English Language Practice: Ordering at a Restaurant

Dining at a Restaurant Alone

This dialogue includes most of the basic questions you'll need to know when going to a
restaurant alone. Practice it with a friend.

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.
At a Restaurant With Friends

Next, use this dialogue to practice speaking at a restaurant when eating with friends. The
dialogue includes questions to help you choose what to eat. For this role-play, you'll need
three people instead of two.

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. 

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Key Vocabulary and Phrases

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

 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?
 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.

There are a number of phrases used when drinking at a bar or pub, or in a private home. Here
are some of the most common to start off the evening:

 Cheers!
 Here's to your health.
 Bottoms up (informal, used with shots)
 Prost/Salut (sometimes people use foreign expressions with the same meaning)

These are more idiomatic ways to say "Cheers" 

 Here's mud in your eye.

 Here's to your health.
 Down the hatch.
 Bottom's up!

Toasting Someone or Something

It's also common to use the phrase 'Here's to ...' or 'A toast to ...' and include the name of the
person or thing you are toasting. In more formal occasions, we also use the phrase 'I'd like to
make a toast to ...' and include the name of the person or thing you are toasting, as well as
include a wish beginning with 'May he/she/it...'.

 Person 1: Here's to our new contract!

 Person 2: Here, here!
 Person 1: A toast to Mary!

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  Person 2: Cheers!
 Person 1: I'd like to make a toast to Jim. May he live long and prosper!
 Person 2: May he live long and prosper!

Idiomatic Phrases 

There are a number of idiomatic phrases that are used when drinking (of course!). A number
of these expressions are slang, others are more common.

 Be on the wagon = to not be drinking, trying not to drink alcohol 

 Be pissed as a newt = to be very drunk
 Paint the town red = to go to different bars, drink and have a good time in a city
 Wet your whistle = to have a drink
 Be three sheets to the wind = to be very drunk
 Be under the influence = to feel the alcohol, usually meaning to be drunk

Examples

 Let's paint the town red tonight.

 I'm afraid I'm on the wagon this week. I need to lose some weight.
 I'd like to wet my whistle. Is there a bar anywhere near here?

How to Say Someone Is Drunk

Any of these words below can be used to describe someone who is very drunk. Tipsy, on the
other hand, means to feel the alcohol, but not be very drunk:

 Plastered
 Hammered
 Wasted
 Pissed
 Inebriated

Examples

 Jim was plastered at the party last night.

 Don't come home pissed!
 Wow, man, you're hammered!
 I'm feeling a little tipsy tonight.

Other Words For Drinking

 To quaff = to drink (old fashioned)

 To gulp = to drink very quickly often used with beer
 To drink like a fish = to drink a lot of alcohol
 To sip = to take small drinks of something, often used with wine or cocktails 

Examples

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  He quaffed his drink while chatting with his mates.
 I gulped down a beer after I finished mowing the lawn.
 Jim drinks like a fish.

Acronyms

 DUI = Driving Under the Influence, used as a criminal charge 

 BYOB = Bring Your Own Bottle, used when telling someone to bring alcohol to a
party 

Examples

 Peter was arrested on a DUI.

 The party is BYOB, so bring anything you want to drink.

Other Words Used With Alcohol

 When ordering wine, you can ask for a glass of red, white, or rose.
 A cocktail is a mixed drink, often made with strong liquor and fruit juice or another
mixer.
 Liquor is strong alcohol such as vodka, gin, or tequila.
 A house or well drink is a cheaper brand sold by the bar or restaurant
 Pint is a measurement used with beer
 A shot is used with straight alcohol, not mixed.
 Draft beer is pulled from the tap, as opposed to coming from a bottle or a can.
 Booze/hair of the dog / the sauce are all idiomatic names for hard liquor
 Hangover refers to the headache a person gets the morning after drinking heavily.

A Practice Dialog Between a Bartender and a Customer

After a stressful day, Mr. Jackson relaxes at the bar. The bartender, Mark, responds to a few
complaints while he serves Mr. Jackson his favorite cocktail.

 Mr. Jackson: Bartender, could I have a drink? What's taking so long?!

 Bartender: Excuse me, sir. Yes, what can I get you?
 Mr. Jackson: I'd like a whiskey sour.
 Bartender: Certainly sir, I'll get that straight away.
 Mr. Jackson: What a day! My feet are aching! Where's an ashtray?!
 Bartender: Here you go sir. Did you have a busy day?
 Mr. Jackson: Yes, I had to walk all over town to get to meetings. I'm exhausted.
 Bartender: I'm sorry to hear that, sir. Here's your drink. That should help.
 Mr. Jackson: (takes a long sip) That's what I needed. Much better. Do you have any
snacks?
 Bartender: Certainly, here are some peanuts and some savory crackers, and a napkin.
 Mr. Jackson: Could I have a stir stick?
 Bartender: Coming up... Here you are.
 Mr. Jackson: Thanks. You know, I'm sorry to say this, but these snacks are awful.
 Bartender: I'm terribly sorry about that, sir. What seems to be the matter?
 Mr. Jackson: The peanuts are stale!

