At the Restaurant — Ordering Food in English

Transcript

A: Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Recursio Podcast — easy English conversations for learners.

B: Hi! Great to have you with us again. Today’s topic is delicious.

A: It really is. Today we’re going to a restaurant — in English, of course.

B: From booking a table to paying the bill, you’ll hear every phrase you need for eating out.

A: As always: listen first, read the captions if you need them, and repeat the useful phrases out loud.

B: And one small thing before we start: you can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — the link is in the description.

A: Okay. I’m hungry. Let’s go.

Booking a table

B: First things first. Before you go to a nice restaurant, you usually book a table.

A: To book a table means to reserve it — to call or go online and say: this table is mine tonight.

B: For example: I’d like to book a table for two, please.

A: A table for two. That little “for” is doing a lot of work there.

B: Right! For two, for four, for six people. And they will ask: For what time?

A: For seven thirty, please. And that’s it — you have a reservation.

B: Let’s say the whole thing slowly. I’d like to book a table… for two… at seven thirty.

A: Nice. And if you didn’t book? You can still ask at the door: Do you have a table for two?

B: They might say “Of course, follow me” — or “I’m sorry, we’re fully booked.”

A: Fully booked means no free tables at all. It happens with popular places on Fridays.

B: So book early — the phrase and the table.

Ordering: “I’ll have…”

A: Okay, we’re sitting at the table, looking at the menu. And here comes the waiter.

B: The classic question: Are you ready to order?

A: If you need a minute, that’s completely fine. Just say: Could we have a few more minutes, please?

B: Nobody will be upset, I promise. But when you ARE ready, here is the golden phrase.

A: I’ll have…

B: Yes! In English you don’t say “I want a pizza” — it sounds a bit direct. You say: I’ll have the pasta, please.

A: I’ll have the salmon. I’ll have a coffee. I’ll have the soup to start.

B: Try it yourself. Imagine the waiter is waiting. Order your favorite dish out loud.

A: Perfect, whatever you said. Another polite option: Could I get the chicken salad?

B: Could I get… — same idea, very common, especially in the US.

A: And if you want to change something: Could I get the salad, but without onions?

B: The waiter might also ask: Anything to drink?

A: Just water for me, please. Or: A glass of red wine, please.

B: See how “please” finishes almost every sentence here? It’s small, and it matters.

A: Now, what if you don’t eat meat? Or you can’t eat something?

B: Very important. You can ask: Do you have any vegetarian options?

A: Options — that’s a useful word. Vegetarian options, gluten-free options.

B: And if you have an allergy, don’t be shy about it. Say it clearly: I’m allergic to nuts.

A: I’m allergic to nuts. I’m allergic to seafood. Short, clear, and the kitchen will thank you.

B: You can also ask about the dish itself: What’s in it? Or: Does it come with fries?

A: Does it come with… — lovely pattern. Does it come with salad? Does it come with rice?

B: Say this one with me, slowly: Does it come… with fries?

A: If the answer is yes, my answer is also yes.

During the meal

B: The food arrives. It smells amazing. And after a few minutes, the waiter comes back and asks…

A: How is everything?

B: This is not a deep philosophical question. It just means: is the food okay?

A: The answer is usually short: It’s delicious, thank you. Or simply: Great, thanks!

B: If something is wrong, you can say it politely: Excuse me, I’m sorry, but this is a bit cold.

A: Excuse me is your magic opener for getting attention in a restaurant.

B: Excuse me — could we get some more bread?

A: Excuse me — could I have another fork?

B: And don’t leave without checking one more page of the menu. The best page.

A: Ah yes. Could we see the dessert menu, please?

B: Ten seconds later: I’ll have the cheesecake. Same golden phrase, sweeter situation.

A: And with dessert, the classic question: Would you like coffee with that?

B: Would you like… — that’s how offers sound in English. Would you like some more water? Would you like anything else?

A: The polite yes: Yes, please. The polite no: No, thank you, I’m fine.

B: Or my favorite after a big dinner: No, thank you — I couldn’t eat another bite.

A: I couldn’t eat another bite — it means I’m completely full, in the friendliest way possible.

B: Try saying it like you mean it, right after imaginary cheesecake.

B: Quick note in the middle of our dinner: we’ve already collected quite a few phrases today.

