Ordering Food and Drinks at a Restaurant

Emma: Hello and welcome to the LexUnio podcast, your friendly place to practice English.

Ben: I'm Ben, and today we talk about ordering food and drinks at a restaurant.

Emma: That's right. In this first part we focus on greetings and getting seated.

Ben: Let's imagine we just walked into a small café.

Emma: Excuse me, is there a table for two?

Ben: Yes, please follow me.

Emma: Thank you. This looks nice.

Ben: You’re welcome. Here is a menu.

Emma: May I have a water, please?

Ben: Of course. Still or sparkling?

Emma: Still, please.

Ben: One still water, coming right away.

Emma: Thank you. Could we have a few minutes to look at the menu?

Ben: Absolutely. Take your time.

Emma: The menu looks simple. I see salads, sandwiches, and soups.

Ben: Yes, they also have coffee and tea.

Emma: Do you know what the soup of the day is?

Ben: Let me check. It’s tomato basil.

Emma: That sounds good. And the chicken sandwich?

Ben: The chicken sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

Emma: Great. I think I’ll have the chicken sandwich and a side of fries.

Ben: Good choice. And would you like any sauce with the fries?

Emma: Yes, please. Do you have ketchup?

Ben: We have ketchup and mayo.

Emma: I’ll take ketchup, thank you.

Ben: No problem.

Emma: What about you, Ben?

Ben: I’ll have the vegetable soup and a cup of tea, please.

Emma: Do you want milk in your tea?

Ben: Yes, a little milk, thanks.

Emma: Should we tell the waiter our order now?

Ben: Yes, let’s call the waiter.

Emma: Excuse me!

Ben: Hi, could we order, please?

Emma: I’d like a chicken sandwich with fries and ketchup, and a still water.

Ben: And I’d like the vegetable soup, a cup of tea with a little milk, and a glass of sparkling water.

Waiter: Certainly. Anything else?

Emma: No, that’s all for now, thank you.

Waiter: I’ll bring your drinks right away.

Ben: Thank you.

Emma: While we wait, let’s talk about how to ask for a table.

Ben: Good idea. A common phrase is “Do you have a table for two?”

Emma: Or “Is there a table available?”

Ben: Yes, both work.

Emma: If the restaurant is busy, you can say “Is there a waiting list?”

Ben: And if you want a specific seat, you can ask “Can we sit by the window?”

Emma: That’s useful. What about when you want a booth?

Ben: You can say “Do you have a booth?”

Emma: Sometimes the host will say “Right this way.”

Ben: That means they will show you to the table.

Emma: When you get the menu, it’s polite to say “Thank you.”

Ben: And if you need more time, you can say “Could we have a few more minutes, please?”

Emma: The waiter will usually reply “Sure, take your time.”

Ben: If you’re ready, you can say “We’re ready to order.”

Emma: It’s also nice to say “May I have some water, please?”

Ben: Or “Could I get a glass of water?” Both are polite.

Emma: When you want still water, you can specify “still” or “sparkling.”

Ben: Right. And if you want a specific size, you can ask “Can I have a small coffee?”

Emma: Let’s practice a short conversation. I’ll be the customer, you be the host.

Ben: Okay, go ahead.

Emma: Hello, do you have a table for one?

Ben: Yes, please follow me.

Emma: Thank you. May I see the menu?

Ben: Here you are.

Emma: Could I have a glass of water, please?

Ben: Still or sparkling?

Emma: Still, please.

Ben: Coming right away.

Emma: Thank you. I’ll need a few minutes.

Ben: No problem, take your time.

Emma: That was smooth.

Ben: Yes, short sentences and polite words help a lot.

Emma: Let’s move on. When the waiter brings the menu, they might say “Here you are.”

Ben: And you can reply “Thank you.”

Emma: If you don’t understand a dish, you can ask “What is this?”

Ben: Or “Can you explain the ingredients?”

Emma: Good tip. Also, if you have a dietary restriction, you can say “I’m allergic to nuts.”

Ben: And ask “Is this dish nut‑free?”

Emma: Great. Now, before we finish this section, let’s recap the key phrases.

Ben: “Do you have a table for…?”

Emma: “Is there a table available?”

Ben: “Can we sit by the window?”

Emma: “May I have a glass of water, please?”

Ben: “Still or sparkling?”

Emma: “Could we have a few more minutes?”

Ben: “We’re ready to order.”

Emma: Those are the basics for greetings and getting seated.

Ben: In the next part we will talk about ordering the main course and desserts.

Emma: Stay with us, and keep practicing your English.

