Many of us have experienced that awkward moment when paying a bill in a cafe or restaurant. If a woman invites a man to a business lunch, who should pay? How to avoid uncomfortable situations when a girl on the first date wants to pay for herself, but the man insists otherwise? What to do with a check if you find an error in it? How much should you tip the waiter if you liked the service or didn’t like it at all? Tricky questions to which we tried to find the right answers.

Invited - pay

First of all, you need to remember that the inviting party always takes responsibility for paying the bill, but you need to be able to distinguish such an invitation from a friendly offer to have dinner. If you want to pay the bill at the end of the meeting, then it is best to indicate your offer with a clear and concise phrase: “I invite you to dinner.” If you say something simple: “How about we go out and have dinner?” it sounds more friendly and may mean splitting the bill.

Friendly get-togethers

The answer to the question “who pays the bill?” becomes completely simple when it comes to friendly evening gatherings at a pizzeria or going to your favorite restaurant on a Sunday. Friends often agree on two options for paying the bill: everyone pays for themselves or by pooling, when the amount of the bill with tips is divided by the number of people. In any other case, you can agree in advance, before going to the restaurant, who exactly will pay the bill.

Romantic date

Often on dates, especially on the very first, there is a slight embarrassment when presenting the bill. A man who invites a girl on a date can pay for two, but he also has every right to split the bill, as is customary in Europe or America. In Russia, in most cases, the man pays for dinner, so often the girl even forgets to reach for her wallet for the sake of decency.  In fact, it is the man who must make the decision on how to deal with the bill, because according to the rules of etiquette, the waiter serves the bill to him. Here comes the time for a responsible decision. Do you pay for the lady or offer to split the bill with your companion? If a girl basically wants to pay for herself, then she must definitely ask the waiter to bring a separate bill for each person. She can ask for this before ordering food or at the end of the meal. If a man resists this gesture, then he needs to politely explain that you are pleased to pay for yourself. This is your personal desire, and your date should respect it. In fact, in most cases, a lady will be pleased if a man decides to settle the bill himself and makes this process easy and unnoticeable for her, so that at the end of a romantic dinner she can only be surprised and thank her gentleman for his generosity.

Business lunch

At a business dinner, the situation with the bill is completely different than at a date or friendly get-together. The nature of the meeting obliges us to behave more formally. However, there is often some tension when receiving a bill. If you are a lady, and your companion at the table is a true gentleman, then he will certainly want to pay the bill. This impulse, of course, deserves respect, but you are not having a romantic rendezvous, so to avoid such situations, try speaking to him on behalf of the company. “Our company expresses gratitude to you and wants to treat you” or “You are our regular client/companion, so allow us to treat you at the company’s expense.”

In most cases, at a business lunch, the host pays the bill, so if you are the initiator of this meeting, then make sure that you have the funds to pay the bill for yourself and your guests. It is best to discuss in advance the moment of payment of the bill, for example, when you invite guests, you must emphasize that this is an invitation and your company will certainly take care of paying the bill.

Disputes in front of the waiter

Never argue in front of the waiter about who will pay the bill. This point needs to be decided in advance and very tactfully. Try to inform the waiter before the meal begins who will pay the bill, or ask him to bring separate bills at the end of the meal. If there are many guests at the table, then it is better for one person to resolve the issue of paying the bill. Remember that the waiter always brings the bill to the person who placed the order. Place the money or card in a folder and leave it on the edge of the table.

Error in account

Waiters are people too, so if you notice an error in the bill, the first thing you should do is quietly and discreetly solve the problem. You should not announce to all guests at the table about the misunderstanding that has occurred, make a row or wave the bill. Take the bill and quietly leave the table, go to the head waiter or manager to resolve the situation.

Invisibility check

The process of paying the bill should take a minimum amount of time and be completely invisible to your guest. You have several options on how to accomplish this. In the first case, you can arrive at the restaurant in advance and give your debit, credit or corporate card to the head waiter. At the end of lunch or dinner, you simply sign the receipt on the bill that the waiter gives you and collect your card. In the second case, you can ask the waiter in advance to bring the bill to you at the end of the meal. This way, the procedure will be less noticeable, and you won't have to worry about your guest trying to pay for himself, depriving you of the pleasure of treating him to dinner.

Every time you pay a bill and take out your wallet, try to do it at a level below the table so as not to attract the attention of others. Under no circumstances should you demonstrate the contents of your wallet at the table, pulling out stacks of business cards and cards from there, and then counting the bills in front of embarrassed guests. Ideally, no one will even have time to notice how cleverly you paid the bill.

