Food & drinkBeginner
Ordering at a restaurant in English (beginner)
Beginner English for ordering at a restaurant. Key line: “Hi, I'd like the chicken soup, please.”
Full script
Lin
Hi, I'd like the chicken soup, please.
Them
Sure. Would you like bread or salad?
Lin
Bread, please. And water, please.
Them
No problem. Anything else for you?
Lin
One napkin, please. I always spill.
Them
Got it. Do you spill often?
Lin
Yes. Food likes my shirt.
Them
Then I'll bring two napkins for luck.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Order
✓ I'd like the chicken soup, please.Order your food
More natural than I want
Choose
✓ Bread, please.Pick one item
A noun alone is fine
More
✓ Anything else for you?Ask about more
Servers ask this
Napkin
✓ One napkin, please.Ask for one
Swap the number
Quick answers
Order: what to say in English
Say “I'd like the chicken soup, please.” — order your food. More natural than I want.
Choose: what to say in English
Say “Bread, please.” — pick one item. A noun alone is fine.
More: what to say in English
Say “Anything else for you?” — ask about more. Servers ask this.
Napkin: what to say in English
Say “One napkin, please.” — ask for one. Swap the number.