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Level: A2

Eating Out Vocabulary

Useful English words and phrases for restaurants, cafés, and dining out — each with a simple definition.

500+ words in pictures

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  • People & Places
  • waiter – a man who brings food and drinks to your table
  • waitress – a woman who brings food and drinks to your table
  • customer – a person who eats or drinks at a restaurant or cafe
  • restaurant – a place where you pay to eat a full meal
  • cafe – a small place that serves drinks and light snacks
  • bar – a place where people go to drink alcohol
  • toilets – a room where you go to use the bathroom in a public place
  • table – the flat surface where you sit and eat your meal
  • booth – a bench seat at a table, often in a restaurant
  • counter – a high, long table where you can sit or order food
  • reservation – booking a table in advance so it is ready for you
  • waitlist – a list of people waiting for a table when the restaurant is full
  • host – the person who greets you and shows you to your seat
  • hostess – a woman who greets you and shows you to your seat
  • service – how well the staff take care of you
  • complaint – when you tell the staff something is wrong
  • Ordering & Paying
  • menu – a list of all the food and drinks you can order
  • bill – the paper showing how much you need to pay for your meal
  • tip – extra money you give for good service
  • portion – the amount of food given to one person
  • course – one part of a full meal, such as appetizer or main dish
  • main – the biggest or most important dish in a meal
  • starter – a small dish you eat before the main dish
  • appetizer – another word for starter, a small tasty dish before the main meal
  • plate – a flat round dish you eat from
  • cup – a small container with a handle, used for hot drinks
  • glass – a container for cold drinks, usually made of glass
  • bottle – a container with a narrow neck, used for drinks
  • order – to ask for food or drink to be brought to your table
  • cashier – the person who takes your money when you pay
  • credit card – a plastic card you use to pay instead of cash
  • receipt – a piece of paper showing what you paid for
  • refill – getting more of your drink, often for free
  • special – a dish that is not always on the menu, sometimes at a lower price
  • cancel – to say you will not come for your reservation
  • suggestion – an idea or advice for the restaurant or staff
  • Special Diet & Label Words
  • vegetarian – someone who does not eat meat or fish
  • vegan – someone who does not eat any animal products
  • kosher – food prepared according to Jewish law
  • halal – food prepared according to Islamic law
  • organic – grown or made without artificial chemicals
  • gluten-free – does not contain gluten, a protein in wheat
  • allergy – a health problem caused by eating certain foods
  • Food, Drinks & Extras
  • meal – the food you eat at one time, such as lunch or dinner
  • bread – a basic food made from flour and baked
  • soup – a hot, liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, or both
  • salad – raw or cooked vegetables mixed together, served cold
  • dessert – sweet food you eat at the end of a meal
  • snack – a small amount of food you eat between meals
  • drink – anything you can swallow that is not solid, like water or juice
  • alcohol – drinks like beer or wine that can make you drunk
  • condiments – sauces or seasonings added to food for more flavor, like ketchup
  • supper – the last meal of the day, usually in the evening
  • lunch – the meal you eat in the middle of the day
  • breakfast – the first meal of the day, usually in the morning
  • takeout – food you order to eat somewhere else
  • delivery – food brought to your home from a restaurant
  • buffet – a meal where you serve yourself from many dishes
  • self-service – when you have to get your own food or drinks
  • Utensils & Table Items
  • fork – a tool with points used to pick up food
  • knife – a tool with a sharp edge for cutting food
  • spoon – a tool with a round end for eating soup or dessert
  • toothpick – a small stick for cleaning your teeth after eating
  • napkin – a cloth or paper for wiping your mouth and hands
  • straw – a thin tube for drinking liquids
  • salt shaker – a container that lets you sprinkle salt on food
  • pepper shaker – a container that lets you sprinkle pepper on food
  • tray – a flat object for carrying food and drinks