Tips

Naturally, only you can decide whether the waiter deserves a tip or whether you didn’t like the service at all. In any case, the usual tip in Russia is 10% of the bill. If you really liked the service in this establishment, then, at your discretion, you can leave a larger amount. First of all, tips are an indicator of the quality of the waiter’s work, so their absence indicates his poor qualifications, while the better and more attentive the service, the more the waiter receives for his work.

If you hurry, you will make people laugh

Do not rush to leave the restaurant, even if you are going to a new meeting. It would be very rude of you to ask for the bill while your guests are still eating. This will put them in an unpleasant position or, God forbid, make them rush into eating. Only after everyone has finished lunch or dinner can you ask for the bill. Try to give yourself time so as not to rush and not constantly look at the clock. Enjoy the conversation and time spent together.

Let's leave together

In most cases, the suggestion that it is time to leave the restaurant comes more often from a man than from a woman. According to the rules of etiquette, this privilege remains on the side of the person who invited, who is the initiator of the meeting. You must leave the restaurant together.

Don’t forget to say goodbye to the restaurant staff by saying “thank you” for a delicious dinner, because your gratitude can and should be expressed not only with tips, but, first of all, with warm words, which are always nice to hear, both to the waiters and the chef.

We continue the lessons of the series “ English for travelers" Do you have little knowledge of the language, but need to travel abroad? We suggest using the services of our convenient phrasebook. It contains the necessary phrases on the most popular everyday topics, and today’s material will tell you how to correctly compose a dialogue in a restaurant in English. The topic is undoubtedly important, because, as the famous aphorism says: lunch always takes place as scheduled! Let's look at what dishes are on the menu in English, how to book a table in advance, what expressions to use when communicating with the waiter, as well as many other nuances of visiting cafes and restaurants.

Before moving on to the dialogues, you need to learn useful words and phrases in English on the topic " going to a restaurant" This section presents the vocabulary used to describe restaurant menus in English.

To place an order for food and not be disappointed in your choice, you need to study the menu, understand what a given dish is and familiarize yourself with the prices. You can find menus in English in most countries of the world. It has a standard structure consisting of several sections:

• aperatif - aperitif;
• starter, the first course – first course, soup;
• dish of the day - dish of the day;
• main courses (entrees ) - Main dishes;
• side dishes – additional side dishes;
• hot appetizers - hot appetizers;
• cold platter – cold snacks;
• salads – salads;
• desserts - Dessert;
• snacks – snacks;
• sauces – sauces;
• hard drinks - strong alcohol;
• low-alcohol drinks – low-alcohol drinks;
• soft drinks - soft drinks;
• wine list- wine list

Using the table, we will look at the English names of popular dishes and drinks.

The first course
onion soup	onion soup	vegetable soups	vegetable soup
mushroom soup	mushroom soup	tomato soup	tomato soup
cream soup	cream soup	soup of the day	soup of the day
Main courses
beefsteak	steak	goulash	goulash
stew	canned stewed meat	fish and chips	fish and potatoes
roast chicken/pork	fried chicken/pork	spaghetti	spaghetti
shepherd's pie	meat casserole with mashed potatoes	sausage and mash	sausage and mash
Side dishes
roasted vegetables	baked vegetables	rice	rice
baked potato	baked potato	mashed potatoes	mashed potatoes
Salads
Caesar salad	Caesar salad	Caprese salad	Caprese salad
garden fresh (mixed) salad	a fresh vegetable salad	Greek salad	Greek salad
Dessays
cheesecake	cheesecake	ice cream	ice cream
fruit salad	fruit salad	pudding	pudding
pancakes	pancakes	trifle	sponge cake with cream and wine soaking
Drinks
cognac	cognac	liqueur	liquor
champagne	champagne	cocktail	cocktail
coffee	coffee	tea	tea
juice	juice	mineral water	mineral water

A large vocabulary on the topic of food, names of drinks and dishes in English with translation is presented in a separate article. Now let’s move on to studying expressions that will help us build a dialogue in cafes and restaurants in English.

Dialogue in a restaurant in English - examples of conversations for various situations

This part of the material contains standard phrases for waiters and visitors to the establishment, with the help of which dialogue in English is built in a cafe or restaurant. In addition to speech clichés, for each situation we will give an example of a full-fledged dialogue. Using it as a sample, you will be able to establish communication with staff and resolve any issue that concerns you.

