Lin SaysYour English-speaking buddy 中文 Start free
Food & drinkAdvanced

Asking for vegetarian options in English (advanced)

Advanced English for asking for vegetarian options. Key line: “Hey, quick question—what can you *do* for someone *eating* *vegetarian* tonight?”

Full script

Lin
Hey, quick question—what can you do for someone eating vegetarian tonight?
Them
Sure—we've got a mushroom pasta, a grilled veggie plate, and a loaded baked potato.
Lin
Nice. Which one's actually filling, and not just a sad little side dish?
Them
Honestly, the pasta eats like a real meal; the potato's great if you're starving.
Lin
I'll take the pasta then—I'm vegetarian, not auditioning for a life of snacks.
Them
Fair enough. Do you want it without cheese, or are dairy and eggs fine?
Lin
Dairy's fine, thanks. And if it comes tiny, I reserve the right to panic.
Them
Deal—if it's tiny, I'll personally rescue you from that snack lifestyle.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

Start
✓ Quick question—

A casual opener—

A natural opener

Veg
✓ What can you do for someone eating vegetarian?

Ask what vegetarian dishes they have

More natural than Do you have

Filling
✓ actually filling

Enough for a meal

Ask if it feels like a real meal

Diet
✓ Are dairy and eggs fine?

Ask if milk and eggs are okay

Staff often check if you mean vegan

Quick answers

Start: what to say in English

Say “Quick question—” — a casual opener—. A natural opener.

Veg: what to say in English

Say “What can you do for someone eating vegetarian?” — ask what vegetarian dishes they have. More natural than Do you have.

Filling: what to say in English

Say “actually filling” — enough for a meal. Ask if it feels like a real meal.

Diet: what to say in English

Say “Are dairy and eggs fine?” — ask if milk and eggs are okay. Staff often check if you mean vegan.

Next: Booking a doctor's appointmentAll scenes