At a restaurant
Book a table, order a meal, deal with a problem and ask for the bill in a restaurant.
In this lesson you will
- Book a table by phone
- Order starters, main courses and desserts
- Politely complain and ask for the bill
Learn
Booking: I’d like to book a table for four, please. · For what time? · For eight o’clock tonight. · What name is it?
Arriving: We have a reservation. The name’s García. · A table for two, please.
The menu has starters, main courses (mains) and desserts. Ordering: For my starter I’ll have the soup, and then the grilled fish. · Are you ready to order? · What do you recommend? · Is it spicy? · I’m vegetarian — is there any meat in this?
Problems, politely: Excuse me, this is cold. · I’m sorry, but I ordered the chicken, not the beef. Paying: Could we have the bill, please? (US check) · Is service included?
Examples
- I’d like to book a table for Saturday evening.
- I’ll have the tomato soup to start.
- What do you recommend?
- Excuse me, could we have some more bread?
- Could we have the bill, please?
Vocabulary
book / reserve
arrange a table in advance
starter
a small first dish
main course
the biggest dish of the meal
dessert
a sweet dish at the end
vegetarian
a person who doesn’t eat meat or fish
the bill
the paper with the price of the meal (US: check)
recommend
say something is good
“What do you recommend?”
In real life
At the table.
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Diner: Yes. For my starter I’ll have the mushroom soup.
Waiter: And for your main course?
Diner: What do you recommend?
Waiter: The lamb is very good today.
Diner: Hmm, I’m vegetarian. I’ll have the vegetable curry. Is it spicy?
Waiter: A little. Would you like anything to drink?
Diner: Just a glass of sparkling water, please.
Practice
I’d like to ___ a table for two.
Listening: Booking by phone
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Staff: Good afternoon, Bella Roma.
Caller: Hi, I’d like to book a table for Friday, please.
Staff: How many people?
Caller: Six.
Staff: And what time?
Caller: Half past seven.
Staff: That’s fine. What name, please?
Caller: Okafor. O-K-A-F-O-R.
1.Which day is the booking?
2.How many people? (number)
3.What time?
Speaking
Role-play a restaurant visit: arrive with a reservation, order a starter, main course and drink, ask one question about the food, and ask for the bill.
Writing
Write a short review of a restaurant you like (60–80 words): the food, the service, the price and your recommendation.
Lesson quiz
“What name is it?” means:
Review
Key points
- Book a table: for how many, what time, what name.
- Starter, main course, dessert; I’ll have…; What do you recommend?
- Polite problems: Excuse me, I think…; Could we have the bill?
What you learned
- ✓ I can book a table.
- ✓ I can order a full meal.
- ✓ I can complain politely and pay.
Grammar reference: Would like and want