Booking

If your trip has just begun and you have enough time, then before going to the restaurant you need to pre-book a table. To do this, you need to contact the administrator and list your wishes: what time do you plan to visit the establishment and how many people will come with you. The following phrases will help you place an order for a table:

• I 'd like to book a table for…(tonight, tomorrow) — I would like to reserve a table for...(tonight, tomorrow, etc.);
• I'd like to make a reservation, please — I would like to reserve a table.
• I’d like a table for… — I would like a table for ... (persons);
• Can you fit us in at…(7, 7.30) — Could you please book us for...(seven o'clock, 7.30, etc.)
• Smoking/non-smoking — To the smoking/non-smoking room

Let's look at what a preliminary recording looks like using a complete dialogue as an example.

Hello! I'd like to make a reservation, please.	Hello, sir! What day do you want to come? What time?
Hello! I would like to make a reservation.	Hello, sir! INWhichdayYouwant tocome? What time?
Tomorrow evening at seven thirty.	And for how many people?
Tomorrow evening at 7.30	How many people will there be?
I’d like a table for six.	Smoking or non-smoking ?
I need a table for 6 people.	In a smoking or non-smoking room?
Smoking, please	For what name should I make the reservation?
For smokers.	Whose name should I put the reservation in?
Kevin Colton.	Mr Kolton, we will be expecting you tomorrow at seven thirty.
Kevin Colton.	Mr. Colton, we will be waiting for you tomorrow at 7.30.
Thank you!	Thank you for calling. Good bye!
Thank you!	Thank you for calling. All the best!

Visiting a restaurant

As a rule, when entering a restaurant you are greeted by hostess which will ask: did you register order on the table or decided to come in just now. In any case, this employee will clarify all the circumstances and try to find a free and comfortable table for you. Depending on the situation, you can use the appropriate expressions given in the table.

• Hello! Do you have any free tables? — Hello, do you have any tables available?
• I have a reservation at… — I have a table reserved for...
• We do not have a reservation. We’d like a table for three, please — We don't have any reservations. We'd like a table for three, please.
• Could we have a table by the window? — Could you provide us with a table by the window?

And this is what a complete English dialogue between a hostess and a visitor looks like.

Hello! Do you have a reservation?	Hello! I’ve a reservation at 7.30.
Hello! Have you made a reservation?	Hello, I have a table booked for 7.30
What's your name, sir?	Kevin Colton.
What's your name, sir?	Kevin Colton.
Mr Kolton, your table is near the window. Please come this way.	Okay.
Mr. Colton, your table is by the window. Please come here.	Fine.
Please be seated. Here is the menu. I'll get your waiter.	Thank you!
Sit down please. Here's the menu. Now I'll call your waiter.	Thank you!

Ordering dishes

The most important conversation in English in a cafe or restaurant is, of course, ordering food or drinks. To politely attract the attention of a waiter or bartender, the easiest way is to say a short - excuseme (Sorry). Then there may be two options - you order the dishes and drinks you have chosen, or you ask the waiter for a recommendation. Let's look at what phrases help build dialogues in English for ordering dishes.

• Could I see the menu, please? — Can I see the menu?
• Please bring ( give) me … — Please bring (give) me...
• I'll take... — I will take…
• I'll have... — I will…
• What are your specialties? — What is your signature dish?
• What do you recommend? — What do you recommend?
• What is this dish ? — What kind of dish is this?
• How long will it take? — How long does it take to prepare?
• Nothing else, thank you — Nothing more, thank you.

Let's consider two dialogues: ordering dishes of your choice and with the help of the waiter's advice.

Hello! What would you like?	I’d like the mushroom soup, please.
Hello, what will you order?	Mushroom soup, please.
And what for your main course?	I'm going to have the roast chicken with rice.
What's for the main course?	I'm thinking of ordering fried chicken and rice.
Anything to drink?	I'll take a bottle of mineral water.
Anything to wash down?	I'll take a bottle of mineral water.
Okay. I'll get your order in 10 minutes.	Thank you!
Fine. I'll bring your order in 10 minutes.	Thank you!

Hello! Are you ready to order?	Hello! I’ll have the roast pork and Greek salad.
Hello, are you ready to place an order?	Hello, I'll have roast pork and Greek salad.
I’m sorry, but the roast pork is finished.	What do you recommend me?
I'm sorry, but the roast pork is out.	Then what can you advise me?
You could try the beefsteak.	Okay, I'll take it.
You can try steak.	Okay, I'll take it.
How would you like your beefsteak?	Medium, please. How long will it take?
How should the meat be cooked?	Averagedone, Please. How long will it take to cook?
It will take about 25 minutes.	Okay, thank you!
Approximately 25 minutes.	OK, thank you!

