Order from a Menu and Language for a Restaurant or When Ordering Take Out

 >>>

So you’re out at a restaurant or café and you want to place your order. But maybe you have a few simple requests as well. I’m sharing some key phrases you can use when you are ordering at a restaurant.

Let’s get right to it.

>>>

If you want to order a small portion of something: Could I have the roasted chicken with a side of greens.

If you only like what’s on the appetizer menu: I’d like to do the French onion soup and the goat cheese salad both as my main so if you just bring them both out together, that’d be great, thanks. // I’m going to do the spinach risotto, but I’d like that as my main. Does this risotto come as a main?

If you don’t want sauce or dressing: I’d like the salad, with the dressing on the side. /  I’ll do the chicken but could you hold the honey glazed dressing?/ I’d like the roast-beef sandwich without mayo, please.

If you want to swap one side dish or aspect of the dish for another: I’ll go with the lentil burger but would it be possible to swap out fries for a baked potato? / I’d like the quinoa, but does it come with beef instead or chicken? Could I do the chicken paillard on a bed of spinach instead of mashed potatoes? / I would like the lentils with a side order or Naan bread please.

If you want to know what something comes with: What does the BBQ Chicken come with? / I think I’ll do the vegan option, but I’ll skip the pasta. Does it come with anything? / Can I get the lunch special? What does that come with? Soup or salad?

If you want to know the difference between one dish and another that look similar: What’s the difference between the House Burger and the Burger?

If you can’t decide: I’m vacillating between the tuna steak and the veal. Which do you recommend? / I really have no idea what to order. What’s your favorite thing on the menu?

Do you have any specials? (These are a few dishes that are not on the menu, but are available that day only. Many restaurants have different lunch/dinner specials they change every day. This is quite common in most American Diners.)

If the waiter asks you how you’d like your meat cooked? You can reply: Well done, Medium, Medium Rare, Rare, or Chef’s choice (whatever they recommend for it to taste best).

When the waiter comes to take your order but you’re not quite ready you can say: I just need 5 more minutes. There are so many great options to choose from! And then you can ask them to take your drink order or appetizer order: Could you take our drink order in the meantime? And then you can give them your order like: I’ll have an iced tea. No sugar, just lemon, please. / If you know what your appetizer is going to be you can say: Could I get a salad to start, please? And I’ll decide on my main (dish) in just a bit.

When you want to ask the friend that you’re dining with what they’re having: I don’t know what I want yet. What’re you getting? // What’re you having? And then if you like their choice you could say: Oh, sounds good. I think I’ll do the same.

///

So these are a few potential little mini scenarios that can arise when you’re eating out. And know you know how to order from a restaurant or café in a cool, nonchalant way. Use this phrasing when you need more time with the menu, when you want to swap out certain side dishes, when you want to know more about the dish, and when you want your friend to give you some ideas as to what to order!

///

What other potential restaurant situations have you encountered? How did you handle them? Share that with us in the comments below.

See you in the next Advanced English. Keep on advancing your English! 

About the Author and the Explearning Academy:

Mary Daphne is an expert in communication, executive skills and professional development. She is the founder of the Explearning Academy, a platform dedicated to helping individuals enhance their social fluency, boost their careers, and elevate their social game. Through immersive group coaching programs like the Executive Communication Lab and self-guided journeys, participants gain the social superpowers and career catapults they've been searching for. If you're ready to take your negotiation skills to the next level and connect with like-minded individuals, visit academy.explearning.co and explore the various plans available. Join the Explearning Academy community and unlock your full potential.

Thank you for reading! If you found this blog post valuable, don't forget subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow our podcast!

✨

🎁5-DAY FREE CHALLENGE 🎁
🎤 Sign up for my group coaching program🎤
🤩 Join our community 🤩 for a self-guided fully-supported journey
✨ Learn more about Explearning Academy ✨
🏆 Sign up for our 33-Day Executive Excellence Challenge 🏆