Ben: Thanks for listening to LexUnio. See you in the next episode!

Emma: Alright, Ben, we’re at a restaurant now. Let’s look at the menu together.

Ben: Yes, the menu is the first thing we need to understand.

Emma: The menu is divided into sections. See “Starters”, “Mains”, “Desserts”, and “Drinks”.

Ben: I like to start with the starters. What do you think?

Emma: I see a “Tomato Soup” and a “Caesar Salad”. The soup says “served with croutons”.

Ben: That sounds good. And the salad has “grilled chicken” on it.

Emma: If you’re not sure about an ingredient, you can ask the waiter.

Ben: Right. How would we ask?

Emma: You could say, “Excuse me, what is in the Caesar salad?”

Ben: Simple. Or “What does the tomato soup contain?”

Emma: Exactly. It’s always polite to say “excuse me” first.

Ben: I also see a “Veggie Burger”. It says “with cheese”. I’m a vegetarian, so I need to ask about the cheese.

Emma: Good point. You could ask, “Is the cheese dairy‑free?”

Ben: Or “Do you have a vegan cheese option?”

Emma: Yes, those are clear questions.

Ben: Let’s move to the mains. There are many choices.

Emma: I see “Grilled Salmon”, “Chicken Alfredo”, and “Spaghetti Bolognese”.

Ben: The salmon says “served with lemon butter sauce”. That sounds tasty.

Emma: The chicken Alfredo says “creamy sauce”. If you’re lactose intolerant, you might need to ask.

Ben: How would you phrase that?

Emma: “Can you tell me if the Alfredo sauce contains dairy?”

Ben: Or “Is the sauce made with cream?”

Emma: Both work. Also, look at the side dishes. Some menus list “fries”, “steamed vegetables”, or “rice”.

Ben: The spaghetti Bolognese says “with a side of garlic bread”. That’s nice.

Emma: If you want a different side, you can ask, “Can I have a salad instead of garlic bread?”

Ben: Good. Now, the drinks section. There are “soft drinks”, “juices”, “coffee”, and “tea”.

Emma: I see “Fresh Orange Juice”, “Apple Juice”, “Cola”, and “Sparkling Water”.

Ben: I prefer a non‑alcoholic drink. How do we ask for a recommendation?

Emma: You could say, “What do you recommend for a refreshing drink?”

Ben: That’s polite. Also, sometimes the menu has a “Specials” board.

Emma: Yes, today’s special is “Grilled Chicken Wrap”. It says “served with sweet chili sauce”.

Ben: If I’m not sure about the sauce, I can ask, “How spicy is the sweet chili sauce?”

Emma: Exactly. You can also ask about portion size.

Ben: Like, “How big is the chicken wrap?”

Emma: Right. Knowing the portion helps you decide if you’re still hungry later.

Ben: I notice the menu also mentions “Gluten‑free pasta”. That’s helpful.

Emma: Yes, many restaurants add symbols for dietary needs. Look for a leaf for vegan, a wheat stalk for gluten‑free.

Ben: If I can’t find a symbol, I should ask. For example, “Is this dish gluten‑free?”

Emma: Perfect. Also, if you have an allergy, be clear. Say, “I’m allergic to peanuts. Does this dish contain peanuts?”

Ben: That’s very important. The staff need to know to keep you safe.

Emma: Let’s pretend we’re ordering. I’ll be the customer, you be the waiter.

Ben: Sounds good.

Emma: Excuse me, could you please tell me what is in the Caesar salad?

Ben: Of course. The Caesar salad has romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing.

Emma: Thank you. Does the dressing contain any nuts?

Ben: No, it does not contain nuts.

Emma: Great. I’ll have the Caesar salad, please.

Ben: Certainly. Would you like any drink with that?

Emma: Yes, could I have a fresh orange juice, please?

Ben: Absolutely. Anything else?

Emma: I’m also thinking about a main dish. What would you recommend?

Ben: Our grilled salmon is very popular, and the chicken Alfredo is also a favorite.

Emma: I’m a bit concerned about dairy. Does the salmon have any dairy in the sauce?

Ben: The salmon is served with lemon butter sauce, which contains butter.

Emma: I see. Then I’ll choose the chicken Alfredo. Is the sauce made with cream?

Ben: Yes, it is a cream‑based sauce.

Emma: I’m lactose intolerant. Do you have a dairy‑free version?

Ben: We can prepare the pasta with a tomato‑basil sauce instead.

Emma: That would be perfect. I’ll have the pasta with tomato‑basil sauce.

Ben: Great choice. Would you like any side with that?

Emma: A side of steamed vegetables, please.

