How to Order Food in English
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You walk into a restaurant abroad, the server smiles and says something fast in English, and you freeze. This guide gives you the exact phrases to handle every step of eating out — no fluff, just words you’ll actually use.
Getting a Table
If you made a reservation:
I have a reservation under [your name].
Hi, I booked a table for two at 7.
If you didn’t:
Table for two, please.
Do you have any tables available?
How long is the wait?
What the host might say:
How many people?
Would you prefer indoor or outdoor seating?
It’ll be about 15 minutes. You can wait at the bar.
If the wait is fine, just say:
That’s fine, thank you. We’ll wait at the bar.
Ordering Drinks
In most restaurants, the server asks about drinks first — before food. Be ready for this.
The server will likely say:
Can I get you something to drink?
What would you like to drink?
Can I start you off with some drinks?
Your go-to responses:
I’ll have a Coke, please.
Just water for me, thanks.
Can I see the wine list?
Do you have any local beers?
If you order water, expect a follow-up question:
Still or sparkling?
- Still = regular, non-bubbly water
- Sparkling = fizzy, carbonated water
- Tap water = free water from the tap (safe to drink in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe)
Tap water is fine, thanks.
Still water, please.
In the US, water is usually free. In many European countries, you’ll be charged for bottled water unless you specifically ask for tap.
Understanding the Menu
You don’t need to know every word. But these come up all the time:
Menu Sections
| Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Appetizer / Starter | Small dish before the main meal |
| Entrée / Main course | The main dish (⚠️ “Entrée” means main course in the US, but starter/appetizer in the UK and France) |
| Sides | Extra dishes you order separately (fries, salad, vegetables) |
| Dessert | Sweet dishes after the meal |
| Specials | Dishes available only today, not on the regular menu |
| Soup of the day | A different soup each day |
How Food Is Cooked
| Word | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Grilled | Cooked on a metal grate over heat |
| Fried | Cooked in hot oil |
| Roasted | Cooked in an oven with dry heat |
| Steamed | Cooked over boiling water |
| Poached | Gently cooked in liquid |
| Blackened | Coated in spices and cooked at high heat (not burnt) |
Steak Doneness
If you order steak or a burger, the server will ask how you want it cooked:
| Term | Inside Looks |
|---|---|
| Rare | Cool red center |
| Medium rare | Warm red center |
| Medium | Pink throughout |
| Medium well | Slightly pink |
| Well done | Fully cooked, no pink |
Common Words on Menus That Confuse English Learners
| Word | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Arugula / Rocket | A peppery salad leaf (US: arugula, UK: rocket) |
| Quinoa | A grain-like seed, high in protein |
| Couscous | Tiny steamed pasta balls, looks like rice but isn’t |
| Confit | Meat slow-cooked in its own fat (usually duck) |
| Tartare | Raw meat or fish, finely chopped and seasoned |
| Bisque | A thick, creamy soup, usually made with shellfish |
| Harissa | North African chili paste — if a menu says “harissa chicken,” expect heat |
| Au jus | Served with its own juices (French on menus, but common in English too) |
If you don’t understand a dish, just ask:
What’s in this?
Is this dish spicy?
What comes with it?
What do you recommend?
These are normal questions. No one will look at you funny. If you can’t read the menu at all, a camera translator app can help — here’s how to use your phone camera to read menus while traveling.
What Servers Say (and What They Mean)
Before you start ordering, it helps to know what the server is actually asking you:
| They Say | They Mean |
|---|---|
| Are you ready to order? | Tell me what you want to eat. |
| Can I start you off with drinks? | What do you want to drink? |
| Any room for dessert? | Do you want dessert? |
| Is that everything? | Did I get your order right? |
| You’re all set. | Everything is done / paid. |
| It’s on the house. | It’s free — the restaurant is paying. |
Ordering Your Food
The three phrases you’ll use most:
I’ll have the grilled chicken, please.
I’d like the salmon, please.
Can I get the burger?
All three are polite and natural. “I’d like” is slightly more formal. “Can I get” is very common in the US.
When the server asks what you want:
Server: Are you ready to order?
You: Yes, I’ll have the Caesar salad to start, and the steak for my main.
Or if you’re not ready:
We need a few more minutes.
Could you give us a minute?
Pointing works too. If you can’t pronounce the dish, point to it on the menu and say:
I’ll have this one, please.
Special Requests
Allergies — say these clearly:
I’m allergic to nuts.
I’m allergic to shellfish.
Does this contain dairy?
