In this blog post, we will learn useful phrases for ordering food in English with easy examples. Ordering in a restaurant, café, or food court can feel confusing if you are not confident, but the right sentences will make you sound natural and polite. This lesson includes 50+ simple phrases that are easy to remember and use in real-life situations, helping English learners improve both speaking and confidence.
What are Food Ordering Phrases?
Food ordering phrases are short and common sentences used when asking for food or drinks at a restaurant, café, or takeaway. These phrases help you:
- Order food politely
- Ask questions clearly
- Talk to waiters easily
By learning them, you can feel confident and relaxed while eating out.
Useful Phrases for Ordering Food
Below is a table with simple phrases you can use while ordering food:
| Situation | Useful Phrases |
|---|---|
| Greeting Waiter | Hello, a table for two, please. Good evening, can we sit here? |
| Asking for Menu | Can I see the menu, please? Do you have today’s special? |
| Ordering Food | I would like a burger. Can I have pasta, please? |
| Ordering Drinks | I’ll take a coffee. Can I get a glass of water? |
| Asking for Recommendation | What do you recommend? Which dish is most popular? |
| Checking Food Details | Is this dish spicy? Does it have nuts? |
| Special Requests | Can you make it less spicy? I don’t want onions, please. |
| During Eating | Excuse me, can I get some more water? Could you bring some ketchup? |
| Asking for Bill | Can I have the bill, please? We are ready to pay. |
| Saying Thanks | Thank you, the food was great. Everything was delicious. |
Polite and Engaging Sentences for Ordering Food
1. Greeting Waiter
- Hello, a table for two, please.
- Good evening, can we sit here?
- Hi, do you have a table available?
- Can we sit near the window, please?
- Is there an outdoor table free?
2. Asking for Menu
- Can I see the menu, please?
- Do you have today’s special?
- Could you bring us the menu?
- May I look at the drinks menu?
- Can you tell me what’s on special today?
3. Ordering Food
- I would like a burger.
- Can I have pasta, please?
- I’ll take the grilled chicken.
- Could I order the fish with salad?
- May I have a small portion of fries?
4. Ordering Drinks
- I’ll take a coffee.
- Can I get a glass of water?
- I would like a cup of tea, please.
- Could I have an orange juice?
- Can you bring us two bottles of water?
5. Asking for Recommendation
- What do you recommend?
- Which dish is most popular?
- Can you suggest something light?
- What is the chef’s special today?
- Do you recommend the soup or salad?
6. Checking Food Details
- Is this dish spicy?
- Does it have nuts?
- Is this meal vegetarian?
- Does this come with rice or bread?
- Is the fish fresh today?
7. Special Requests
- Can you make it less spicy?
- I don’t want onions, please.
- Could you serve it without cheese?
- Can I have extra sauce on the side?
- Please make it a little less salty.
8. During Eating
- Excuse me, can I get some more water?
- Could you bring some ketchup?
- May I have some extra napkins?
- Can you refill my drink, please?
- Could I get another spoon, please?
9. Asking for Bill
- Can I have the bill, please?
- We are ready to pay.
- Could you bring us the check?
- Can I pay by card?
- Could you split the bill, please?
10. Saying Thanks
- Thank you, the food was great.
- Everything was delicious.
- Thanks a lot, we enjoyed the meal.
- The service was excellent, thank you.
- We’ll definitely come again, thank you.
FAQs
What are common phrases to order food in English?
Common phrases include “Can I see the menu, please?”, “I would like a burger.”, and “Can I have the bill, please?”
How do I politely ask for food in a restaurant?
Use polite words like please and could. Example: “Could I have a glass of water, please?”
What should I say when asking for the menu?
You can say: “Can I see the menu, please?” or “Do you have today’s special?”
How do I ask for the bill in English?
You can say: “Can I have the bill, please?” or “Could you bring us the check?”
How do I order drinks in English?
Simple phrases are: “I’ll take a coffee.”, “Can I get some tea?”, or “Could I have a glass of water?”
What do I say if I don’t want something in my food?
Use without or don’t want. Example: “I don’t want onions, please.” or “Could you make it without cheese?”
How do I ask if food is spicy?
You can ask: “Is this dish spicy?” or “Can you make it less spicy?”
What is a polite way to ask for recommendations?
You can ask: “What do you recommend?” or “Which dish is most popular here?”
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