A: If you’re thinking “how will I remember all of them?” — that’s exactly what Recursio is for. Save the phrases from this episode, and the app brings them back for practice right before you forget them.

B: No pressure — the link is in the description. Now, back to the table. I think we’re finishing our plates.

Paying: the bill, splitting, tipping

A: And now the moment of truth. We need to pay. What do we ask for?

B: Could we get the bill, please?

A: In American English you’ll also hear “check” — Could we get the check?

B: Same thing, different word. Bill in the UK, check in the US, and everybody understands both.

A: Now, we’re two people. Who pays?

B: Good question! If you share the cost, you split the bill.

A: To split the bill means everyone pays their part. Shall we split the bill?

B: Or one person can be generous: It’s on me.

A: Ooh, I love that phrase. It’s on me means I’m paying — my treat.

B: Careful with that one, it can get expensive!

A: And one more thing before we leave — the tip.

B: To leave a tip means to leave some extra money for the service. In some countries it’s expected, in others it’s optional.

A: For example: The service was great, let’s leave a tip.

B: And you can pay however you like: Can I pay by card? — is always a safe question.

When something goes wrong

A: Let’s be honest — sometimes things go wrong at a restaurant. The order is late, or it’s not what you asked for.

B: And this is where learners often go silent, because complaining feels scary in another language.

A: But polite complaining in English is actually a formula. It starts with: Excuse me, I’m afraid…

B: I’m afraid softens everything after it. Excuse me, I’m afraid this isn’t what I ordered.

A: I ordered the chicken, but this is fish. No drama — just facts, with a soft opening.

B: Or: Excuse me, I’m afraid my soup is cold. Could you heat it up, please?

A: Could you… — and the problem becomes a request. Could you heat it up? Could you check on our order?

B: That last one is gold for slow evenings: Could you check on our order? We’ve been waiting for a while.

A: Notice what we never say: “This is bad!” or “I don’t like it!” — grammatically correct, socially explosive.

B: Exactly. Soft opening, clear fact, polite request. That’s the whole art.

A: Let’s practice the opening together, slowly: Excuse me… I’m afraid…

B: Beautiful. May all your soups be hot anyway.

Takeaway or eat in?

A: One more situation — quick food places. There’s a question they always ask.

B: Eat in or takeaway?

A: Eat in means you eat there, in the café. Takeaway means you take the food with you.

B: In the US you’ll hear “for here or to go?” — same question, American style.

A: For here, please. Or: To go, please. Two words, and you sound natural.

B: And if you order at home, that’s delivery — but that’s a topic for another day.

Recap quiz

A: Quiz time! We ask, you answer out loud. Ready?

B: Question one. You want a table for tonight, for you and a friend. What do you say on the phone?

A: I’d like to book a table for two, please.

B: Question two. The waiter asks “Are you ready to order?” You want the pasta. What do you say?

A: I’ll have the pasta, please. Not “give me pasta”!

B: Question three. You finished eating and want to pay. What do you ask?

A: Could we get the bill, please? Or the check, if you’re feeling American.

B: Question four. You and your friend want to pay half and half. What is that called?

A: To split the bill.

B: Question five. You can’t eat nuts. How do you tell the waiter?

A: I’m allergic to nuts. Clear and simple.

B: Question six. Your food is taking forever. What’s the polite way to ask about it?

A: Excuse me, could you check on our order? We’ve been waiting for a while.

B: And question seven. Your friend says “It’s on me”. Should you be happy?

A: Very happy — they’re paying!

B: If you got all seven, excellent. If not — that’s what review is for.

Recap + practice in Recursio

A: Let’s run through today’s menu of phrases one more time.

B: To book a table for two. Fully booked. Are you ready to order?

A: I’ll have the pasta, please. Could I get… How is everything?

B: Could we get the bill? Split the bill. It’s on me. Leave a tip.

A: And at the counter: eat in or takeaway — for here or to go.

B: That’s a full dinner of English right there.

A: If you want to keep these phrases, open the link below — this lesson is ready to practice in Recursio.

B: Dictation, sentence building, speaking — a few minutes a day, and next time you eat out, the English will just be there.

A: Thanks for listening! Tell us in the comments: what’s your favorite dish to order in English?

B: See you on Wednesday for the next episode. Bon appétit!

A: Bye everyone!