Bill payment

Once you've finished your meal, you can call the waiter again and either order something else or ask for the bill. To indicate a bill in restaurants and cafes in English, two equivalent words are used: bill from the British, and check from the Americans. You can use any of them, but learn that in the American environment bill more often used in the meaning " act, project, document" By the way, in some restaurants it is customary to immediately include tips in the report, so don’t be surprised if you see the line service (service). As a rule, tips range from 10 to 15% of the amount spent.

So, you can thank for delicious dishes and ask for the bill using the speech cliches given below.

• Thanks, I really enjoyed it! — Thank you, I really enjoyed it!
• It was delicious. — It was very tasty!
• The bill, please. — The check, please.
• I would like to pay now, please. — I'd like to pay now.
• Could you bring me the bill, please? — Could you bring me the bill please?
• Is service included? — Is maintenance included?
• Keep the change. — Keep the change for yourself.
• Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
• Do you take credit cards? —

Consider the final dialogue.

Excuse me! Are you finished?	Yes, we're finished. Thank you, it was delicious!
Sorry, are you finished?	Yes, Wefinished. Thank you, it was amazingly delicious!
Would you like desserts?	No, thanks. Can we have the bill, please?
Would you like some desserts?	No, Thank you. Can we please have the bill?
Sure. I'll bring it right now.	Is service included?
Certainly. I'll bring it now.	Is maintenance included?
Yes, it is.	Do you take credit cards?
Yes.	Do you accept credit cards?
Sure.	Thanks for the good service! We'll come again!
Certainly.	Thanks for the good service! We will come again!
Thank you! Hope to see you again.	Have a nice day!
Thank you! We will be glad to see you again.	Have a good day!

With the help of this educational material, your trip to foreign cafes and restaurants will be much more comfortable. Interesting travels and bon appetit!

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They say that a patriot is a person who does not order a dish on the menu if he cannot pronounce its name. But what to do if you not only cannot pronounce the complex name of the dish, but also do not know how to communicate in English with the waiter? For you, we have prepared a simple Russian-English phrasebook with phrases for communicating in a restaurant or cafe. You'll learn how to order a table and food, ask for the bill, and complain about bad service in English.

We have written a simple phrasebook for travelers, in which you will find dialogues, phrases and vocabulary on 25 essential topics. Go on a journey with the main character and improve your English. You can download the book for free at.

Book a table

If you are going to have dinner at a famous restaurant, you need to book a table in advance, for example by phone. In this case, you must give your name, specify the number of seats required, as well as the exact time of booking. In addition, almost every establishment has two rooms: for smokers and non-smoking. Please specify which room you would like to reserve a table in. Let's see in the dialogue how to book a table in a restaurant in English:

Phrase	Translation
A: Hello! I would like to book a table, please.	A: Hello! I would like to reserve a table please.
B: What day do you want to come? What time?	B: What day would you like to come and at what time?
A: This evening at six o’clock.	A: This evening at 6 o'clock.
B: How many people are there in your party?	B: How many people will there be?
A: I would like a table for five.	A: I'd like a table for five.
B: Smoking or non-smoking?	B: Is the room smoking or non-smoking?
A: Non-smoking, please.	A: Non-smoking please.
B: Can I get your name?	B: May I know your name?
A: Ostap Bender.	A: Ostap Bender.
B: What else can I do for you?	B: Is there anything else I can do for you?
A: That will be all. Thank you!	A: This is all. Thank you!
B: Thank you for calling. Good bye!	B: Thank you for calling. Goodbye!
A: Good bye!	A: Goodbye!

Now let's see what phrases you can use when making a table reservation:

Phrase	Translation
Hello! I would like to make a reservation, please.	Hello! I would like to reserve (a table), please.
Hello! I would like to book a table, please.	Hello! I'd like to reserve a table, please.
Hello! Do you have any free tables?	Hello! Do you have any free tables?
Hello! I would like to book a table for a party of four. Can you fit us in at six thirty?	Hello! I would like to book a table for a group of four people. Could you schedule us for 6:30?
I would like a table for five.	I'd like a table for five people.
A table for one/two/three, please.	Table for one/two/three please.
Smoking/non-smoking, please.	Smoking/non-smoking please.

Now study the phrases that a cafe employee may use when communicating with you:

Phrase	Translation
What day do you want to come? What time?	What day would you like to come? What time?
We have a table at six thirty. Will that be acceptable?	We have a free table at 6:30. Will this suit you?
How many people are there in your party?	How many people (need a table)?
Smoking or non-smoking?	Is (the room) smoking or non-smoking?
May I have your name?	May I know your name?
Can I get your name?	May I know your name?
What else can I do for you?	What else can I do for you?
Thank you for calling. Good bye!	Thank you for calling. Goodbye!

