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Writer's pictureCiiindy English

[Eating Out] Most Common Questions

Updated: Aug 29, 2019

How often do you eat out? I eat out once a week because it is healthier to eat at home (I'm a picky eater =P).

Here are the most common questions to ask the waiter when you are eating out at a restaurant, you will have no problems ordering at the restaurant after going through this ; )

💁: waiter 👩: you


Arriving at the restaurant:

1. Made a booking:

  • I have a reservation under the name _______ (your name).

  • I've made a reservation under the name of _______ (your name).

2. Did not make a booking:

  • 👩Is there any available table? →💁A table for how many people?

  • 👩How long is the wait?

⌛After waiting for a long time:

  • 👩How much longer do we have to wait?


After seated at a table, waiter will bring the menu & water:

  • 💁Would you like something to drink?

1. Want to order a drink:

  • 👩I'll have ______, please.

2. Don't want to order a drink:

  • 👩Water is fine.


Do not have the menu/waiter is busy and does not come to take your order:

  • 👩May I have the menu please?

  • 👩Excuse me, I'm ready to order.


Waiter comes to the table to take your order:

  • 💁Are you ready to order?

  • 💁Would you like to order now?

  • 💁May I take your order?

1. Not ready to order:

  • 👩Can I have a couple more minutes?

  • 👩Give me a minute.

2. Ready to order:

  • 👩I'll have this. *points on the menu*

  • 👩I would like to have _________ (dish name).

3. I don't know what to order:

  • 👩What’s today’s special? →💁Today’s special is BBQ chicken.→👩Ok. I’ll have the special, please.

  • I want to order the same dish as the other table: 👩I’ll have that *points at the dish from the other table*.


Questions to ask while ordering:

1. Diet preference:

  • 👩Is there any vegetarian options🌱?

  • 👩Is this spicy🌶? / Can I have it not spicy?

  • 👩Does this have _____ (ingredient name). I can't have ______ (ingredient name). (e.g. Does this have nuts? I can't have nuts.)

  • 👩Can you put the sauce on the side? (separate the sauce from the dish)

2. Don't know what the dish is

  • 👩What's a _______ (dish name)? *points at the menu*


Canceling the order:

  • Excuse me, I would like to cancel ____.

  • Excuse me, I would like to cancel the order.


Asking for:

  • 👩May I have ____ please? -- a pair of chopsticks🥢/ a knife / a spoon🥄 / a fork -- an extra bowl -- vinegar / soy sauce / pepper / ketchup


Finished eating:

  • 👩May I have the check/bill please.


Need someone to practice with? Come to my eating out lesson and you'll be able to order your next meal in English!



↘ What do you usually order in a restaurant? Comment below!↙

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