Restaurant Dialogue and Vocabulary

These phrases will help you to make a reservation at a restaurant and order your meal. Enjoy your meal.

Booking a Table

• I'd like to reserve / book a table for four at 8pm, please.
• I'd like to reserve / book a table for a party of six at 8pm, please.
• I'd like to book a table for two at 8 in the name of Hand, please.
• Could we have a table by the window, please?
• Could we have a non-smoking table, please?
• Could we have a table away from the kitchen/toilets, please?
• Could we have a booth, please?
• Could you make sure it's a quiet table, please?

Placing Your Order

• I'd like the .............., please.
• For starters I'll have the soup and for the main course I'd like the roast beef.
• Could I have chips instead of new potatoes, please?
• What is the house special today?
• Is there anything you would recommend?
• Could I see the wine menu, please?
• I'll have a bottle of the South African Cabernet Sauvignon.
• I'll have a glass of house red/white, please.
• Which wine would you recommend?

Complaining

• Excuse me, but my meal is cold.
• Excuse me, we've been waiting for over half an hour for our drinks.
• I'm sorry but I ordered the side salad not the vegetables.
• Excuse me this steak is over done, I ordered rare.
• I'm afraid this wine tastes corked.
• Excuse me this wine isn't chilled properly.

Arriving at the Restaurant

During/After the Meal

• Good evening, the name is Hand. I have a table booked for six.
• Do you have the menu in English/German/French ..., please?
• Do you have a high chair for young children, please?
• Could we have a table over there, please?
• I'm sorry but I asked for a table by the window.
• Could we have an extra chair, please?

• Could we have some more bread, please?
• Do you have a pepper mill?
• Could I have some dressing, please?
• Could you pass me the salt, please?
• That was delicious. My compliments to the chef.

Paying

• Could I have the bill, please?
• Do you take Visa?
• We'd like separate bills, please.