Ben: Certainly. Anything else?

Emma: No, that’s all for me.

Ben: Very well. I’ll bring your salad, orange juice, pasta with tomato‑basil sauce, and steamed vegetables.

Emma: Thank you very much.

Ben: You’re welcome.

Emma: While we wait, let’s talk about how to ask for the bill.

Ben: Yes, that’s the next important step.

Emma: When you’re ready to leave, you can say, “Could we have the check, please?”

Ben: Or “Can I get the bill, please?” Both are polite.

Emma: If you want to split the bill, you can say, “Can we split the bill?”

Ben: And if you need a receipt, you add, “Could I have a receipt, please?”

Emma: Some restaurants also accept credit cards. You might ask, “Do you accept credit cards?”

Ben: Or “Can I pay with a card?”

Emma: If you prefer cash, you can say, “I’d like to pay in cash.”

Ben: Good. Also, if the service was great, you might say, “Thank you for the wonderful service.”

Emma: That’s a nice touch.

Ben: Back to the menu, sometimes there are “Kids’ Meals”. They are smaller portions and often cheaper.

Emma: Yes, and they usually come with a drink and a small dessert.

Ben: If you have children, you can ask, “Do you have a kids’ menu?”

Emma: Exactly. And you can also ask about the “meal of the day”.

Ben: Like, “What is today’s special?”

Emma: Right. The waiter will tell you the dish and sometimes the price.

Ben: Speaking of price, if you’re not sure about the cost, you can ask, “How much is the chicken wrap?”

Emma: Or “What is the price of the grilled salmon?”

Ben: It’s always good to know before you order.

Emma: Another useful question is about the preparation time.

Ben: Yes, you can say, “How long does it take to prepare the pasta?”

Emma: That helps if you’re in a hurry.

Ben: Also, if you want to know the spiciness level, you can ask, “Is this dish spicy?”

Emma: Or “How hot is the chili sauce?”

Ben: Good point. Some menus use a scale of 1 to 5 for spiciness.

Emma: If you see a symbol like a chili pepper, it usually means it’s spicy.

Ben: And if you don’t like spice, you can ask for it “mild” or “no chili”.

Emma: Exactly. Let’s practice another scenario. I’ll be a customer who wants a vegetarian option.

Ben: Okay, go ahead.

Emma: Excuse me, do you have any vegetarian dishes?

Ben: Yes, we have a veggie burger, a mushroom risotto, and a grilled vegetable plate.

Emma: Great. Does the veggie burger contain cheese?

Ben: It comes with cheese, but we can make it without.

Emma: Perfect, I’ll have the veggie burger without cheese, please.

Ben: Would you like any side with that?

Emma: Yes, a side of sweet potato fries, please.

Ben: Certainly. Anything to drink?

Emma: I’ll have sparkling water, thank you.

Ben: Very good. I’ll bring your order shortly.

Emma: Thanks.

Ben: While we wait, let’s recap the key phrases we used.

Emma: Sure. First, “Excuse me, could you tell me…?” for asking about ingredients.

Ben: Then, “Does this contain…?” for allergens or dietary restrictions.

Emma: Also, “Can I have…?” for ordering.

Ben: And “Could we have the check, please?” for the bill.

Emma: Don’t forget “Do you have…?” for special menus like kids’ or vegetarian.

Ben: Right. These sentences are short and clear, perfect for A2 learners.

Emma: Practicing them will help you feel confident in any restaurant.

Ben: Absolutely. And remember, a smile and polite tone go a long way.

Emma: That’s all for this section. Let’s move on to the next part of the episode.

Ben: Alright, Emma, we’re at the table now. What should we say first when we’re ready to order?

Emma: You can start with a simple phrase like, “Can I have…?” or “I’d like…”. It’s clear and polite.

Ben: Got it. So, if I want a burger, I could say, “I’d like a chicken burger, please.”

Emma: Exactly. Adding “please” makes it sound friendly.

Ben: And if I want a drink?

Emma: You can say, “Can I have a glass of orange juice, please?” or “I’d like a coffee, please.”

Ben: Should we ask about the size of the drink?

Emma: Yes, that’s a good idea. You can ask, “What sizes do you have?” or “Do you have small, medium, and large?”

Ben: Okay, let’s try it. “Excuse me, could you tell me the drink sizes, please?”

Emma: Perfect. The waiter will usually answer, “We have small, medium, and large.”

Ben: Then I can say, “I’ll have a medium orange juice, please.”

Emma: Right. And if you want to add something extra, like cheese on the burger, you can say, “Could I add cheese, please?”

