English - Lesson 102 of 139: Cafe Restaurant

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

A table for ___, please.

request a table

Meaning: request a table

When to use: When you arrive at a cafe or restaurant and want seating; supply the number of people.

A table for two, please.

Use this when you need a table for two people.

A table for four, please.

Use this to tell the host how many people are in your group.

Do you have a table available?

ask if seating is available

Meaning: ask if seating is available

When to use: When you walk in without a reservation and want to know if the restaurant can seat you now.

Do you have a table available?

A simple way to check if there is seating now.

Excuse me — do you have a table available for three?

Add a number to specify your party size.

Can I see the menu, please?

ask for a menu

Meaning: ask for a menu

When to use: When you want to see options to order food or drinks.

Can I see the menu, please?

Polite request to look at the menu.

Could I see the menu? I'm ready to choose.

Adds context that you plan to order soon.

I'd like ___, please.

order food or drink

Meaning: order food or drink

When to use: When you are ready to order and want a polite, flexible phrase to name your item.

I'd like a latte, please.

Polite way to order a drink.

I'd like the vegetable soup, please.

Use this to order a dish from the menu.

Can I get ___ without ___?

modify an order

Meaning: modify an order

When to use: When you want to change part of your order, like removing an ingredient.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'no onions' instead of 'without onions' which can sound abrupt.

Can I get the burger without onions?

Ask to remove an ingredient from your order.

Can I get the salad without cheese?

Use this to make simple substitutions or exclusions.

Is this dish spicy?

ask about a dish

Meaning: ask about a dish

When to use: When you are unsure about a menu item and want to know its characteristics, such as spice level.

Is this dish spicy?

Ask about spiciness before you order.

Is this soup spicy or mild?

Add contrast words to get more detail.

Could we have some water, please?

request water or table items

Meaning: request water or table items

When to use: When you and your group need water or shared items at the table.

Could we have some water, please?

Polite group request for water.

Could we have some more water, please?

Ask for additional water during the meal.

We're ready to order.

say you are ready to order

Meaning: say you are ready to order

When to use: When the server checks in and you want to move forward from looking at the menu to ordering.

We're ready to order.

Tell the server your group is ready to order now.

Actually, we're ready to order now.

Use this if you need to interrupt shortly to order.

Can we pay separately?

ask to split payment

Meaning: ask to split payment

When to use: When the bill arrives and you want separate checks or to divide costs.

Can we pay separately?

Ask the server if you can have different bills.

Can we split the bill, please?

Alternate way to ask to divide the payment.

How long is the wait?

ask about waiting time

Meaning: ask about waiting time

When to use: When no table is free and you want to know how long the wait will be.

How long is the wait?

Ask for the estimated waiting time.

How long is the wait for a table for two?

Include party size for a more accurate answer.

Can we sit outside?

ask for seating preference

Meaning: ask for seating preference

When to use: When you prefer a specific seating area, such as outside or by a window.

Can we sit outside?

Ask politely to be seated outdoors.

If possible, can we sit outside?

Softer phrasing to make it more polite.

I'll have the ___.

order an item

Meaning: order an item

When to use: When you want to choose a menu item in a natural conversational way.

I'll have the pancakes.

Common spoken way to order a menu item.

I'll have the chicken sandwich, please.

Polite and casual for ordering food.

Does it come with ___?

ask what is included with a dish

Meaning: ask what is included with a dish

When to use: When you want to know if sides or other items come with the dish you want.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'Is there fries?' instead of 'Does it come with fries?' which is less natural.

Does it come with fries?

Ask whether a particular side is included.

Does the pasta come with garlic bread?

Check what is included with a main dish.

English - Cafe Restaurant

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase asks to split the bill?

Which phrase politely asks to see food options?

Which phrase is best to remove an ingredient from your order?

Which phrase asks if a menu item is hot in taste?

When the waiter comes over, Anna says: 'We're ready to order.' because they have decided.

Before ordering, David asks: 'Do you have a table available?' to check if the place has room now.

At the counter Anna asks, 'Can I see the menu, please?' because she wants to check the options.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice