Ordering Food and Drinks
A waiter takes a customer's order for food and beverages, potentially answering questions about menu items or making recommendations.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
menu
A list of food and drink options available at a restaurant. Use it when asking if someone has seen the choices.
order
To request food or drinks from a waiter. It's a key verb in restaurant situations, like 'ready to order'.
main course
The primary dish of a meal, usually eaten after appetizers. It's useful for discussing meal structure.
recommend
To suggest something good based on opinion. Customers often ask waiters to recommend dishes.
house favorite
A popular dish at that specific restaurant. It helps highlight specialties when recommending.
sparkling water
Carbonated or fizzy water, without sugar. Common drink order in restaurants for a refreshing option.
delicious
Very tasty or enjoyable to eat. Use it to praise food or agree with a recommendation.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Have you had a chance to look at our menu?
This is a polite way for waiters to check if customers are ready. 'Had a chance' softens the question, making it indirect and courteous. Useful for service interactions.
I think we're ready to order.
Indicates preparedness to place an order. 'I think' adds politeness and hesitation, common in casual speech. Great for signaling to waitstaff.
What would you recommend?
Asks for a suggestion on menu items. The conditional 'would' makes it polite and hypothetical. Essential for getting advice in restaurants.
Both are popular, but the Pan-Seared Salmon is a house favorite.
Compares options while highlighting one. 'But' shows contrast, and 'house favorite' promotes the dish. Useful for waiters making suggestions.
That sounds lovely!
Expresses positive interest in a suggestion. 'Sounds' refers to the description, and 'lovely' means appealing. A natural way to show enthusiasm.
I'll go with the Pan-Seared Salmon then.
Decides on an option after discussion. 'Go with' means choose, and 'then' connects to the previous recommendation. Practical for finalizing choices.
Is there anything else I can get for you right now?
Offers additional service politely. 'Can get for you' implies helping, and 'right now' specifies timing. Standard waiter phrase to ensure satisfaction.
No, that will be all for now, thank you!
Declines more items. 'That will be all' means nothing else, and 'for now' leaves room for later. Polite closure to ordering.