Please note: when ordering a table, we use the word party, which most people are familiar with as “party”. In this context, a party is a group of people who are going to visit a restaurant or cafe together.

We arrive at the restaurant

When entering the restaurant you will be asked if a table is reserved for you. Let's look at two dialogue options in English: with and without a table reservation.

The dialogue in a situation where you have booked a table in advance may look like this:

Phrase	Translation
A: Hello! Do you have a reservation?	A:
B: Hello! I have a reservation at six thirty for Mr. Bender.	B: Hello! I have a reservation for 6:30 under the name of Mr. Bender.
A:Mr. Bender, your table is ready. Follow me, please.	A: Mr. Bender, your table is ready. Follow me please.

If you have not reserved a table in advance, the dialogue may look like this:

Phrase	Translation
A: Hello! Have you booked a table?	A: Hello! Have you booked a table?
B: Hello! I do not have a reservation. We would like a table for four, please.	B: Hello! I don't have a reservation. We'd like a table for four, please.
A: If you wait, there will be a free table for you in a minute.	A: If you wait, we will have a free table for you in a minute.
B: Could we get a table by the window?	B: Can we sit at a table by the window?

Below are phrases you can use when you go to a restaurant:

Phrase	Translation
Hello! I have a reservation at six thirty for Mr. Bender.	Hello! I have a reservation for 6:30 under the name of Mr. Bender.
Hello! I booked a table for two for Mr. Bender at six thirty.	Hello! I made a reservation for two under Mr. Bender for 6:30.
Hello! I do not have a reservation. May we sit at this table?	Hello! I don't have a reservation. Can we sit at this table?
Hello! I do not have a reservation. We would like a table for four, please.	Hello! I don't have a reservation. We'd like a table for four, please.
Could we get a table by the window?	Can we sit at a table by the window?
Could we have a table away from the kitchen/toilet, please?	Can we have a table away from the kitchen/toilet?

The following phrases can be used by the cafe administrator:

Phrase	Translation
Hello! Have you booked a table?	Hello! Do you have a table booked?
Hello! Do you have a reservation?	Hello! Do you have a table booked?
Mr. Bender, your table is ready.	Mr. Bender, your table is ready.
Your table is not quite ready yet.	Your table is not ready yet.
Your table will be ready in just a moment.	Your table will now be ready.
If you wait, there will be a free table for you in a minute.	If you wait, we will have a free table for you in a minute.
Follow me, please.	Follow me please.
Please come this way.	Please come here.
Can I take your coat?	Can I borrow your coat?

How to order food in English

After you are seated at the table, ask for the menu if the waiter has not done so. Next, you can order your dishes, as well as choose a drink and dessert.

Phrase	Translation
A: Can I have the menu, please?	A: Can I have a menu, please?
B: Here it is, sir.	B: Please, sir.
B: Can I take your order?	B: May I take your order?
A: Yes, I am ready. I would like meatballs and potato chips.	A: Yes, I'm ready. I'd like meatballs and fries.
B: Sorry, but the meatballs are finished. Why don’t you try the steak?	B: Sorry, but we're out of meatballs. Why don't you try steak?
A: Thank you for the recommendation!	A: Thanks for the recommendation!
B: How would you like your steak?	B: How to grill your steak?
A: Medium, please.	A: Medium rare.
B: Would you like something to drink?	B: Would you like any drinks?
A: No, thank you.	A: No thanks.
B: What would you like for dessert?	B: What would you like for dessert?
A: I would like a coffee and a muffin.	A: I would like coffee and a muffin.
B: I will be right back with your order.	B: I'll be right back with your order.

You can use the following phrases to order food in a cafe or restaurant in English:

Phrase	Translation
The menu, please.	Menu, please.
Can I have the menu?	Can I have a menu?
Could I see the menu, please?	Can I see the menu please?
I am not ready yet.	I'm not ready yet. (answer to the waiter to the question “Are you ready to order?”)
Yes, I am ready.	Yes, I'm ready.
I will have...	I will...
I would like...	I would like...
Can I have...	Can I...
What is this dish?	What kind of dish is this?
I will take this.	I will take it.
I would like the set lunch.	I would like a set lunch.
For starters I will have the salad and for the main course I would like a steak.	I would like a salad to start and a steak for main course.
What do you recommend?	What do you recommend?
What are your specialties?	What are your signature dishes?
Thank you for the recommendation.	Thanks for the recommendations.
The steak for me, please	I'd like a steak, please.
Rare/medium/well done.	Rare/medium/done.
I would like fries with that.	I would like fried potatoes with this dish.
I would prefer vegetables.	I would prefer vegetables.
Could I see the wine list, please?	Can I see the wine list?
I would like red wine.	I'd like red wine.
Do you have wine by the glass?	Do you serve wine by the glass?
Nothing else, thank you.	Nothing more, thank you.
Nothing more, thank you.	Nothing more, thank you.
I am full, thank you.	I'm full, thanks.

