Restaurant Vocabulary List: Essential English Words & Phrases for Ordering Food
- Rose Sensei
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Ordering food at a restaurant is one of the most useful skills when learning English! 🍕🍹 Whether you're dining at a fancy restaurant, grabbing a quick bite at a café, or ordering takeout, knowing the right vocabulary will help you communicate confidently.
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📽️Check out the YouTube video - Learn Vocabulary Through Stories:
👉A Delicious Night Out - Restaurant Vocabulary https://youtu.be/Fm9xhJ9sBHs
In this post, you'll discover essential restaurant-related words and phrases that will make your dining experience smoother. Plus, you'll find interactive exercises to test your knowledge.
Let’s get started! 🚀
🍽️ At the Restaurant Vocabulary List / Meanings /Example
1. Reservation
🟰 An arrangement made in advance to have a table at a restaurant.
Example: We made a reservation for two at 7 PM.
2. Host/Hostess
🟰 A person who welcomes guests and shows them to their tables.
Example: The hostess greeted us with a smile and led us to our seats.
3. Waiter/Waitress
🟰 A person who takes orders and serves food at a restaurant.
Example: The waiter recommended the chef’s special of the day.
4. Menu
🟰 A list of food and drinks available at a restaurant.
Example: Can I see the menu, please?
5. Appetiser
🟰 A small dish served before the main course.
Example: We ordered bruschetta as an appetiser.
6. Main Course
🟰 The largest and most important part of the meal.
Example: For my main course, I’d like the grilled salmon.
7. Side Dish
🟰 A smaller portion of food served alongside the main dish.
Example: My burger comes with a side dish of fries.
8. Dessert
🟰 A sweet dish served at the end of a meal.
Example: I’ll have chocolate mousse for dessert.
9. Beverage
🟰 A drink, especially one other than water.
Example: What beverages do you have? I’d like an iced tea.
10. Special of the Day
🟰 A dish that is available for a limited time, often recommended by the chef.
Example: The special of the day is seafood pasta.
11. Well-done / Medium / Rare
🟰 Different levels of cooking meat, especially steak.
Example: I’d like my steak medium, please.
12. Refill
🟰 A second serving of a drink.
Example: Would you like a refill on your coffee?
13. To-go / Takeaway
🟰 Food that is ordered to be eaten outside the restaurant.
Example: Can I get my pizza to-go?
14. Bill / Check
🟰 A list of the total amount of money to be paid for the meal.
Example: Could we have the bill, please?
15. Tip
🟰 Extra money given to a waiter for good service.
Example: It’s common to leave a 10-20% tip in many restaurants.
16. Cutlery
🟰 Utensils such as forks, knives, and spoons.
Example: Could you bring me some extra cutlery, please?
17. Napkin
🟰A piece of cloth or paper used to wipe the mouth and hands while eating.
Example: The waiter placed a napkin on my lap before serving the food.
18. Condiments
🟰 Small additions to food such as salt, pepper, ketchup, and mustard.
Example: Do you need any condiments with your fries?
19. Portion
🟰 The amount of food served per person.
Example: The portions at this restaurant are quite large.
20. Allergies / Dietary Restrictions
🟰 Medical conditions or personal choices that limit what someone can eat.
Example: I have a nut allergy, so please make sure my dish doesn’t contain nuts.
These vocabulary words will help ESL learners understand key restaurant terms, making them more confident when dining out or ordering food.
Now, it's time to practise the restaurant vocabulary list!
Practice Exercise: Restaurant Vocabulary
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the vocabulary list.
We made a __________ for four people at 8 PM.
The __________ greeted us at the entrance and showed us to our table.
Our __________ took our order and recommended the pasta special.
Before the main course, we ordered an __________ of garlic bread.
I like my steak cooked __________, not too raw or too well-done.
Can I get a __________ of orange juice? My glass is empty.
The __________ of the day is grilled salmon with mashed potatoes.
We ordered our food to-go because we wanted to eat at home. The restaurant packed our food as a __________ order.
After we finished eating, we asked for the __________ so we could pay for our meal.
It’s polite to leave a __________ for the waiter if the service is good.
⬇️ Scroll down for answer.
Part 2: Match the Words with Their Meanings
Match each vocabulary word with its correct definition.
⬇️ Scroll down for answer.
🍽️ Part 1: Fill in the Blanks (Answer Key)
reservation
host
waiter
appetiser
medium
refill
special
to go/takeaway
bill
tip
🍕 Part 2: Match the Words with Their Meanings (Answer Key)
Now that you’ve learned these must-know restaurant words, it’s time to practise!
🎯 Try using them in a conversation or write a short restaurant dialogue.
💬 Tell us in the comments:
Have you ever ordered food in English?
What’s your favourite dish to order at a restaurant? 🍽️
🔥 Don't forget to SHARE this post with friends who are learning English!
Let’s make English learning fun and delicious. 😋✨
🎯Need More Practice?
🎥 Related Videos: YouTube Channel Playlist
🔗Quick and Easy Vocabulary https://tinyurl.com/44chnrb9
🔗Learn Vocabulary Through Fun Stories https://tinyurl.com/567brdfr
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
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