Restaurant English: practice the conversation

A restaurant conversation in English follows the same five steps almost everywhere: getting a table, ordering drinks, ordering food, asking for things during the meal, and paying. About twenty phrases cover all of it, and the most important habit is to ask politely (“I’d like…”, “Could I get…”) instead of saying “I want”. Use the scenes above to practice each step, then read the dialogue and phrase lists below.

A sample restaurant conversation

Here is a complete, everyday conversation at a casual restaurant in the US. The notes on the right explain the phrases worth copying.

Speaker	Line	Why it works
Host	Hi there! How many in your party?	“Party” means your group.
You	Just two, please. Do you have a table by the window?	Answer with the number, then ask for what you want.
Server	Sure, right this way. Can I get you something to drink while you look at the menu?	Drinks usually come first.
You	I’ll have a sparkling water, and she’d like an iced tea.	“I’ll have” is the most natural way to order.
Server	Great. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?
You	Could we have a couple more minutes, please?	Polite way to ask for time.
Server	Of course. Today’s special is grilled salmon with rice.
You	What comes with the burger?	Ask about sides this way.
Server	Fries or a side salad.
You	I’ll go with the burger and a side salad, please. Could I get it without onions?	“Without” and “on the side” handle most changes.
Server	No problem. How would you like it cooked?	Only asked for burgers and steak.
You	Medium, please.	Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done.
Server	How is everything?	Servers check in once or twice.
You	It’s great, thanks. Could we get some more water when you have a moment?	“When you have a moment” sounds friendly, not pushy.
You	Excuse me, could we have the check, please?	“Check” in the US, “bill” in the UK.
Server	Will that be together or separate?
You	Separate, please. Can I pay by card?

Key phrases, step by step

Getting a table

• “Hi, a table for two, please.”
• “We have a reservation under Garcia.” (Use your last name.)
• “Could we sit outside?” / “Do you have anything by the window?”
• What you’ll hear: “Do you have a reservation?”, “Inside or outside?”, “It’ll be about a fifteen-minute wait.”

Ordering

• “Could I see the menu, please?”
• “What do you recommend?”
• “I’ll have the chicken salad.” / “I’d like the soup to start.”
• “Could I get the dressing on the side?”
• “Does this have any nuts in it? I’m allergic.” Say the allergy clearly; it is the one request that should never be vague.
• What you’ll hear: “Anything else?”, “Would you like anything to drink with that?”, “Soup or salad with that?”

During the meal

• “Excuse me, could we get some more bread?”
• “Sorry, I ordered the pasta, not the pizza.”
• “This is a bit cold. Could you warm it up, please?”
• “Could I get a box for this?” (to take leftovers home, common in the US)

Paying

• “Could we have the check, please?” (US) / “Could we have the bill, please?” (UK)
• “Can we pay separately?” / “Can we split it?”
• “Do you take cards?”
• “Keep the change.”

“I want” sounds rude: use these instead

In many languages “I want” is a normal way to order. In English it sounds demanding, especially to a server. Replace it with one of these, from most to least formal:

Instead of	Say
I want a coffee.	I’d like a coffee, please.
Give me the steak.	Could I have the steak, please?
I want the burger.	I’ll have the burger. / I’ll go with the burger.
Bring the bill.	Could we have the bill, please?

“Can I get…” is very common in American restaurants and perfectly polite in a casual place. In a formal restaurant, “Could I have…” or “I’d like…” is safer.

Common mistakes learners make

• “Waiter!” or snapping fingers. Make eye contact, raise your hand slightly, and say “Excuse me”.
• “The food was very delicious.” “Delicious” already means very tasty. Say “It was delicious” or “It was really good”.
• “Can I make an order?” Just say “We’re ready to order” or “Could I order, please?”
• “I am finish.” Say “I’m finished” or “I’m done”, and the server may ask “Are you still working on that?”
• “The carta” or “the card”. In English it is “the menu”. A “wine list” is the separate menu of wines.
• “How much is it cost?” The question is “How much is it?” or “How much does it cost?”

US and UK restaurant words

United States	United Kingdom
check	bill
appetizer	starter
entrée (the main dish)	main (course)
fries	chips
chips	crisps
to go	takeaway / to take away
restroom	toilets
server	waiter / waitress

Tipping also differs. In the US, servers depend on tips, so leaving one is expected at a sit-down restaurant. In the UK a service charge is often already added to the bill, so check the bill before you leave extra.

If you work in a restaurant

If you are a server, a host or a bartender, the conversation is the same, but you lead it. These are the lines you will use on every shift:

• “Hi, welcome in! How many 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?”
• “Does anyone have any allergies I should know about?”
• “How would you like that cooked?”
• “I’m so sorry about that. Let me get that fixed for you right away.”
• “Can I get you anything else?”
• “Here’s your check. I’ll take that whenever you’re ready.”

Choose the You are the waiter scene above to practice them. The AI plays a customer who asks about the menu, mentions an allergy and changes their mind, so you have to handle it.

How to get the most out of the practice chat

1. Say it before you type it. Answer out loud first, then type what you said. Press the speaker button to hear the AI’s line read aloud.
2. Repeat a scene with a new goal. Order again, but this time ask for a change to your dish, or split the bill three ways.
3. Move up a level when the scene feels easy. At advanced level the AI speaks faster and uses more natural expressions.
4. Practice in another language if you are traveling: switch the language to Spanish or French and run the same scene.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you order food politely in English?

Use “I’ll have…”, “I’d like…” or “Could I have…, please?” instead of “I want…”. For example: “I’ll have the chicken salad, please.” Add “please” and “thank you”, and ask for changes with “Could I get it without…?”

What do you say when you arrive at a restaurant?

Say how many people are in your group and whether you booked: “Hi, a table for two, please” or “We have a reservation under Smith.” The host may ask “Inside or outside?” or tell you how long the wait is.

How do you ask for the bill in English?

Say “Could we have the check, please?” in the US or “Could we have the bill, please?” in the UK. To pay separately, add “Can we pay separately?” or “Can we split it?”

How do you tell a waiter about a food allergy?

Be direct and specific: “I’m allergic to nuts. Does this dish have any nuts in it?” If you are not sure, ask “Can the kitchen make it without nuts?” Mention it when you order, not after the food arrives.

Can I practice being the waiter instead of the customer?

Yes. Choose the “You are the waiter” scene and the AI plays a customer. You greet them, take the order, answer questions about the menu and deal with an allergy and a change of mind.

Is the AI waiter free to use?

Yes. You can practice without an account. Each scene allows up to 20 replies, and you can start a new scene at any time.

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