The waiter may use the following phrases when communicating with you:

Phrase	Translation
Can I take your order?	Can I accept the order?
Would you like to order now?	Would you like to order now?
Are you ready to order?	Are you ready to order?
Do you need some more time?	Do you need more time?
I will be back in a couple of minutes.	I'll be back in a couple of minutes.
Would you like an appetizer to start?	Would you like some appetizer to start?
Would you like to hear the specialties?	Would you like to know about our signature dishes?
I do not think we have any more steak left.	I think we have no steaks left.
Sorry, but the steaks are finished.	Sorry, we're out of steaks.
Why don’t you try the steak?	Why don't you try steak?
How would you like your steak?	How to grill your steak?
What would you like with that?	What would you like with this dish?
Do you want vegetables with it?	Would you like vegetables with this dish?
Do you want a salad with it?	Would you like a salad with this dish?
Would you like something to drink?	What drinks should I offer you?
Anything to drink?	Will you have anything to drink?
Can I get you any drinks?	Can I get you some drinks?
What would you like for dessert?	What would you like for dessert?
Would you like anything else?	Would you like anything else?
Can I get you anything else?	Should I bring you anything else?
I will be right back with your order.	I'll be right back with your order.
Enjoy your meal!	Bon appetit!

You probably noticed the words starter and appetizer, which can be translated as “aperitif”. However, in Russian, by the word “aperitif” we usually mean low-alcohol drinks that are drunk immediately before a meal to improve appetite. In English, these words are often used in a different sense. This is the name for a small portion of salad, soup, appetizer or other dish that is served before the main course to stimulate the appetite.

And now we offer you to watch a useful video that will help you understand the types of dishes and order food correctly in English:

Additional requests for ordering

Perhaps when choosing a dish, it will not always be clear to you what it consists of. If you are allergic, be sure to learn the names of the foods you are allergic to and let the waiter know. Maybe you just don't like some ingredient? You can ask the chef to prepare the dish without it. Were you served “hot” at room temperature? Ask for the dish to be replaced or reheated. Or maybe they handed you a dull knife? Ask for it to be replaced.

Phrase	Translation
I am allergic to nuts/wheat/honey.	I am allergic to nuts/wheat/honey.
I am a vegetarian. Do you have any vegetarian dishes?	I am a vegetarian. Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
I do not eat seafood/meat/pork.	I don't eat seafood/meat/pork.
Does it contain eggs/nuts/honey?	Does this (dish) include eggs/nuts/honey?
Does this have any nuts in it?	Are there nuts in this dish?
Can I have a salad instead of vegetables?	Can I have a salad instead of vegetables?
Can I substitute a salad for vegetables?	Can I exchange the salad for vegetables?
Is it spicy?	Is it spicy?
Can I have it without ketchup?	Can I have this (dish) without ketchup?
I am sorry, but this is cold.	Sorry, but this (dish) is cold.
Would you mind heating this up?	Do you find it difficult to reheat this?
Could I have another knife, please?	Can I have another knife, please?

In addition, you can ask for some addition (sauce, bread) to your order or change the order altogether if you wish.

Do you need constant access to the Internet? Many cafes have free Wi-Fi, just ask the waiter for the password.

If you are in a hurry, check how long you need to wait for the dish. You can also take it or the food you haven’t finished eating with you. In the UK, as a rule, every establishment offers a doggie-bag (literally, “dog bag”), that is, you will wrap everything you haven’t finished eating with you in a paper bag.

In addition, in a cafe you may need an extra chair or a special high chair for a child.

How to complain to a cafe

It happens that the meal is not as pleasant as you would like: sometimes you have to wait a long time for the dish, sometimes the waiter forgets about you, sometimes he brings the wrong dish, or the product makes you suspicious of the notorious “second freshness”. In this case, you need to complain tactfully but confidently. Use the following phrases for dialogue in a cafe in English:

Phrase	Translation
We have been waiting quite a while.	We've been waiting long enough.
This is not what I ordered.	This is not what I ordered.
This tastes a bit off. / It doesn't taste right.	This dish tastes strange.
The steak is too hard.	The steak is too tough.
This meat is underdone/over roasted.	This meat is undercooked/overcooked.
The salad is too salty.	The salad is too salty.
It is too spicy.	This (dish) is too spicy.
This fish is not quite fresh.	This fish is not exactly fresh.
Can I see the manager, please?	Can I see the administrator?

