Ordering food is often the first real conversation you have in English. These are the lines that get you through it without panic.
1. Are You Hungry?
Ken: Are you hungry?
Lin: Yes, a little. Are you?
Ken: I'm starving.
Lin: What do you want to eat?
Ken: Anything. You choose.
Lin: Let's get noodles.
2. Ordering Coffee
Barista: Hi. What can I get you?
Sara: A small coffee, please.
Barista: With milk?
Sara: Yes, please. And no sugar.
Barista: To stay or to go?
Sara: To go, thanks.
3. Ordering a Meal
Server: Are you ready to order?
Guest: Yes. What do you recommend?
Server: The chicken is very good.
Guest: I'll have that, please.
Server: And to drink?
Guest: Just water, thank you.
4. Talking About Food You Like
Amy: What's your favourite food?
Jun: Rice with fish. My mother makes it.
Amy: That sounds good. Do you like spicy food?
Jun: Yes, very much. And you?
Amy: Not really. It's too hot for me.
5. Saying You Cannot Eat Something
Host: Would you like some cheese?
Ravi: No, thank you. I can't eat milk products.
Host: Oh, I'm sorry. Is bread okay?
Ravi: Bread is fine, thank you.
Host: Let me get you some.
Ravi: That's very kind.
6. At the Supermarket
Shopper: Excuse me. Where is the bread?
Staff: Aisle four, on the left.
Shopper: And the milk?
Staff: At the back of the shop.
Shopper: Thank you very much.
Staff: You're welcome.
7. Offering Food to a Guest
Mia: Please, have some more.
Tom: No, thank you. I'm full.
Mia: Just a little?
Tom: Okay, a small piece.
Mia: Did you like it?
Tom: It was delicious.
8. Paying the Bill
Guest: Can we have the bill, please?
Server: Of course. One moment.
Guest: Can I pay by card?
Server: Yes, no problem.
Guest: Thank you. The food was great.
Server: Thank you. Come again.
Words to know
| starving | extremely hungry I'm starving. |
| recommend | to say what is good to choose What do you recommend? |
| spicy | hot with pepper or chilli Do you like spicy food? |
| aisle | a long row between shelves in a shop Aisle four, on the left. |
| full | having eaten enough No, thank you. I'm full. |
| delicious | very good to eat It was delicious. |
| bill | the paper showing what you must pay Can we have the bill? |
| to go | to take away, not eat in the shop To go, thanks. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Are you hungry?
B: Yes, a ________. Are you?
2. A: What can I get you?
B: A small coffee, ________.
3. A: Are you ready to order?
B: Yes. What do you ________?
4. A: Would you like some cheese?
B: No, thank you. I ________ eat milk products.
5. A: Please, have some more.
B: No, thank you. I'm ________.
6. A: Can we have the ________, please?
B: Of course. One moment.
Show the answers
1. little 2. please 3. recommend 4. can't 5. full 6. bill
Common mistakes
Not: I want a coffee.
Say: Can I have a coffee, please?
I want sounds rude to a stranger. Use Can I have or I'll have.
Not: I am agree with this food.
Say: I like this food.
Agree is for opinions, not for food. Use like.
Not: The bill, please. I pay with card.
Say: Can I pay by card?
The fixed phrase is pay by card, not pay with card.
Your turn
Imagine you are in a cafe in an English-speaking country. Say these five things aloud.
- Order a drink the way you really like it.
- Ask the server what they recommend.
- Say what your favourite food is and why.
- Say one food you cannot or do not eat.
- Ask for the bill and ask if you can pay by card.
Quick review
Order your breakfast out loud tomorrow morning, even if you are alone in your kitchen. Say the whole sentence, not just the food. Doing it at home ten times means you will not freeze the first time you do it for real.