Asking for Food in English: Useful Phrases for Ordering in a Restaurant

By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva

 

When traveling or living in an English-speaking country, one of the most common social situations you’ll encounter is eating out at a restaurant. Knowing how to ask for food properly is not only useful—it can also enhance your overall experience and help you feel more confident interacting with locals. In English, there are various polite and natural ways to ask for food, ranging from simple phrases to more elaborate requests depending on the formality of the setting. Below is a guide to some of the most commonly used English phrases for ordering food, along with their translations into Brazilian Portuguese.

 

1. Asking for a Table:

 

Before ordering food, you'll likely need to ask for a table.

 

A table for two, please.

Uma mesa para dois, por favor.

 

Do you have a table available?

Vocês têm uma mesa disponível?

 

We have a reservation under the name of...

Temos uma reserva no nome de...

 

2. Asking for the Menu:

 

Can I see the menu, please?

Posso ver o cardápio, por favor?

 

Do you have a menu in English?

Vocês têm um cardápio em inglês?

 

What’s the dish of the day?

Qual é o prato do dia?

 

3. Ordering Food:

 

Once you’re ready to order, there are a variety of polite phrases to use.

 

I’d like the steak, please.

Eu gostaria do bife, por favor.

 

Can I have the chicken salad?

Posso pedir a salada de frango?

 

I’ll have the pasta.

Vou querer a massa.

 

What do you recommend?

O que você recomenda?

 

Is this dish spicy?

Esse prato é apimentado?

 

4. Asking About Ingredients or Dietary Restrictions:

 

For those with allergies or dietary preferences, these phrases are essential.

 

Does this contain nuts?

Isso contém nozes?

 

I’m allergic to seafood.

Sou alérgico(a) a frutos do mar.

 

Is this vegetarian?

Isso é vegetariano?

 

I don’t eat meat.

Eu não como carne.

 

5. Asking for Drinks:

 

Can I get a glass of water?

Posso pedir um copo de água?

 

I’d like a Coke, please.

Gostaria de uma Coca-Cola, por favor.

 

Do you have fresh juice?

Vocês têm suco natural?

 

6. Asking for the Bill:

 

At the end of the meal, you'll need to ask to pay.

 

Can I have the bill, please?

A conta, por favor.

 

Do you take credit cards?

Vocês aceitam cartão de crédito?

 

Is service included?

O serviço está incluído?

 

7. Complimenting the Food or Service:

 

Being polite and appreciative goes a long way.

 

The food was excellent!

A comida estava excelente!

 

Thank you, everything was great.

Obrigado(a), estava tudo ótimo.

 

Compliments to the chef!

Meus cumprimentos ao cozinheiro-chefe!

 

Finally, whether you’re dining in a casual café or a fine restaurant, knowing how to use these phrases in English will help you navigate the situation with ease. Practice them aloud, pay attention to pronunciation, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The more comfortable you become with these expressions, the more natural your dining experiences will feel—and the more you'll enjoy exploring new flavors and cultures.

 

Bibliographic References

 

O’Connell, S., & Shaw, C. (2000). Focus on Advanced English C.A.E.: Practice Tests with Guidance. Oxford University Press.

 

Murphy, R. (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

 

Jones, L. (2005). Working in English. Cambridge University Press.

 

Gairns, R., & Redman, S. (2011). Oxford Word Skills: Intermediate. Oxford University Press.

 

Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.

 

Duckworth, M., & Turner, J. (2004). Going International: English for Tourism. Oxford University Press.

 

Cullen, P., French, A., & Jakeman, V. (2014). The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS. Cambridge University Press.

 

Madsen, H. S. (1983). Techniques in Testing. Oxford University Press.