In this restaurant vocabulary lesson, I will teach you the words and phrases you need when reading menus, ordering food, and interacting with the staff members. There’s a quiz at the end of the lesson to test your skills.
The following glossary lists the most common types of restaurants that you likely encounter in your city. Which one is your favourite? How often do you eat out?
a place where food is prepared quickly and served at the counter or drive-through.
a relaxed setting with table service and a wide variety of menu options.
a high-end experience with elegant atmosphere, quality dishes, and professional service.
a self-service setup where you can choose from a wide selection of dishes.
a small and cosy place offering simple, homemade-style meals.
a place that mainly serves coffee, tea, and light snacks.
a mobile kitchen that serves meals in public areas like streets or parks.
a setting where food is served in large portions for sharing at the table.
a place that focuses on traditional dishes from a specific country or culture.
a temporary venue that opens for a short time, often with a unique menu.
a simple, self-service place often found in schools or workplaces.
a place that specialises in grilled meats, especially steaks.
a place that mainly serves pizzas and related Italian dishes.
a French-style venue serving hearty meals and drinks in a casual setting.
an American-style eatery known for comfort food and all-day breakfast.
Here are some useful words and phrases you might hear or use at a restaurant, from menu items and dietary terms to service-related expressions.
a small dish served before the main course.
the main course of a meal.
a sweet dish served at the end of a meal.
a drink, such as water, soda, tea, or coffee.
a list of dishes and drinks offered at a restaurant.
a dish that is not usually on the menu, often available for a limited time.
ordering individual dishes from the menu, rather than a set meal.
a pre-selected combination of dishes offered at a fixed price.
booking a table at a restaurant in advance.
an additional fee added to the bill for the service provided by the staff.
a voluntary amount of money given to the staff for their service.
utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons used for eating.
additional sauces or spices to enhance the flavour of the food, such as ketchup, mustard, or salt.
a person who does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products.
a person who does not eat or use any animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs.
a diet that excludes gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
an adverse reaction to a specific food or ingredient.
the food is prepared only after the customer orders it to ensure freshness.
food ordered and picked up from a restaurant to be eaten elsewhere.
food that remains uneaten and can be taken home for later consumption.
Here are some commonly used questions you might find useful when ordering food in a restaurant.
You might have reasons that prevent you from eating certain types of food, such as religion, health issues, or personal preferences. You can discuss these with the server. The sentences below help you do so.
When you like or dislike a meal, you can say something about it. Here are some easy sentences you can use to tell your friends or server what you think about the food:
It’s not uncommon to encounter some issues when eating out. For example, the food might be cold, you got the wrong order, etc. Let’s learn some useful words to talk about these.
When you’re ready to leave the restaurant, you’ll need to ask for the bill to pay for your meal. Here are some ways to request the bill and ask about the different payment options.
When dining out in the UK, there are certain cultural norms and etiquette that you need to be aware of. Reservations are recommended, and you should wait to be seated upon arrival.
Good table manners are expected, and you should feel free to ask your server for recommendations or clarify menu items. Dietary preferences or restrictions should be communicated politely, and tipping is customary, typically around 10-15%.
Splitting the bill is common, but you can request separate checks if needed. Maintain a reasonable noise level during conversation and leave the table tidy when you’re finished.
Test your restaurant vocabulary skills
Quick overview of the quiz!
Time: 00:00
What do we call a small dish served before the main course?
What's the English word for a sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal?
What do you call a person who serves you at your table?
What's the difference between a 'set menu' and 'à la carte'?
What does 'beverage' mean?
What is a 'special' on a restaurant menu?
What does 'takeaway' mean?
What's the name of the list of dishes and drinks in a restaurant?
What's the word for the paper you receive at the end of your meal, showing what you need to pay?
What’s the extra money you give to thank the server for good service?
The word 'takeaway' is primarily used in British English. What is the equivalent term in American English?
What is 'cutlery'?
What's the difference between 'vegetarians' and 'vegans'?
