The following are some guidelines on how to order food and drinks in a restaurant in English.
After you are seated, the first thing the server will ask is if you want something to drink:
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Can I get a drink for you?”
“Would you like to order a drink now?”
“Can I get a drink started for you?”
“What would you like to drink?”
You can answer:
“Can I have a glass of water?”
“I’ll take a coke.”
“I’ll have an orange juice.”
“Water will be fine.”
After the server brings out your drinks, he/she will take your order:
“May I take your order?”
“What would you like to order?”
“Are you ready to order?”
“What would you like today?”
If you need more time, you can simply say, “Can I have a couple more minutes?”
When you are ready to order, just read what you want from the menu:
“Can I have the steak with French fries please?”
“I’ll take the steak with French fries.”
Depending on what you order, the server will have side options they will ask you about. Listen carefully to your choices and choose one. You should prepare yourself by reading the menu carefully. It should indicate what your options are.
“Would you like toast, a muffin, or cornbread?”
You can answer:
“I would like toast please.”
Most places will come by once when you are eating and ask how everything is. This is a chance for you to order something else, complain about something, or get a refill on your drink. Some of the things they might say are:
“How is everything?”
“Is everything ok?”
“How is your dinner?”
“How is your lunch?”
“Are you guys doing ok?”
“Do you need anything else?”
When you are almost done with your meal, the server might ask if you want some dessert.
“Would you like dessert today?”
“Would you like our dessert menu?”
“Would you like to order any dessert?”
“Any dessert for you today?”
“Would you like to hear our dessert special?”
If you are finished and want your bill, you can look for the server, make eye contact, and raise your hand. When they come by, ask them for the bill.
“Can I have my check?”
“Can I have my bill?”
“I’m ready for my bill.”
“I would like my check please.”
When you pay, don’t forget to leave a tip. The average you should leave is 15 percent.
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