Vocabulary
9 key words for this lesson
SPECIALS
Dishes offered for a limited time, not on the normal menu.
What are today's specials?
GLUTEN-FREE
Without gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
VEGAN
Someone who eats and uses no animal products at all.
Do you have any vegan desserts?
VEGETARIAN
Someone who doesn't eat meat or fish, but usually eats eggs and dairy.
Is the soup vegetarian?
ALLERGIC
When your body reacts badly to certain things, like nuts.
I'm allergic to peanuts.
CONDIMENTS
Things like ketchup or mustard that you add to food.
The condiments are on the table.
SAUCE
A liquid served with food to add flavour.
Could I have the sauce on the side?
DISH
Food prepared in a particular way and served on a plate.
What's the most popular dish here?
RESTROOM
A room with a toilet in a public place. (UK: toilets)
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Phrases
7 phrases and their meanings
What are the daily specials?
Ask about dishes available only today.
"Before we order, what are the daily specials?"
Could you tell me more about this dish?
Ask for details about a menu item.
"Could you tell me more about the seafood risotto?"
Are there any vegetarian / vegan options?
Ask about meat-free or animal-free food.
"My friend is vegan. Are there any vegan options?"
I'm allergic to… Does this dish contain any?
Explain an allergy and check the ingredients.
"I'm allergic to nuts. Does this dish contain any?"
Can I customise this dish?
Ask to change something in a dish.
"Can I customise this burger? No onions, extra cheese."
Could I have the sauce on the side?
Ask for the sauce in a separate small bowl.
"Could I have the dressing on the side, please?"
What are your house specialities?
Ask what the restaurant is famous for.
"It's our first time here. What are your house specialities?"
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“Always say "allergic TO": "I'm allergic to shellfish." With allergies, it's good to be very clear and direct — politeness can come after.”
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
KiraGood evening! Here are your menus. Can I get you anything to start?
Thank you. First, what are the daily specials?
Today we have a lamb tagine and a mushroom and spinach lasagne.
Could you tell me more about the lasagne? My friend is vegetarian.
It's completely vegetarian, with ricotta and a tomato sauce. We can also make it gluten-free.
Perfect. And I'm allergic to nuts. Does the tagine contain any?
It has almonds on top, but the chef can leave them out.
Great, I'll have the tagine without almonds, please — and could I have the yoghurt on the side?
Of course. I'll tell the kitchen about your allergy. Anything else?
That's all for now. Oh — where's the restroom, please?
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
What are the daily— — —?
Sentence 2
I'm allergic— — —shellfish.
Sentence 3
Are there any— — —options? I don't eat meat.
Sentence 4
Could I have the sauce on the— — —?
Sentence 5
Can I— — —this dish? No onions, please.
Sentence 6
What's the most popular— — —here?
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.What does a vegan NOT eat?
2.Which sentence is correct?
3.What does "on the side" mean?
4.What are "specials"?
5.In the dialogue, why can't Kira eat the tagine as it is?
6.What can the kitchen make gluten-free?