Vocabulary
10 key words for this lesson
MENU
A list of the food and drinks in a restaurant.
I'm hungry. Let's see what's on the menu.
MEAL
The food you eat at one time, like lunch or dinner.
This meal looks delicious!
ORDER
To ask for food or drinks in a restaurant.
We're ready to order.
DECIDE
To choose what you want.
I need to decide what to eat.
STARTER
Small food before the main meal. (US: appetizer)
Let's share a starter.
MAIN COURSE
The biggest part of the meal.
I'll have the chicken as my main course.
SIDE
A small dish you eat with your main course.
I'll have a salad as a side.
WAITER / WAITRESS
A man / woman who brings food and drinks in a restaurant.
The waitress brought our drinks.
BOOTH
A cosy table with a long seat along the wall.
Can we sit in a booth, please?
RESERVATION
When you ask the restaurant to keep a table for you.
We have a reservation under Smith.
Phrases
7 phrases and their meanings
Table for how many?
The waiter asks how many people are with you.
"Table for how many?" → "Two, please."
We have a reservation under…
Tell the waiter your booking name.
"We have a reservation under Smith for four people."
I'll have…, please.
The most common way to order.
"I'll have the grilled salmon, please."
I need a moment to decide.
Ask for more time to look at the menu.
"Sorry, I need a moment to decide."
Can you come back in a minute?
Ask the waiter to return later.
"I'm not sure yet. Can you come back in a minute?"
Would you like to add a side?
The waiter asks if you want a small extra dish.
"Would you like to add a side?" → "Yes, the fries, please."
That's all for now, thank you.
Say you are finished ordering.
"Anything else?" → "No, that's all for now, thank you."
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“"I'll have…" and "I'd like…" are both polite. "I want…" can sound rude.”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
KiraHello and welcome! Table for how many?
Two, please. We have a reservation under Kira.
Yes, here you are. Would you like a table or a booth?
A booth, please.
Here is the menu. Can I start you off with something to drink?
I'll have a glass of water for now, please. My friend is coming soon.
Of course. Are you ready to order your meal?
I need a moment to decide. Can you come back in a minute?
No problem. …So, are you ready now?
Yes. I'll start with the Caesar salad as a starter. For my main course, I'll have the grilled salmon, please.
Would you like to add a side?
Yes, the fries, please. That's all for now, thank you.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
Table for how— — —?
Sentence 2
We have a— — —under Smith.
Sentence 3
I'll— — —the chicken, please.
Sentence 4
I need a moment to— — —.
Sentence 5
I'll have a salad as a— — —.
Sentence 6
That's all for— — —, thank you.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.The waiter asks "Table for how many?". What do you say?
2.You are not ready to order. What do you say?
3.What is a "starter"?
4.Which is the most polite way to order?
5.In the dialogue, what does Kira order as her main course?
6.What side does Kira order?