The waiter may respond to your complaints as follows:

Phrase	Translation
I am so sorry about that.	I apologize for this.
Let me take it back for you.	Let me bring this back into the kitchen.
Let me change it for you.	Let me replace this (dish) for you.

Bill payment

After you have eaten, you need to ask for the bill. To correctly formulate your request, use the following phrases:

Phrase	Translation
I would like to pay now, please.	I'd like to pay now, please.
Can I get/have the bill/check, please?	Can I have the bill?
Could you check me out, please?	Can you count me out?
Could we pay please?	Can we pay?
How much is the total?	What is the total amount?
Does the bill include the service charge?	Does the bill include a tip?
I am paying for everyone.	I am paying for everyone.
The bill is on me.	I will pay the bill.
We are paying separately.	We are paying separately.
Can I pay with Visa?	Can I pay with a Visa card?
Can we pay by card?	Can we pay by card?
Keep the change.	Keep the change for yourself.

The waiter may use the following phrases when communicating with you:

Phrase	Translation
Are you paying together?	Will you pay together?
Would you like me to split it?	Would you like me to split the bill between you?
I will bring the check right now.	I'll bring the bill now.
Are you paying with a card?	Do you pay by card?
Do you need any change?	Do you need change?

As you noticed, we used two words to describe the word “bill” - bill and check. Often these two words are used interchangeably.

As for tips, this is a delicate point. Abroad, it is customary to leave 10-15% as a tip to the waiter. However, sometimes the cost of service is included in the bill, in which case you just need to pay it.

We all make mistakes. If you find an error in your bill, politely inform the waiter, he will definitely resolve your issue. Take into account the following phrases:

Leaving the restaurant

When leaving a restaurant or cafe, leave a good impression of yourself - praise the establishment and the work of the waiter. Rest assured that if you come here again, you will receive even better service. In addition, it would be nice to destroy the myth about “impolite Russian people.” Moreover, you don’t have to be full of praise; one of the simple phrases is enough:

Phrase	Translation
Thank you it was delicious.	Thank you, it was amazing.
I really enjoyed it.	I really enjoyed it.
I will come again.	I'll come again.
My compliments to the chef.	My compliments to the cook.
Everything was great.	Everything was great.

Complete list of words and phrases for download

We have compiled two documents for you that will make it easier for you to conduct a dialogue in a restaurant or cafe in English. You can download them from the links below.

We hope our simple and detailed guide with phrases for dialogue in a restaurant or cafe in English will help you prepare for your trip. And if you want to feel comfortable abroad, we invite you to attend, during which you will learn vocabulary and phrases for traveling. After completing the training, you can easily order exactly what you need in any establishment. Bon appetit!

There is hardly a person in the modern world who does not like to go to cafes or restaurants. Going to a restaurant, especially in a foreign country, is not just an opportunity to satisfy your hunger, but also to spend time with friends, have a great rest, gain new impressions, taste unfamiliar dishes, right? In addition, there is no need to clear the table and wash the dishes after dinner. In European countries, dining out is the norm. And if you are visiting one of the English-speaking countries, be prepared for the fact that you will have to visit a restaurant every day. In order to avoid getting into trouble when ordering foreign dishes, you will need knowledge of English restaurant vocabulary. How to book a table in a restaurant, how to place an order to the waiter, how not to get confused about the names of dishes? Before going to an English restaurant, it is better to be well prepared. We have collected for you the basic phrases that you will need when going to an English restaurant.

If you go to a restaurant in the evening, it is better to book a table in advance at the restaurant where you want to go. This can be done by phone or by visiting the desired restaurant the day before.

We would like to make a reservation. — We would like to reserve a table.

You can say it a little differently:

I'dlikeatablefor 7p.m.please.– I would like to reserve a table for 7 pm.

Be prepared for the waiter to ask you how many people the table is for, in a smoking or non-smoking room, in whose name to reserve a table, etc.

You came to the restaurant and sat down at a table. The waiter will bring the menu and ask:

Would you like a drink?

Would you like something for aperitif?

Don't be alarmed. It simply invites you to order drinks before the main course, which is an aperitif.

After the waiter brings you drinks, he will ask if you are ready to choose something and if you are ready to place an order:

Can I take your order? — Can I take your order?

Areyoureadytoorder? — Are you ready to order?

If you're not ready yet, don't worry. You can ask the waiter to wait a few minutes – can we take a few more minutes? or we need a few more minutes.

