Practice
English practice: food and restaurant English
Sign in to saveAt a busy restaurant, a few useful sentences make the meal easier: Could I have the soup, please? and Could we have the bill, please?
Use clear, polite English to choose food, order a meal, ask a simple question, and pay in a restaurant.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Could we have the bill, please? /kʊd wi hæv ðə bɪl pliːz/
The short answer
For a polite order, say Could I have ..., please? or I would like ..., please. To ask for information, use Does this contain ...? or What comes with ...?
Could I have the grilled chicken, please?
Why it works: Could I have makes a direct order sound polite and clear.
4 more examples
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Could we have a table for two at seven, please?
For two tells the restaurant how many people will eat.
Not this:We
have a tablenear the window. What changes: This statement says where people are sitting; it is not a booking request. -
What comes with the fish?
Use this question to ask about side dishes or other items included with a meal.
Not this:The fish
comes with riceand vegetables. What changes: The statement gives the information instead of asking for it. -
Could I have water without ice, please?
Without tells the server what you do not want in a drink or dish.
Not this:Could I have
sparkling water, please? What changes: This order chooses a type of water rather than changing how it is served. -
Could we have the bill, please?
Ask for the bill when your group is ready to pay.
Not this:Can we
pay by card? What changes: This asks about a payment method, not for the total.
Read the full guide
Read the menu first and choose the words you need. Use a polite opening for an order or request. If you do not understand a dish, ask before you order. At the end, ask for the bill rather than calling out pay.
Book or ask for a table
A table for two means a table with seats for two people. Add the time when you make a booking. At the restaurant, ask Do you have a table for two? if you did not book ahead. Use please to keep the request polite.
Do you have a table for four?
For four says how many guests need seats.
How do you ask for a table for one person?
Say: Do you have a table for one, please?
Ask about a dish before you order
Ask a short question when the menu is unclear. What comes with the pasta? asks about side dishes. Does this contain dairy? asks about an ingredient. If you have an allergy, state it clearly and ask the restaurant for guidance.
Does this soup contain milk?
Does begins a simple present question about one dish.
What comes with the burger?
This asks what is included with the main dish.
Order food politely
Could I have and I would like are useful for an order. Name the dish after the phrase and add please. Use could we have when you speak for the table. These patterns are friendly and clear without being long.
I would like the vegetable curry, please.
I would like is a polite order for one person.
Order two coffees for your table.
Say: Could we have two coffees, please?
Change part of an order
Use without to remove something and with to add or choose something. You can also say no onions, please. Keep the request specific so the server can check it with the kitchen.
Could I have the salad without cheese, please?
Without cheese explains the requested change.
Could I have my tea with lemon?
With lemon names what the guest wants added.
Ask to pay
When you have finished, ask for the bill. If you need a separate bill, ask before payment: Could we have separate bills, please? You can then ask whether a card is accepted or say you would like to pay by card.
Could we have separate bills, please?
Separate bills means each person receives their own amount to pay.
Ask if the restaurant accepts cards.
Say: Can we pay by card?
Before you go
Remember this
Use could I have or I would like to order politely. Ask what comes with a dish when you need details. State dietary needs clearly, and use could we have the bill when you are ready to pay.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "English practice: food and restaurant English"
How can I order food politely in English?
Use Could I have followed by the item and please, or say I would like followed by the item and please. Both forms are clear and polite when you speak to a server.
Could we have a table for two at seven, please?
How do I ask about ingredients in a restaurant?
Ask Does this contain followed by the ingredient, such as milk or nuts. If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, state it clearly and ask the restaurant for guidance before you order.
We have a table near the window.
What does a table for two mean?
A table for two is a table with seats for two people. Change the final number to match your group: a table for one, four, or six.
What comes with the fish?
What is the difference between the bill and the menu?
The menu lists the food and drinks you can choose. The bill gives the amount to pay after your meal. In some varieties of English, especially North American English, check can also mean the bill.
The fish comes with rice and vegetables.
How can I ask to change part of my order?
Use with for something you want added and without for something you do not want. For example, ask for a salad without cheese or tea with lemon, then add please.
Could I have the grilled chicken, please?