. Could you kindly give me the check?
  7. We would now like to take the check.
  8. I’m willing to pay my bill.
  9. Could we please pay?
  10. I am ready to pay the check
  11. I’d like a copy of my check, please.
  12. Do you take credit cards as a form of payment?
  13. Is it possible to have separate checks?
  14. The bill will be shared between us.

For the Restaurant Staff

  1. Were you satisfied with your meal?
  2. Are you paying jointly?

Takeaway from the Article

By the close of this article, you’ll be able to confidently communicate in a restaurant setting by using words and collocations that English speakers frequently use in everyday speech. Thankfully, if you know the correct words and collocations to use for those everyday encounters and practise them often, doing the things that should be straightforward is no longer so frightening.

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