Whether you need to know how to order food in America, Canada, or other English-speaking countries, you generally start with a polite greeting, then state what you want, and end with a “Thank you.” The etiquette and cultural rules for how to order food in English can be different depending on the country you visit, but some things are the same. Think of dining out as one experience with many smaller conversations, and you’ll feel confident ordering that burger at a food truck or a filet at a fine dining establishment.
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Start with the basics of asking for what you want
No matter where you’re ordering food, the conversation usually starts with a server of some type asking Are you ready to order? or What can I get for you? In both formal and casual settings, you can’t go wrong with a response like May I have a [item], please?
Insert what you want to order in the request. Depending on the restaurant, that can change slightly.
- May I have a large pepperoni pizza, please?
- May I have a beer, please?
- May I have a side of fries, please?
You can say this same expression in a few ways that all have roughly the same meaning.
| English | Pronunciation | Type of Restaurant |
| May I have a [item], please? | mey ahy hav uh…pleez | Formal |
| Could I get [quantity] [item], please? | kood ahy get…pleez | Extremely casual |
| I’d like the [item], please. | ahyd lahyk thuh…pleez | Casual or Formal |
| I’ll have the [item], please. | ahyl hav thuh…pleez | Casual |
Each phrase is equally polite (remember to say please), so you can generally choose what sounds best to you and not seem rude.
Dining etiquette in the US
The rules and manners at restaurants in the United States might be different than where you live. Keep these etiquette tips in mind when you dine out.
- Tipping is strongly recommended at table-service restaurants. In the US, tips are a part of a waiter or waitress’s expected wages. Tipped employees often receive a lower hourly rate or salary because tips are expected. If you go to a restaurant where someone takes your order at your table, brings you your food, and refills your drink, you should tip. A tip equaling 18-20% of your bill is normal for good service.
- Appetizers brought without ordering are usually included. At some restaurants, small appetizers might be brought to your table without asking. This happens often at Italian restaurants (bread) and Mexican restaurants (tortilla chips). These are free as long as you order something else! If you’re not sure, you can also ask Is this free? or Is this complimentary?
- Drink refills are usually free. If you order a non-alcoholic drink at a restaurant (like soda), you can usually get more for free. Water is almost always free. However, you will have to pay for more alcohol (like a glass of beer) if you want another.
- Be polite with waitstaff. Waitstaff in the US usually come to your table often without being asked. However, if you need to get the attention of your waiter or waitress, raise a hand and try to make eye contact when you see them walking around. Sometimes you need to be patient!
- Compliment the food if you like it. If you’re enjoying your meal, say so! Waitstaff are happy to hear that you’re having a good time.
Common phrases in a table-service restaurant
If you eat at a restaurant with waitstaff (a waiter is a male server and a waitress is a femaleserver), they will ask you several questions about your meal. Here are some common English phrases you can expect:
| English | Pronunciation |
| What would you like to drink? | wuht wood yoo lahyk too dringk |
| Would you like any appetizers? | wood yoo lahyk EN-ee AP-i-tahy-zerz |
| Are you ready to order? | ahr yoo RED-ee too AWR-der |
| What sides would you like? | wuht sahyds wood yoo lahyk |
| How would you like your meat cooked? | hou wood you lahyk yoor meet kookt |
| Do you need more time? | doo yoo need mawr tahym |
| Can I get you a refill? | kan ahy get yoo uh REE-fil |
| How is everything? | hou iz EV-ree-thing |
| Would you like any dessert? | wood yoo lahyk EN-ee dih-ZURT |
| Are you ready for the check? | ahr yoo RED-ee fawr thuh chek |
Your waiter or waitress might also use we instead of you when asking about what you want. The meaning is the same in this situation. The English verb tenses will be the same, too!
- Do you need more time? = Do we need more time?
- Are you ready for the check? = Are we ready for the check?
Sample conversations at a table-service restaurant
You will have to ask and answer a lot of questions when you go to a restaurant and sit down to eat. Use these examples as a guide to help you enjoy your experience.
Sample English conversation for arriving at a restaurant
If you go to a table-service restaurant, you will be greeted at the door.
- Welcome! Do you have a reservation?
- No.
- OK, how many people are in your party?
- Three adults and one child.
- Great! Follow me and I’ll take you to your table.
- Thank you.
