Answers to Common Restaurant Questions in English

Even if you know a lot of English, it is sometimes hard to think of answers to common questions in daily conversations. In this lesson, I will give you answers to common restaurant questions in English.

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

Going out to a restaurant is a great way to practice spoken English. Many waiters and waitresses (also called servers) in the United States and other English speaking countries are used to dealing with customers who don't speak perfect English.

Tip: If you cannot pronounce a word on the  menu, you can point to it and ask the server, "How do I say this?"

In this lesson, we will give you answers to common restaurant questions in English. These questions and answers can help you when you go out to eat at restaurants. You can use these questions and answers when traveling to English speaking countries.

For common questions and answers in everyday English, click here: Answers to Common Questions in English.

Before we start, there are a few restaurant synonyms you should know about.

Restaurant synonyms

Synonyms are words that have the same meanings. There are some words that have the same meanings in restaurants.

• waiter (male) / waitress (female) / server (male or female) / wait staff (male and female)
  
  
• spicy / hot
  
  
• beverage / drink
  
  
• chef / cook
  
  
• the bill / the check
  
  
• appetizer / starter / hors d'oeuvre
  
  
• entree / main course / food / dinner / main dish
  
  

Restaurant Questions and Answers

How many?

The server wants to know how many people are in your group.

• Four, please.
  
  
• Two adults and two children.
  
  
• Three plus a booster seat / high chair.
  
  (A booster seat or high chair is used for a toddler or baby.)
  
  

Are you ready to order?

"To order" means to tell the server what meal you want to eat.

• Yes.
  
  
• We need a few more minutes.
  
  
• We have a few questions.
  
  
• What is the special today?
  
  
• What would you recommend?
  
  

When you are ready to order, use these sentences:

• I'd like the __________, please.
  
  
• For starters, I'll have the soup. For the main course, I'd like the steak and shrimp.
  
  
• Can I have a baked potato instead of fries, please?
  
  
• I would like the _________ without ________.
  

What would you like to drink?

• Just water, please.
  
  
• I would like water with a lemon.
  
  
• Iced tea / coffee / soda (say the name of the type of soda)
  
  
• Can we see the wine list?
  
  
• What kind of drinks do you have?

Do you need some more time?

The server wants to know if you need more time to look at the menu before you order.

• Yes, please.
  
  
• No, we are ready to order.
  
  
• Just a few minutes, please.
  
  

Would you like any appetizers?

Appetizers are small snacks that you eat before the main meal. 

• Yes, please bring me ___________.
  
  
• No, thank you.
  
  
• What appetizers do you have?

Is everything okay?

The server wants to know if your food tastes good or if you need anything else.

• It is perfect.
  
  
• Everything is fine. Thank you.
  
  
• The food is good!
  
  
• Can I have some more water / tea / coffee?
  
  
• Can I have a refill? ("Refill" is another way to ask for another drink. It means you want the server to re-fill your cup.)
  
  
• Could we have some more bread, please?
  
  
• Can I have some catsup / salad dressing / sauce?
  
  

If you have any concerns or complaints, make eye contact with your server and explain the problem. Smile and be polite. Your server wants to help you.

• This steak is not cooked enough. Can you please cook it longer?
  
  
• My food is a little cold. Can you please heat it up?
  
  
• I am still waiting for my drink / side dish / food.
  
  
• This isn't what I ordered. I ordered _________.
  
  

Did you save room for dessert?

• No, thank you. I am full.
  
  
• Yes, please. Can I see a list?
  
  
• Can I see the dessert menu?
  
  
• Not today. Thank you.
  
  

Can I get you anything else?

The server will usually ask this at the end of the meal. The server wants to know if you need any more food or drink. If you are finished, you can ask for the check or bill. 

• No, thank you.
  
  
• I'm ready for the bill, please.
  
  
• Yes, can I have some coffee?
  
  
• Yes, can I see a dessert menu?
  
  
• Please bring me a doggie-bag or to-go box.
  (This is a bag or box for your leftover food, so you can take it home.)

You can use this guide to practice English at a restaurant. For answers to common questions in everyday English, click here: Answers to Common Questions in English.

See also: Ordering a Meal in English: Tips, Examples, and Practice

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