English Language Practice Ordering at a Restaurant

Knowing how to order food at a restaurant is an important task for any beginner-level English learner. Here are two short dialogues to help you learn common questions and answers used at restaurants. Dining at a Restaurant Alone This dialogue  includes most of the basic questions youll need to know when going to a restaurant alone. Practice it with a friend. Waitperson: Hi. How are you doing this afternoon? Customer (you): Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please? Waitperson:  Certainly, here you are. Customer: Thank you. Whats todays special? Waitperson: Grilled tuna and cheese on rye. Customer: That sounds good. Ill have that. Waitperson: Would you like something to drink? Customer: Yes, Id like a coke. Waitperson: Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal! Customer: Thank you. Waitperson: Can I get you anything else? Customer: No thanks. Id like the check, please. Waitperson: Thatll be $14.95. Customer: Here you are. Keep the change! Waitperson: Thank you! Have a good day! Customer: Goodbye. At a Restaurant With Friends Next, use this dialogue to practice speaking at a restaurant when eating with friends. The dialogue includes questions to help you choose  what to eat. For this role-play, youll need three people instead of two. Kevin: The spaghetti looks really good. Alice: It is! I had it the last time I was here. Peter: How is the pizza, Alice? Alice: Its good, but I think the pasta is better. What would you recommend? Waitperson: Id recommend the lasagna. Its excellent! Alice: That sounds great. Ill have that. Waitperson:  Fine. Would you like an appetizer? Alice: No, lasagna is more than enough for me! Kevin: I think Ill have the lasagna as well. Waitperson: Right. Thats two lasagnas. Would you care for an appetizer? Kevin: Yes, Ill take the calamari. Peter: Oh, that sounds good! I cant decide between the chicken marsala and grilled fish. Waitperson: The fish is fresh, so Id recommend that. Peter: Great. Ill have the fish. Id also like a salad. Waitperson:  What would you like to drink? Kevin: Ill have water. Alice: Id like a beer. Peter: Ill take a glass of red wine. Waitperson:  Thank you. Ill get the drinks and the appetizers. Kevin:  Thank you.   Key Vocabulary and Phrases Here are some key  phrases used to discuss food in a restaurant when ordering and deciding on what to eat: Could I have  a menu, please?Here you are.Enjoy your meal!Would you like ...Can I get you anything else?Id like the check, please.Thatll be ...Have a good day!The spaghetti/steak/chicken looks good.How is the pizza/fish/beer?What would you recommend?Id like my steak rare/medium/well done.Are there any nuts/peanuts? My child has allergies.Do you have any vegetarian dishes?Could I have a glass of water, please?Could you tell me where the restroom is?Id recommend the lasagna/steak/pizza.Would you care for an appetizer/a beer/a cocktail?Id like to  have a beer/steak/glass of wine.