Eating out

You’re at a restaurant and you’re not sure what to order. You want to ask the server which dish they suggest. What do you say?

What do you recommend?

• What do you recommend for a first-time visitor?

• What do you recommend if I want something light?

• What do you recommend for someone who doesn’t eat meat?

You’re ordering a dish at a restaurant and want to know whether it is served with a side dish. What do you say?

Does this come with…?

Examples:

• Does this come with a salad?

• Does this come with fries?

You’ve finished your meal at a restaurant and you’re ready to pay. You want to politely ask the server for the bill. What do you say?

Could we get the check?

Examples:

• Could we get the check when you have a chance?

• Could we get the check, please?

You want to politely ask someone to do something, but you don’t want to pressure them. You mean “هر وقت فرصت کردی”. What phrase can you use?

when you have a chance

Examples:

• Let me know when you have a chance.

• Could you take a look at this when you have a chance?

You’re ordering a dish at a restaurant, but you don’t want the sauce mixed into the food. You want the sauce served separately. What do you say?

get the sauce on the side

Examples:

• Could I get the sauce on the side?

• Can I get the dressing on the side?

You’re ordering at a restaurant and want to ask for something to be left out of your dish. What do you say?

Could I get … without …?

Examples:

• Could I get the burger without onions?

• Could I get the salad without cheese?

You’re at a restaurant for the first time and want to ask the server which dishes are popular with customers. What do you say?

What’s popular here?

Examples:

• What’s popular here? I’m not sure what to order.

• What’s popular here for dinner?

You’re looking at a dish on the menu and want to know what ingredients it contains. What do you ask?

What’s in this dish?

Examples:

• What’s in this dish? Does it contain nuts?

• What’s in this dish? I’m allergic to dairy.

You couldn’t finish your meal at a restaurant and want to take the leftovers home. What do you ask the server?

Could you pack this up for me?

Examples:

• Could you pack this up for me? I’d like to take it home.

• Could you pack this up for me? I’m too full to finish it.

The server asks what you’d like to order. You’ve decided what you want and are ready to place your order. What do you say?

I’ll have the…

Examples:

• I’ll have the grilled chicken, please.

• I’ll have the pasta with tomato sauce.

You walk into a restaurant with one other person and need a table. What do you say to the host?

Could we get a table for two?

Examples:

• Could we get a table for two near the window?

• Could we get a table for two, please?

You’re thinking about ordering a dish, but you don’t like spicy food. What do you ask the server?

Is this dish spicy?

Examples:

• Is this dish spicy? I don’t eat spicy food.

• Is this dish spicy, or is it pretty mild?

You’re eating with a friend and each of you wants to pay for your own meal. What do you ask?

Can we split the bill?

Examples:

• Can we split the bill between the two of us?

• Can we split the bill and pay separately?

The server wants to clear your plate, but you haven’t finished your food yet. What do you say?

I’m still working on it.

Examples:

• I’m still working on it. I’ll let you know when I’m finished.

• Thanks, but I’m still working on it.

There are some empty plates on your table, and the server asks if they can clear them. You want to say yes. What do you say?

You can take these.

Examples:

• You can take these. We’re finished with them.

• Yes, you can take these.

The server asks if you’re ready to order, but you need a few more minutes to look at the menu. What do you say?

Not quite. Could we have a few more minutes to decide?

Examples:

• Not quite. Could we have a few more minutes to decide what we want?

• Not quite. We’re still looking at the menu.

The server asks if you’ve decided what to order, but you haven’t made up your mind yet. What do you say?

I’m still deciding.

Examples:

• I’m still deciding. Everything looks so good.

• I’m still deciding between the pasta and the steak.

The server wants to know whether you’re done with the plate in front of you. What might they ask?

Are you finished with that?

Examples:

• Are you finished with that, or would you like to keep it?

• Are you finished with that plate?

The server has given you some time to look at the menu and now wants to know if you’re ready to order. What do they ask?

Are you ready to order?

Examples:

• Are you ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?

• Are you ready to order, or would you like some more time?

You’ve just sat down at a restaurant, and the server wants to ask whether you’d like a drink. What do they say?

Can I get you something to drink?

Examples:

• Can I get you something to drink while you look at the menu?

• Can I get you something to drink to start?

Your friend has just ordered something that sounds good, and you want to order the same thing.

I’ll have the same.

Examples:

• I’ll have the same, please.

• She’ll have the pasta, and I’ll have the same.

You really like your drink and want to order one more of the same thing.

Could I get another one?

Examples:

• Could I get another one, please?

• This is really good. Could I get another one?

You’re looking at the bill and want to know whether the service charge has already been added.

Is service included?

Examples:

• Is service included in the bill?

• Is service included, or should we leave a tip?

You’ve finished your main course and want to ask the server what dessert options they have.

What do you have for dessert?

Examples:

• What do you have for dessert today?

• What do you have for dessert? I’m in the mood for something sweet.

You can’t finish your meal and want the restaurant to pack it so you can take it home.

Could I get this to go?

Examples:

• Could I get this to go, please?

• I can’t finish this. Could I get this to go?

You’ve been waiting for your food for quite a while and want the server to find out what’s happening with your order.

Could you check on our order?

Examples:

• Could you check on our order? We’ve been waiting for a while.

• Excuse me, could you check on our order?

Your food has gotten cold, and you want the restaurant to warm it up again.

Could we get this reheated?

Examples:

• Could we get this reheated, please?

• The food is a little cold. Could we get this reheated?

Your food hasn’t arrived yet, and you’ve been waiting for quite some time. You want to politely mention this to the server.

We’ve been waiting for a while.

Examples:

• We’ve been waiting for a while. Could you check on our order?

• Sorry, we’ve been waiting for a while. Is our order coming soon?

The server brings your food, but it’s different from what you originally ordered. What do you say?

This isn’t what I ordered.

Examples:

• Excuse me, this isn’t what I ordered.

• Sorry, but this isn’t what I ordered. I ordered the chicken.

You’re at a restaurant and the water on your table is running low. You want to politely ask the server for more water. What do you say?

Could we get some more water?

Examples:

• Could we get some more water, please?

• Could we get some more water for the table?