Example conversation of placing your order in English
This conversation could happen at a counter or at your table, depending on the type of restaurant you go to.
- What would you like?
- I’m a vegetarian, and I don’t eat meat. Does this dish have meat in it?
- You can order it without meat.
- Then, I’d like the fettuccine alfredo, please.
- OK, great. That will be out in about 20 minutes.
Conversation example of talking to waitstaff during your meal
In the US, waitstaff will often visit your table while you’re eating. This is to ask if you have any questions or if you need anything.
- How is everything?
- The food is delicious, thank you.
- I’m glad to hear that. Would you like a refill of your Coke?
- Yes, please.
Example of what a conversation sounds like when paying the bill
At a fast-food or counter-service restaurant, you pay for your food before you sit down. At a table-service restaurant, you might have to ask for the check.
- Would you like any dessert?
- No, thank you. We’re ready for the check.
- OK, here you go. Thank you for dining with us!
Common phrases for making a reservation in English
If you want to make sure a table is available when you go out to eat, you can make a reservation. In the US, you only usually need a reservation for more formal restaurants or wildly popular casual dining places.
You make a reservation at a restaurant by calling them on the phone or using an online system. You will need to know:
- how many people will be going
- how many adults and children there will be
- what day you will be there
- what time you want to eat (This is a good opportunity to practice time in English!)
If you call, start the conversation with:
- Hi. I would like to make a reservation.
In response, here are some common English phrases you might see or hear:
| English | Pronunciation |
| How many people are in your party? | hou MEN-ee PEE-puhl ahr in yoor PAHR-tee |
| What date do you need the reservation for? | wuht deyt doo yoo need thuh rez-er-VEY-shuhn fawr |
| What time do you need the reservation for? | wuht tahym doo yoo need thuh rez-er-VEY-shuhn fawr |
| We have a table available at [time]. | wee hav uh TEY-buhl uh-VEY-luh-buhl at… |
| I’m sorry, but we’re fully booked for that date/time. | ahym SAWR-ee buht weer FOOL-ee bookt fawr that deyt/tahym |
| What name will the reservation be under? | wuht neym wil thuh rez-er-VEY-shuhn bee UHN-der |
| Do you have any dietary restrictions? | doo yoo hav EN-ee DAHY-i-ter-ee ri-STRIK-shuhnz |
How to read a menu in English
Menus in the US often have several pages. Look for the big words at the top of each section to find the type of food you want. Then, look at the specific dishes underneath that section. No matter what kind of restaurant you go to, these are common words you can expect on a menu.
| English | Pronunciation |
| appetizers/starters | AP-i-tahy-zerz/STAHR-terz |
| entrées/mains | AHN-treyz/meynz |
| sides | sahydz |
| desserts | dih-ZURTS |
| drinks/beverages | dringks/BEV-er-ijz |
| alcoholic | al-kuh-HAW-lik |
| non-alcoholic | non-al-kuh-HAW-lik |
| sandwiches | SAND-wichz |
| wraps | raps |
| soups | soops |
| salads | SAL-uhdz |
| burgers | BUR-gerz |
| pasta | PAH-stuh |
| pizza | PEET-suh |
| seafood | SEE-food |
| breakfast | BREK-fuhst |
| lunch | luhnch |
| dinner | DIN-er |
| specials | SPESH-uhlz |
Menus at counter-service restaurants
If you go to a restaurant where you order at a counter, the menu will probably be on a big board above the counter. In addition to the normal words on an English menu, you might see these terms:
- Build Your Own (BYO): If a fast-food or counter-service restaurant sells meals you can customize, you will have to go through several steps. These restaurants usually have all of the ingredients on a counter between you and the employee, so you can point at what you want.
- combo: Some restaurants offer combinations where you can add a drink and a side (like a bag of chips) to your main meal for an extra charge.
Menus at table-service restaurants
Some table-service restaurants have extra words for special menus, like:
- à la carte: A French word that means you order the parts of your meal separately. For example, you might pick your appetizer (like a salad), main meal (like a steak), and side (like potatoes) individually.
- happy hour: Some restaurants offer cheaper prices on alcoholic drinks and appetizers in the afternoon or early evening.
- drink menu: Not all restaurants include alcoholic beverages on the main menu. If you don’t see drinks like beer or wine on the menu, you can ask Do you have a drink menu?
