Compilation of 8 common English conversations in restaurants

English vocabulary for the restaurant topic

Meaning

Example

Reservation

/ˌrɛzərˈveɪʃən/

(n)

an arrangement in which something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant is kept for you

We made a reservation at the restaurant for 7 p.m. 

Menu

/ˈmɛnjuː/

(n)

a list of the food that you can eat in a restaurant

The menu offers a variety of options, from appetizers to desserts. 

Appetizer

/ˈæpɪˌtaɪzər/

(n)

a small amount of food eaten before a meal

We started our meal with some delicious appetizers. 

Entrée

/ˈɑːntreɪ/

(n)

the main dish of a meal

For my entrée, I ordered grilled salmon. 

Dessert

/dɪˈzɜːrt/

(n)

sweet food eaten at the end of a meal

Don't forget to save room for dessert! 

Waiter

/ˈweɪtər/

(n)

a man whose job is to bring the food to customers at their tables in a restaurant

The waiter took our drink orders as soon as we were seated.

Waitress

/ˈweɪtrəs/

(n)

a woman whose job is to bring the food to customers at their tables in a restaurant

The waitress brought us some bread while we looked at the menu. 

Check

/tʃɛk/

(n)

a bill in a restaurant, etc.

Can we have the check, please? 

Tip

/tɪp/

(n)

a small amount of money given to someone who has provided you with a service, in addition to the official payment and for their personal use

It's customary to leave a tip for good service. 

Special

/ˈspɛʃəl/

(Adj)

a dish that is available in a restaurant on a particular day that is not usually available

The chef's special tonight is a seafood risotto. 

Cuisine

/kwɪˈzin/

(n)

a style of cooking

The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine.

Reservation

/ˌrɛzərˈveɪʃən/

(n)

an arrangement in which something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant is kept for you

We made a reservation at the restaurant for 7 p.m. 

Host

/hoʊst/

(n)

someone who has guests

The host greeted us warmly and showed us to our table. 

Atmosphere

/ˈætməsfɪr/

(n)

a mixture of gasses that surrounds any planet

The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere with dim lighting and soft music. 

Seating

/ˈsitɪŋ/

(n)

the seats that are provided in a place

The host asked if we preferred indoor or outdoor seating. 

English communication phrases for the restaurant topic

Welcome to our restaurant. Do you have a reservation?

How many people are in your party?

Can I start you off with something to drink?

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

What would you like to start with?

Are you ready to order your main course?

How would you like your steak cooked?

Can I bring you anything else, or are you ready for the check?

Yes, I have a reservation under Mr.Smith.

I'm ready to order.

Could we have some extra bread?

We'd like to see the dessert menu!

We're ready for the check, please.

Is the service charge included in the bill?

Thank you, we had a wonderful meal. Goodbye!

English conversations in restaurants

• Customer: Good afternoon, I'd like to make a reservation for dinner tonight.

• Hostess: Of course, how many people will be at your party?

• Customer: There will be four of us.

• Hostess: And what time would you like the reservation for?

• Customer: Around 7 pm if possible.

• Hostess: Great, we have availability at 7 p.m. I'll go ahead and reserve a table for you. May I have your name, please?

• Customer: Yes, it's Sarah Smith.

• Hostess: Thank you, Ms. Smith. Your reservation for four at 7 p.m. is confirmed. We look forward to seeing you tonight.

• Customer: Thank you very much.

English conversations in restaurants

• Hostess: Good evening and welcome to our restaurant. Do you have a reservation?

• Customer: Yes, I do. It's under the name John Doe.

• Hostess: Wonderful, right this way Mr. Doe. Your table is ready.

• Customer: Thank you.

English conversations in restaurants

• Waiter: Good evening, folks. Are you ready to order?

• Customer: Yes, I'll have grilled salmon with roasted vegetables, please.

• Waiter: And for you, sir?

• Customer's Friend: I'll go for the Rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes.

• Waiter: Excellent choices. Anything to drink with your meals?

• Customer: I'll have a glass of Chardonnay, please.

• Customer's Friend: I'll just have water, thank you.

• Waiter: Perfect, I'll get that started for you right away.

English conversations in restaurants

• Customer: Excuse me, how does spicy lobster taste?

• Waiter: This dish includes the main ingredients: lobster, chili powder, butter. When you first eat this dish, it will be a bit spicy in your mouth, but after a while it will be very fragrant and delicious.

• Customer: Wow, what about “bruschetta”? can you tell me what it is?

• Waiter: Of course. Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with diced tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.

• Customer: Thank you for explaining. Please, I want to order “bruschetta”.

• Waiter: I got it.

English conversations in restaurants

• Waiter: Good afternoon. Can I start you off with any drinks?

• Peter: Yes, I'll have a mojito, please.

• Waiter: And for you, ma'am?

• Susan: I'll have a gin and tonic, please.

• Waiter: Certainly, I'll get those for you right away.

• Waiter: Here are your drinks. Have a good appetite!

• Peter & Susan: Thank you so much.

English conversations in restaurants

• Waiter: Here is your well done steak. Have a good appetite!

• Customer: I'm sorry, but I ordered my steak medium-rare, not well done.

• Waiter: I apologize for the mistake. I'll take it back to the kitchen and have them prepare a new one for you immediately.

• Customer: Thank you.

• Waiter: Here is your medium-rare steak. Have a good appetite!

• Customer: So good. Thank you

• Waiter: You are welcome.

English conversations in restaurants

• Waiter: Are you ready for the check?

• Customer: Yes, please.

• Waiter: Here you go. Your total bill is $150. Do you want to pay cash or card?

• Customer: I want to pay cash.

• Waiter: Do you have a point card?

• Customer: I don’t.

• Waiter: This is a points card. If you come to our store next time, you will receive a 5% discount on your total bill.

• Customer: I got it. Thank you.

English conversations in restaurants

• Customer: Excuse me, but I wanted to give some feedback about the beef stew in red wine sauce I had tonight. It was incredibly spicy and a bit tough.

• Waiter: I'm terribly sorry to hear that, sir. Let me apologize on behalf of the restaurant.

• Customer: Not a big problem. I just want to give feedback so your restaurant can learn from it next time.

• Waiter: As a gesture of our apology, we would like to offer you a discount voucher for your next meal with us. Would that be acceptable?

• Customer: Yes, that would be great.