Restaurant Service Vocabulary and Phrases

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and phrases used in restaurant service to aid effective communication with guests.

May I take your order?

Used to serve a guest and begin taking their food or drink order.

Appetizer

A small dish served before the main meal. Example: 'Would you like to start with an appetizer?'

How would you like your steak?

Used to ask about the cooking preference of the meat. Answers include Rare, Medium, Well-done.

Bill / Check

The statement of charges for the meal. Example: 'Can I get the bill, please?'

Would you like anything to drink?

A question offering beverages to the guest.

Reservation

A pre-booking for a table.

Enjoy your meal!

A friendly remark made when serving food.

Special of the day

The featured menu item for that particular day. Example: 'Our special of the day is grilled salmon.'

Is everything okay with your meal?

Used to check on the guest's satisfaction with their meal.

Tip / Gratuity

An additional payment as a reward for the service.

Greeting the guest

Example sentence: 'Good evening, welcome to [Restaurant Name]. Do you have a reservation?'

Escorting the guest to the table

Example sentence: 'Please follow me. This way, please.'

Offering the menu

Example sentence: 'Here is the menu. I’ll give you a few minutes to decide.'

Taking the drink order

Example sentence: 'Would you like something to drink while you look at the menu?'

Serving drinks

Example sentence: 'Here are your drinks. Enjoy!'

Taking the food order

Example sentence: 'Are you ready to order?'

Repeating the order

Example sentence: 'So that’s one grilled chicken, one vegetarian pasta, and two lemonades. Is that correct?'

Serving the food

Example sentence: 'Here is your grilled chicken. Please be careful, it’s hot.'

Checking back during the meal

Example sentence: 'Is everything to your satisfaction?'

Clearing the table (after main course)

Example sentence: 'May I clear your plates?'

Offering dessert and coffee/tea

Example sentence: 'Would you like to see the dessert menu?'

Presenting the bill/check

Example sentence: 'Here is your check. You can pay whenever you’re ready.'

Thanking the guest and saying goodbye

Example sentence: 'Thank you for dining with us. We hope to see you again!'

I’m very sorry to hear that.

An expression of empathy when a guest shares a complaint.

Let me fix that for you right away.

Indicates readiness to resolve an issue promptly.

Can you please tell me what went wrong?

Used to understand the guest's issue more clearly.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Appreciation for a guest who has reported a complaint.

Would you prefer a replacement or something else from the menu?

Offering alternative solutions to the guest.

I will inform the manager right away.

Indicating that the problem will be taken seriously.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

A formal expression to apologize for any discomfort.

We’ll take this item off your bill.

A compensation solution, such as removing an item from the charge.

I understand how you feel.

Showing empathy without placing blame.

We’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Reassuring the guest that future issues will be addressed.