Describing food allergies and dietary restrictions in English
If there are foods you can’t eat, you might have a dietary restriction. Use these phrases to ask about what’s in a meal and if it’s safe for you.
| English | Pronunciation |
| I’m allergic to… | ahym uh-LUR-jik too… |
| I can’t eat… | ahy kant eet… |
| Does this have…in it? | dohz this hav…in it? |
| beef | beef |
| pork | pawrk |
| chicken | CHIK-uhn |
| seafood | SEE-food |
| shellfish | SHEL-fish |
| egg | eg |
| milk | milk |
| cheese | cheez |
| butter | BUHT-er |
| dairy | DAIR-ee |
| gluten | GLOOT-n |
| honey | HUHN-ee |
| gelatin | JEL-uh-tn |
| nuts | nuhts |
| wheat | weet |
| soy | soi |
Most restaurants can answer questions about the ingredients in a meal. They might have to go to the kitchen and ask, but these phrases should be all you need.
- I’m allergic to shellfish.
- I can’t eat dairy.
- Does this have wheat in it? I’m allergic to gluten.
For some common dietary restrictions, you can also describe what you can and can’t eat by explaining your situation. For example, if you tell a waiter that you’re lactose intolerant, they will know you don’t eat milk, cheese, or other dairy products.
| English | Pronunciation |
| I keep halal. | ahy keep huh-LAHL |
| I keep kosher. | ahy keep KOH-sher |
| I’m a vegetarian. | ahym uh vej-i-TAIR-ee-uhn |
| I’m a pescatarian. | ahym uh pes-kuh-TAIR-ee-uhn |
| I’m a vegan. | ahym uh vee-guhn |
| I’m lactose intolerant. | ahym LAK-tohs in TOL-er-uhnt |
| I have diabetes. | ahy hav dahy-uh-BEE-teez |
If you want to explain more, you can include both types of information.
- I keep kosher. I can’t eat pork.
- I have diabetes. I can’t eat a lot of sugar.
How to pay for your food in English
How you pay for your food will depend on what kind of restaurant you go to. Most restaurants in the US will accept cash or card as a method of payment.
- fast food, counter service, or food truck: You will usually pay at a cash register. You don’t have to tip at these types of restaurants. Sometimes, there will be a tip jar near where you pay, but the tip is still optional.
- coffee shop: You will usually pay at a cash register. You don’t have to tip, but it’s nice to tip if you were at the coffee shop for a long time.
- table service: The waitstaff will usually bring your bill to you and take your payment away to process it. You are expected to tip.
- bar: You either pay for your drinks and/or food one at a time, or you open a tab, which is a list the barkeeper makes of everything you order. You pay your tab before you leave the bar. You are expected to tip.
These phrases will help you in most types of restaurants.
| English | Pronunciation |
| May I have the check, please? | mey ahy hav thuh chek pleez |
| Can I pay with cash? | kan ahy pey with kash |
| Can I pay with card? | kan ahy pey with kahrd |
| I’d like to close out my tab. | ahyd lahyk too klohz out mahy tab |
Words for types of restaurants in the US
You can find a lot of different restaurant types in the United States. This list includes common varieties and what you can expect at each one.
- fast food: You can either go inside to eat or order from the car using the drive-through. This includes restaurants like McDonald’s.
- counter service: You order your meal at a counter and pay at a cash register. You can also get a takeout order to eat outside the restaurant. This can include fast food.
- table service: You sit at a table in the restaurant and a waiter or waitress takes your order, serves your food, and brings you the bill.
- food truck: A Mobile restaurant where the kitchen is inside a truck, and you order at a window. There may or may not be tables set up nearby for you to eat at.
- coffee shop: Also called a café. The menu is usually limited to drinks and small plates. The main types of food are usually coffee, tea, and baked goods (like pastries).
- buffet: You pay one cost per person, and then you can eat as much as you like from the food set up on counters around the restaurant. You will pay the same price if you eat a little or a lot.
- bar: The menu is usually limited to alcoholic beverages (like beer or cocktails) and small plates. The cost varies widely depending on what you order.
Key takeaways about how to order food in English
If you’ve never ordered food in English before, the number of things to remember can be challenging. Just remember that it’s all part of learning how to speak English, and most restaurant workers are used to being patient and kind to everyone.
- Take your time reading the menu. You can ask for more time if you need to.
- Add a tip to your bill if you had waitstaff or a bartender serving you.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
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