← Test Booth — English A1
Ordering at a Restaurant
A1 Click any line to hear it alone · press play to follow along.
01 The Dialogue
Waiter
Good evening. Here are your menus.
Sarah
Thank you.
Tom
What is the soup of the day?
Waiter
It is tomato soup today.
Sarah
I would like the chicken, please.
Waiter
How would you like your chicken — grilled or fried?
Sarah
Grilled, please.
Tom
Is the fish vegetarian?
Waiter
No, it has fish and vegetables. It is not vegetarian.
Sarah
What do you recommend?
Waiter
I recommend the steak. It is very popular.
Tom
I will have the fish and a glass of water, please.
Waiter
Would you like anything to drink?
Sarah
I will have a glass of red wine, please.
Waiter
Thank you. Your food will be ready in twenty minutes.
02 The Deep Dive
Two hosts replay the dialogue and unpack every phrase — what was said, why, and what it really means.
Emma
Hello and welcome to Easy English Podcast! I am Emma.
James
And I am James. Today we are at a restaurant!
Emma
Yes! Sarah and Tom are having dinner. The waiter comes and says: "Good evening. Here are your menus."
James
"Here are your menus" — this is a polite way to give menus to guests. Very common in restaurants.
Emma
Sarah says "Thank you." Simple and polite.
James
Then Tom asks: "What is the soup of the day?" This means — what soup is available today?
Emma
Exactly! And the waiter answers: "It is tomato soup today."
James
Now Sarah orders. She says: "I would like the chicken, please." Very polite!
Emma
"I would like" is a polite way to order. You can also say "I will have" — James, can you show this?
James
Of course! Later Tom says: "I will have the fish." Same meaning, different style.
Emma
The waiter asks Sarah: "How would you like your chicken — grilled or fried?" He is asking about the cooking style.
James
Sarah answers: "Grilled, please." Short and clear!
Emma
Then Tom asks: "Is the fish vegetarian?" Hmm, fish is not vegetarian, James.
James
Haha, yes Emma. Fish is a meat, so it is not vegetarian. But Tom is confused — that is normal!
Emma
Sarah then asks: "What do you recommend?" This is very useful when you do not know what to order.
James
The waiter says: "I recommend the steak. It is very popular." He gives a suggestion!
Emma
Tom orders: "I will have the fish and a glass of water, please." Good job, Tom!
James
The waiter asks: "Would you like anything to drink?" And Sarah says: "I will have a glass of red wine, please."
Emma
And the waiter finishes with: "Your food will be ready in twenty minutes." Nice and helpful!
James
That is the end of the dialogue. Now you can order food in English. See you next time!
Emma
Bye everyone! And enjoy your dinner!
03 The Words
Tap a word for the dictionary; tap the row to hear it.
menu
a list of food and drinks at a restaurant
Can I see the menu, please?
soup of the day
the special soup the restaurant has today
The soup of the day is mushroom soup.
I would like
a polite way to say what you want
I would like the pasta, please.
grilled
cooked on a metal bar with heat
I prefer grilled chicken.
fried
cooked in hot oil
French fries are fried potatoes.
vegetarian
a person who does not eat meat or fish
She is vegetarian. She only eats vegetables.
recommend
to suggest something is good
I recommend the pizza. It is delicious!
popular
liked by many people
This restaurant is very popular.
steak
a flat piece of beef meat
I want my steak medium rare.
a glass of
one drink container
Can I have a glass of white wine?
red wine
an alcoholic drink made from dark grapes
She ordered a bottle of red wine.
ready
prepared and available
Your coffee is ready!
04 Lesson Notes
The Situation
Two friends, Sarah and Tom, are at a restaurant. A waiter comes to their table. Sarah and Tom look at the menu, ask questions, and order their food and drinks.
Key Phrases
- Here are your menus. — The waiter gives menus when guests sit down. Use this when you are the waiter.
- What is the soup of the day? — A good question when you want to know the special soup today.
- I would like… — A polite way to order. You can also say I'll have…
- How would you like your…? — The waiter asks this when there are different ways to cook something.
- Is the fish vegetarian? — A question about food type. Ask this if you are a vegetarian.
- What do you recommend? — Ask the waiter for a suggestion when you cannot decide.
- Would you like anything to drink? — The waiter asks this after you order food.
Grammar Point
We use will to talk about the future: "Your food will be ready in twenty minutes." Will is the same for all persons (I, you, he, she, we, they).
Cultural Tip
In English-speaking restaurants, it is normal to ask questions about the food. Do not be shy! Ask about ingredients, vegetarian options, or ask for recommendations. Waiters are happy to help.