Food & Drinks

1. A table for two, please.

   Table for two. / We're a party of two.

   Usage

   Said upon entering a restaurant to request seating for a specific number of people

   Grammar Note

   Swap "two" for any number. Add "We have a reservation" if you booked ahead

2. Can I see the menu, please?

   Could I have a menu? / May I have the menu?

   Usage

   Used after being seated to request the menu; "Can I" is polite everyday English

   Grammar Note

   "Could I" is slightly more formal. Use "menus" (plural) when dining with others

3. I'd like to order, please.

   We're ready to order. / Can we order now?

   Usage

   Signals to the server that you are ready to place your order

   Grammar Note

   "I'd like" is the polite form of "I want." Use "We'd like" for a group

4. What do you recommend?

   What do you recommend? / What would you suggest?

   Usage

   Asks the staff for their personal recommendation; great for trying local specialties

   Grammar Note

   "What's the chef's special today?" is an alternative to ask about daily specials

5. I have a food allergy.

   I'm allergic to... / I have an allergic reaction to certain foods.

   Usage

   An important safety phrase; follow up with the specific allergen, e.g. "to peanuts"

   Grammar Note

   Follow with the allergen: "I'm allergic to peanuts / dairy / gluten / shellfish"

6. No spicy food, please.

   Usage

   Requests that the dish be prepared without spice; also useful for dietary needs

   Grammar Note

   "No [ingredient], please" is a versatile pattern; works for any ingredient

7. The check, please.

   The bill, please. / Can we pay?

   Usage

   Requests the bill at the end of a meal; "check" is American, "bill" is British

   Grammar Note

   "Check" is standard in the US; "bill" in the UK and Australia — both are understood

8. This is delicious!

   This tastes amazing! / It's really good!

   Usage

   A compliment for the food; also a great way to show appreciation to the chef or staff

   Grammar Note

   "It's amazing / incredible" also work. "Yummy!" is a very casual, playful alternative

9. Do you have a vegetarian option?

   Is there a meat-free dish? / Any vegetarian choices?

   Usage

   Asks about meat-free dishes; substitute "vegan option" if you avoid all animal products

   Grammar Note

   Saying "I'm vegetarian / vegan" helps staff guide you to suitable dishes

10. Can I have some water, please?

    Could I get some water? / Water, please.

    Usage

    Requests water at the table; you may be asked "still or sparkling?"

    Grammar Note

    "Tap water" is free in many countries; "still" means flat, "sparkling" means carbonated

11. Rice

    Usage

    English uses "rice" for both raw and cooked; in a restaurant it means the cooked bowl

12. Bread

    Usage

    Uncountable — a single item is "a loaf" or "a roll"

13. Noodles

    Usage

    Noodles in general; normally plural in English

14. Spicy

    Usage

    Chilli heat; it can also mean "well spiced", so people often ask "is it hot?" as well

15. Sweet

    Usage

    The taste; also used when checking how much sugar is in a drink

16. Raw

    Usage

    Not cooked — point to it when you need to avoid uncooked food

17. Cheese

    Usage

    Also useful when checking for dairy

18. Tofu

    Usage

    Point to it when looking for a vegetarian option

19. Soup

    Usage

    Any broth or soup; point to it when ordering

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