Food & drinkBeginner
Ordering coffee in English
How to order a coffee politely, from the first line to "Have a good one!"
The textbook way: people will understand, but it isn't what they say
I want coffee.
What people actually say ↓Full script
Them
Hi there! What can I get for you?
Lin
Hi! Can I get a medium latte, please?
Them
Sure! For here or to go?
Lin
To go, please.
Them
Can I get a name for the order?
Lin
It's Lin. L, I, N.
Them
Anything else for you?
Lin
I'm good, thanks.
Them
Alright, that'll be five fifty.
Them
Here you go. Have a good one!
Lin
Thanks, you too!
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
At the counter
✗ I want coffee.
✓ Can I get a latte, please?Polite, easy, works anywhere
Or: I'll have a latte, please.
Barista: For here or to go?
✓ To go, please.You're taking it with you
Staying? Say: For here, please.
Barista: Anything else?
✓ I'm good, thanks.Here it means "no, thanks"
Or: That's all, thanks.
On the way out
✓ Have a good one!A friendly "have a nice day"
Reply with: You too!
Quick answers
At the counter: what to say in English
Say “Can I get a latte, please?” — polite, easy, works anywhere. Or: I'll have a latte, please.
Barista “For here or to go”: what to say in English
Say “To go, please.” — you're taking it with you. Staying? Say: For here, please.
Barista “Anything else”: what to say in English
Say “I'm good, thanks.” — here it means "no, thanks". Or: That's all, thanks.
On the way out: what to say in English
Say “Have a good one!” — a friendly "have a nice day". Reply with: You too!