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  Bartender: I apologize sir, I'll open a fresh can immediately.
 Mr. Jackson: Thanks. Sorry to be in such a bad mood.
 Bartender: That's quite alright. Can I get you another drink? This one's on the house.
 Mr. Jackson: That's kind of you. Yes, I'll have another whiskey sour.
 Bartender: Right away, sir. Do you have any preferences on the whiskey?
 Mr. Jackson: Hmmm, what's that bottle over there?
 Bartender: That's Jack Daniel's, aged 12 years.
 Mr. Jackson: That sounds good. I'd also like to smoke. Is that possible?
 Bartender: Unfortunately, we don't allow smoking in the bar. You'll have to step
outside.
 Mr. Jackson: No worries. I can wait. So how long have you worked at this bar?
 Bartender: It's been about three years now. I love the challenges of this job.

Vocabulary for Shopping in English

Use polite questions when shopping or helping a customer in a shop. Polite questions are

asked with 'could', 'may', and 'would'. You can also ask for advice in shops using 'should'.

Shopping for a Sweater

Shop assistant: May I help you?
Customer: Yes, I'm looking for a sweater.
Shop assistant: What size are you?
Customer: I'm an extra large.
Shop assistant: Would you like a plain sweater or something else?
Customer: I'm looking for a plain blue sweater.
Shop assistant: How about this one?
Customer: Yes, that's nice. Could I try it on?
Shop assistant: Certainly, the changing rooms are over there.
Customer: Thank you. (goes into a changing room to try on the sweater)
Shop assistant: How does it fit?
Customer: It's too large. Do you have a large?
Shop assistant: Yes, here you are. Would you like to try it on to see if it fits?
Customer: No that's Okay. Thank you. I'll take it. I'm also looking for some nice slacks.
Shop assistant: Great. We have some very nice wool slacks over here. Would you like to take
a look?
Customer: Yes, thanks for your help. 
Shop assistant: What are your measurements?
Customer: I'm a 38'' waist and a 32" inseam.
Shop assistant: What do you think about these?
Customer: They're nice, but I'd prefer cotton trousers if you have them.
Shop assistant: Certainly, our summer slacks collection is over here. How about these?
Customer: Yes, I like those. Do you have them in grey as well?
Shop assistant: Yes, here's a pair. You said you the measurements are 38" by 32", didn't you?
Customer: Yes, that's correct. I'll go try them on.
Shop assistant: Let me know if you need any help.
Customer: Thank you. (comes back) These are great. So, that makes one sweater and a pair of
grey slacks.
Shop assistant: OK, how would you like to pay?
Customer: Do you take credit cards?

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Shop assistant: Yes, we do. Visa, Master Card, and American Express.
Customer: OK, here's my Visa.
Shop assistant: Thank you. Have a nice day!
Customer: Thank you, goodbye.
Key Vocabulary
Phrases

 Could / May I help you?

 Could I try it (them) on?
 How does it fit?
 How would you like to pay?
 I'm looking for...
 I'd prefer...

Words

 Changing rooms
 Size - extra small, small, medium, large, extra large - Used with standard
measurements
 Measurements - used with specific measurements for trousers, suits, etc. 
 Shop assistant/store clerk
 Trousers/Slacks/Pants
 Waist 
 Inseam 
 Credit cards

Quiz

Provide the missing word to fill in the gaps to complete this conversation with a store clerk. 

Store clerk: Hello, _____ I help you find anything?

Customer: Yes, I'm looking _____ a blouse and some matching trousers.
Store clerk: Great. What _____ would you like?
Customer: I'm _____ for a white blouse and black trousers. They're for an important job
interview.
Store clerk: Okay. Please follow me to the business apparel section.
Customer: Thanks for your help.
Store clerk: It's my pleasure. Do you see anything you like?
Customer: Yes, that blouse looks nice.
Store clerk: What _____ are you?
Customer: I'm a small. Now, let's take a look at the pants.
Store clerk: These are nice. Would you like to _____ them on?
Customer: Do you have anything else?
Store clerk: Yes, we also have these trousers.
Customer: I like those, I'll try those _____ .
Store clerk: What are your _____ ?
Customer: I have a 26" waist and 32" inseam.
Store clerk: Here's a pair. Would you like to try them on?
Customer: Yes, where's the _____ ?

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 Store clerk: You can try them on over there.
Customer: Thank you. (tries the clothing on, walks out of the changing room to show the
store clerk) What do you think?
Store clerk: You look fantastic! I'm sure you'll get that job!
Customer: Thanks! I'll take them.
Store clerk: Would you like to _____ by cash or by credit card?
Customer: _____ , please. Here's my visa card.
Store clerk: Thank you. That will be $145.
Answers

 May/could/can
 For
 Color
 Size
 Try
 On
 Measurements
 Changing room
 Pay
 Credit card

ESL Quiz: Eating at a Restaurant

1. Customer: "Good afternoon. Could I see a __________, please?"

 menu
 napkin
 glass
2. Customer: "Everything looks good. What would you __________?"
 get
 ask
 recommend
3. Waitperson: "One of our __________ is the fresh trout."
 good fish
 specialties
 things
4. Waitperson: "Would you __________ an appetizer?"
 have
 like
 eat
5. Customer: "I'd ________ a glass of sparkling water, please."
 like to order

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 want
 need
6. Waitperson: "Did you __________ your meal?"
 want
 eat
 enjoy
7. Customer: "Could you bring me the __________, please?"
 bill
