Eating out means going to a restaurant, café, or other place to have a meal instead of cooking at home. This vocabulary will help you understand menus, order food, talk to waiters, and pay the bill.
Restaurants
These are common words for different types of places where you can eat out.
| English | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | A place where you pay to eat food served by staff | We went to a new Italian restaurant last night. |
| Café | A small place that serves coffee and light meals | Let's meet at the café for breakfast. |
| Diner | A casual, often American-style restaurant | We had burgers at a 24-hour diner. |
| Fast food | A place that serves quick, inexpensive meals | I grabbed a burger at the fast food place. |
| Buffet | A meal where you serve yourself from a variety of dishes | The hotel had a breakfast buffet. |
| Takeout | Food you order to eat somewhere else | We got takeout from the Chinese restaurant. |
| Pub | A bar that also serves food, common in the UK | We had dinner at the local pub. |
| Food court | An area in a mall with multiple food vendors | Let’s eat at the food court in the mall. |
| Fine dining | A high-end restaurant with formal service | They celebrated their anniversary at a fine dining restaurant. |
| Drive-thru | A window where you order and pick up food without leaving your car | I ordered coffee through the drive-thru. |
Menu
Here are words to help you understand and navigate a menu.
| English | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | A small dish before the main meal | We shared an appetizer of stuffed mushrooms. |
| Starter | Another word for appetizer, used especially in British English | The soup was a delicious starter. |
| Main course | The largest and most important part of the meal | Chicken curry was the main course. |
| Dessert | A sweet dish eaten at the end of a meal | For dessert, I had chocolate cake. |
| Side dish | A smaller dish served alongside the main course | I ordered fries as a side dish. |
| Beverage | A drink, such as water, soda, or coffee | The menu has a list of beverages. |
| Special | A dish not always on the menu, often made fresh | Today’s special is grilled salmon. |
| Vegan | A meal with no animal products | They have a vegan option available. |
| Gluten-free | A meal made without gluten (a protein in wheat) | I need a gluten-free main course. |
| Course | One part of a meal (e.g., starter, main, dessert) | The dinner had three courses. |
You want a small dish to start before the main meal. What do you order?
- Appetizer
- Starter
An appetizer (or starter) is a small dish served before the main course. Main course is the main part of the meal, dessert is sweet at the end, and side dish accompanies the main.
Ordering
These words and phrases will help you order food and communicate with the staff.
| English | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Menu | The list of food and drinks available | Can I see the menu, please? |
| Order | To ask for food or drinks | I’d like to order the pasta. |
| Recommend | To suggest a dish or drink | What do you recommend? |
| Waiter / Waitress | The person who serves you | Our waiter was very friendly. |
| Bill / Check | The paper that shows how much you owe | Could we have the bill, please? |
| Reservation | An arrangement to have a table at a certain time | I made a reservation for two at 7 pm. |
| Tip | Extra money given for good service | We left a 15% tip. |
| Takeaway / To-go | Food packaged to eat elsewhere | Can I get this to-go? |
| Allergies | Health conditions that require avoiding certain foods | I have a nut allergy. |
| Substitute | To replace one ingredient with another | Can I substitute salad for fries? |
Paying
These words help you understand how to pay and handle money when eating out.
| English | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bill / Check | The list of what you ordered and how much it costs | The check came quickly. |
| Tip / Gratuity | Extra money given for good service | We left a tip for the waiter. |
| Split the bill | To divide the cost among several people | Let’s split the bill three ways. |
| Cash | Paper money and coins | I paid with cash. |
| Credit card | A card used to pay instead of cash | Can I pay by credit card? |
| Debit card | A card that withdraws money directly from your bank account | She used her debit card to pay. |
| Change | Money returned when you pay more than the cost | I got five dollars in change. |
| Receipt | The paper showing proof of payment | Keep the receipt for returns. |
| Tip included | The service charge is already added to the bill | The bill says tip included. |
| Service charge | A fixed amount added for the staff’s service | There’s a 10% service charge. |
You want to pay without using cash. Which card can you use?
- Credit card
- Debit card
Credit and debit cards allow you to pay without cash. Change is money returned, receipt is proof of payment, and tip included means the service charge is already added.
Common Phrases
These are useful sentences for speaking and understanding conversations while eating out.
| English | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Can I get …? | A polite way to order something | Can I get a coffee, please? |
| I’ll have … | Another way to say what you want to order | I’ll have the Caesar salad. |
| Could we have the bill? | A polite way to ask for the check | Could we have the bill, please? |
| Is this table taken? | To ask if you can sit somewhere | Is this table taken? |
| I’m ready to order. | To tell the waiter you’re ready | I’m ready to order now. |
| Does it come with …? | To ask about side dishes or extras | Does it come with rice? |
| I’m allergic to … | To inform about food allergies | I’m allergic to shellfish. |
| Is there a vegetarian option? | To ask about meat-free meals | Is there a vegetarian option? |
| Can I have it to go? | To ask for leftover food to take home | Can I have the rest to go? |
| Thank you, everything was great. | A polite way to compliment the meal | Thank you, everything was great. |
Tips and Etiquette
Understanding social customs helps you eat out respectfully in different cultures.
| English | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tipping | Leaving extra money for the server, common in some countries | In the US, tipping 15-20% is standard. |
| Waiting your turn | Being patient for a table or service | We waited 20 minutes for a table. |
| Using utensils | Knowing which fork, knife, or spoon to use | In formal dining, start with the outer utensils. |
| Saying “Excuse me” | Politely getting the waiter’s attention | Excuse me, can we order more drinks? |
| Not rushing | Taking your time to enjoy the meal | It’s polite not to rush in a fine dining restaurant. |
| Sharing dishes | Asking if it’s okay to share food | Can we share the appetizer? |
| Seating | How to find or wait for a table | The host will seat you shortly. |
| Removing plates | Waiters usually clear plates between courses | They took away our empty plates quickly. |
| Checking the order | Make sure your food is correct before eating | This isn’t what I ordered. |
| Complimenting | Saying something nice about the meal or service | The dessert was delicious, thank you! |
Eating out vocabulary helps you navigate social situations, enjoy your meals, and communicate clearly in any restaurant. Next time you dine out, you’ll have the words and phrases you need to feel confident and comfortable.
Flashcards (1 of 60)
- Definition: A place where you pay to eat food served by staff
- Example: We went to a new Italian restaurant last night.
- English: Restaurant
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