You can also ask the waiter for advice, especially if you are not entirely sure about the correct understanding of the names of the dishes.

Whatdoyourecommend?– What do you advise us?

Whatareyourspecialties?– What are the most popular dishes in your restaurant (or the most delicious)?

If you don't find what you would like on the menu, ask the waiter: « Doyouhave...?"- you have…?

To order your chosen dish, just say Iwouldlike(I would like) and the name of the dish. It would also be correct to say - Couldyoubring…?(could you bring...?). Not sure if you'll pronounce it correctly? Just point to the desired line in the menu.

If you don't hear what the waiter says, don't hesitate to ask again. It's better to ask again than to receive the wrong dishes.

Couldyourepeat,please?– could you repeat?

or simply

Excuseme?

If, nevertheless, they brought you something that was not at all what you wanted, say:

ThisisnotwhatIordered;Iordered…- this is not at all what I ordered, I ordered... and name the dish you wanted.

The order is placed, you enjoy delicious food and drinks, a pleasant atmosphere and conversation with friends. And now the dinner is coming to an end, it’s time to ask for the bill.

The easiest way to do this is to tell the waiter - Check, please! Which translated into Russian means – Invoice, please.

When dining in some prim English restaurant, it is better to say “ May we have the bill?" It will sound more "English".

And the last thing you need to know is service charge or tip, in other words, a tip, which usually amounts to 10 or 15% of the total order amount. Often in restaurants, service charges are already included in the bill.

Knowing all these phrases, you will probably not experience any problems when going to a restaurant in England. Bon appetit in an English restaurant!

Now they can offer their guests a completely new service for paying bills. To pay at a restaurant you will not need a bank card or cash. All a Sberbank client needs to do is enter the check or club card number into the application. Payment will be made instantly, and there is no need to wait for a waiter or your turn at the cash register.

The proven mechanism and security of the Sberbank Online application, the ability to pay a bill non-cash without presenting a bank card, allow us to talk about the emergence of a new level of payment security in the HoReCA segment.

Additional benefits for catering establishments

Accepting payments through the Sberbank mobile application opens up a number of business advantages for restaurateurs: the speed of service increases, the costs of collection and acquiring of bank cards are reduced, and due to the reduction in the number of cash payments, cases of staff abuse are reduced. In addition, the solution optimizes work with corporate clients, whose employees are paid using food checks and electronic cards with deposits.

Additional benefits for restaurant guests

Payment in restaurants is simplified at several stages. Firstly, when paying through a mobile application, there is no traditional mechanism for online payments: the client does not need to enter bank card details, and secondly, there is no need to wait for the waiter with the card or change, and this saves the guest’s time.

Users of the application also have access to all the privileges of the “Thank You” loyalty program. The history of paid invoices and information about accruals under the bonus program are available in your personal account.

Portaldnev. info: personal food diary and ratings of establishments

Users of the application are given access to the dnev.info portal, where data on invoices from restaurants paid through Sberbank Online is automatically uploaded. Here you can keep a personal food diary, as well as evaluate the service, specific dishes and atmosphere of the restaurants visited.

Integration of the application with the dnev.info portal provides owners, managers and managers with a convenient tool for monitoring and motivating staff: on the portal you can track guest feedback on the service for each of the ordered dishes in the context of each check and each employee: cook, waiter, delivery service operator and courier .

Polosukhina Natalya, manager for quality and technological support, Payment Services Department, North-West Bank, PJSC Sberbank: “For Sberbank Online,” integration with the Tillypad automation system was another step towards expanding the range of capabilities of the mobile application. We are pleased to provide our clients with a convenient opportunity to pay bills quickly and safely, and receive detailed information useful for personal purposes in terms of expenses and specific menu items.”

The payment scheme through a banking mobile application is universal for establishments of all types: classic restaurants, fast foods, ready-to-eat food delivery services, free-flow concepts and clubs, and is also suitable for all types of Internet banking. Today the number of users of the Sberbank Online application is more than 10 million people. The number of implementations of the Tillypad restaurant automation system in Russia and the CIS countries exceeds 12 thousand installations.

The development and implementation of the project was carried out by the Restocreator.ru team

The Tillypad company is the developer of the Tillypad restaurant automation system and one of the pioneers of the Russian market in this area. Tillypad is a system for businesses of any size and format. Both a novice restaurateur and an industry giant get a quick launch and full control over their establishments, regardless of the number of facilities and the geography of their location. Today, more than 12,000 catering and entertainment establishments in Russia, Europe and the CIS countries manage processes using Tillypad software. The company's clients include well-known restaurant chains, cafes and bars, hotel complexes and delivery businesses.