Is this gluten-free?
Dietary preferences:
I’m vegetarian. Does this have meat in it?
I’m vegan. Can you make this without cheese?
I don’t eat pork.
Changing something in the dish:
Can I get that without onions?
Could I have a salad instead of fries?
Can I get the dressing on the side?
Be polite, and most restaurants will accommodate. Say “Can I” or “Could I” rather than “I want.”
During the Meal
The server will check on you:
How is everything?
Is everything okay?
Can I get you anything else?
If everything’s good:
Great, thank you.
Delicious!
Everything’s perfect.
If you need something:
Could I get some more water?
Can I have another napkin?
Excuse me, could we get some extra bread?
Where’s the restroom? (US) / Where’s the toilet? (UK)
What’s the Wi-Fi password?
Don’t be shy about asking. Servers expect it.
Dealing with Problems
Speak up early and stay calm:
Excuse me, I ordered the salad, not the soup.
This steak is a bit cold. Could you heat it up?
I asked for no cheese, but there’s cheese on this.
You’re not being rude — you’re helping them fix a mistake. Say it with a smile, and it won’t feel confrontational.
Key phrase if you’re not sure something is wrong:
Sorry, is this supposed to be cold? I thought it was a hot dish.
Paying the Bill
Getting the bill:
In the US, Canada, and the UK, servers don’t bring the bill until you ask for it. In much of Europe, you often pay at the counter instead. Not sure which applies? Just ask:
Do I pay here or at the table?
Once you’re ready to pay:
| US | UK |
|---|---|
| Can I get the check, please? | Could I have the bill, please? |
| We’re ready for the check. | Can we get the bill? |
Splitting the bill:
Can we split the bill?
Separate checks, please. (US only — in the UK, one person usually pays and others transfer money later.)
All together, please. (One bill for the table.)
Paying:
I’ll pay with card.
Do you take credit cards?
Can I pay with Apple Pay?
Tipping
Tipping causes more anxiety than ordering. Here’s the quick version:
| Country | What to do |
|---|---|
| US | 15–20% of the pre-tax total. Not optional — servers rely on tips for their income. |
| Canada | Same as US: 15–20%. |
| UK | Check the bill for “service charge” (usually 10–12.5%). If it’s there, no need to tip extra. If not, 10–15%. |
| Australia | Tipping is not expected. Round up or leave 5–10% for exceptional service. |
| Ireland | 10% is common if service charge isn’t included. |
| Rest of Europe | Service is usually included in the price. Leaving small change is appreciated but not expected. |
When in doubt, ask:
Is service included?
Takeout / Leftovers
Can I get this to go? (US)
Can I take the rest home? (UK)
A Full Conversation
Here’s how a typical meal sounds from start to finish:
Host: Hi, how many?
You: Table for two, please.
Host: Right this way. Your server will be with you shortly.
Server: Hi, I’m Emily. Can I start you off with some drinks?
You: I’ll have a Coke, and she’ll have a sparkling water. Thanks.
Server: Here you go. Are you ready to order?
You: Yes. For my appetizer I’ll have the tomato soup, and for the main, the grilled salmon. What does that come with?
Server: It comes with rice and seasonal vegetables.
You: Perfect. Can I get the dressing on the side for the salad?
Server: Of course.
[Later]
Server: How is everything?
You: Great, thank you.
Server: Can I get you anything else?
You: No, just the check when you’re ready.
Server: Sure, I’ll bring that right over.
You: [paying] Can I pay with card?
Server: Of course. Here you go.
You: Thank you!
One last thing: don’t stress about grammar. “I’ll have the chicken” or even “The chicken, please” — both work. Servers care about getting your order right, not about your accent. You’ll do fine.
If you found this useful, check out 50 travel phrases you’ll actually use abroad and 50 English phrases for everyday use. If a restaurant only posts its menu as a PDF in another language, you can upload it to OpenL and get the whole thing translated into English before you go.
Sources
- BBC Learning English — How the Language of Menus Matters — BBC 6 Minute English episode on menu language and why it confuses diners
- EnglishClub — Menu in English — Menu section names and common vocabulary
- The Takeout — 127 Common Phrases On A Menu — Comprehensive list of menu terms and what they mean
- Speechling — How to Order at a Restaurant in English — Step-by-step ordering guide with audio examples
- OpenTable — Menu Jargon Buster — Survey data on the most confusing menu terms for diners
- Migaku — English Restaurant Phrases — Practical ordering phrases for English learners