Ben: What about asking about ingredients? Some people have allergies.

Emma: You can ask, “What’s in the sauce?” or “Does this dish contain nuts?”

Ben: That’s useful. So, a full order might sound like, “I’d like a chicken burger with cheese, a medium orange juice, and could you tell me if the sauce has nuts?”

Emma: Yes, that covers everything. Remember to speak slowly and clearly.

Ben: Should we repeat the order back to the waiter?

Emma: It’s a good habit. The waiter will usually repeat the order to confirm. If they say, “So, one chicken burger with cheese, a medium orange juice, and no nuts in the sauce, right?” you can say, “Yes, that’s correct.”

Ben: What if they get something wrong?

Emma: You can politely say, “Sorry, I think there’s a mistake. I didn’t order the fish salad.”

Ben: Got it. Now, after we finish our meal, how do we ask for the bill?

Emma: The easiest way is to say, “Could we have the bill, please?” or “Can I get the check, please?”

Ben: Some places use the word “check,” others “bill.” Both are fine, right?

Emma: Exactly. In the UK they often say “bill,” in the US they say “check.”

Ben: If we want to split the bill, how do we say that?

Emma: You can say, “Can we split the bill, please?” or “Could we have separate checks?”

Ben: And if we want to pay with a card?

Emma: Just say, “Can I pay by card?” or “Do you accept credit cards?”

Ben: What if the restaurant only takes cash?

Emma: Then you can ask, “Do you take cash?” If they say yes, you can hand over the money and say, “Here you go.”

Ben: Should we tip? How do we bring that up?

Emma: In many countries, you leave a tip on the table or give it to the waiter. You can say, “Keep the change,” or “Here’s a tip, thank you.”

Ben: What if we’re not sure how much to tip?

Emma: A common amount is 10 to 15 percent of the total. You can calculate it quickly or just round up the total.

Ben: Okay, let’s imagine the total is $20. A 10 percent tip would be $2, so we could give $22.

Emma: That’s right. Or you could say, “Could you add a tip of $2, please?” if you’re paying by card.

Ben: What if we need a receipt?

Emma: You can ask, “Could I have a receipt, please?”

Ben: And if we want to leave a review?

Emma: You might say, “I’ll leave a review online,” but you don’t need to ask the staff. Just enjoy your meal!

Ben: Are there any polite phrases we should use when we’re leaving?

Emma: A simple “Thank you” and “Goodbye” works well. If the service was great, you can add, “The food was delicious, thank you.”

Ben: Should we say anything about the food if we liked it?

Emma: Yes, it’s always nice to say, “The pizza was excellent,” or “The soup was very tasty.” Staff appreciate the feedback.

Ben: And if we didn’t like something?

Emma: You can be honest but kind. For example, “I’m sorry, the soup was a bit cold.” That gives them a chance to fix it.

Ben: What about asking for a to-go box?

Emma: You can say, “Could I get a box for the leftover, please?”

Ben: And if we need a napkin?

Emma: Just ask, “May I have another napkin, please?”

Ben: Great. Let’s practice a full short conversation from ordering to paying.

Emma: Sure, go ahead.

Ben: “Excuse me, could I have the menu, please?”

Emma: “Here you go.”

Ben: “I’d like a grilled chicken sandwich, a side salad, and a medium lemonade, please.”

Emma: “Would you like any dressing for the salad?”

Ben: “Yes, could I have the balsamic vinaigrette, please?”

Emma: “Certainly. Anything else?”

Ben: “No, that’s all for now, thank you.”

Emma: “Your order will be ready shortly.”

[Later]

Ben: “Excuse me, could we have the bill, please?”

Emma: “Sure, here it is.”

Ben: “Can I pay by card?”

Emma: “Yes, just insert your card.”

Ben: “Could you add a $2 tip, please?”

Emma: “Of course.”

Ben: “Could I have a receipt, please?”

Emma: “Here you are.”

Ben: “Thank you very much. The food was great.”

Emma: “You’re welcome. Have a nice day!”

Ben: “Goodbye!”

Emma: “Goodbye, and thanks for listening!”

Ben: That was a smooth run. Any last tips for our listeners?

Emma: Just remember to be polite, speak slowly, and enjoy the experience.

Ben: And don’t forget to practice these phrases at home.

Emma: Yes, the more you use them, the more natural they will feel.

Ben: Thanks for joining us in this final part of the episode.

Emma: We hope you feel confident to place your order and pay the bill next time you visit a restaurant.

Ben: Until next time, keep practicing English and have fun with food!

Emma: Bye for now, and please tune in again soon.