Ordering food abroad: English for restaurants and markets

Food is one of the best parts of travel, and one of the best ways to practice English. From hawker stalls in Malaysia to seafood grills in Dahab, from poutine in Québec to bandeja paisa in Colombia, every meal abroad is a chance to communicate, to discover and to connect with people. In my years living and teaching in different countries, many of my favorite conversations happened around a table. This guide gives you the English you need in restaurants, cafés, markets and street food stalls, plus tips about dietary needs, tipping and food culture around the world.

Arriving at a restaurant

In some countries, you wait to be seated; in others, you choose your own table. If you are unsure, ask: "Should we wait to be seated?"

Understanding the menu

Menu sections

• Starters (British) or appetizers (American): small dishes before the main course.
• Mains or entrées: the main course. Careful: in American English, "entrée" means the main dish, while in French it means the starter.
• Sides: accompaniments like fries, rice or salad.
• Desserts (also "pudding" or "sweets" in Britain).
• Beverages or drinks.
• Specials: dishes offered only today.

Cooking vocabulary

Asking about dishes

• "What do you recommend?"
• "What's the special today?"
• "What does this dish come with?"
• "Is it spicy?"
• "Is this a big portion? Is it good for sharing?"
• "What's in this sauce?"

Ordering

The most natural way to order in English is "I'll have…" or "Could I have…?". "I want…" sounds a little direct, especially in British and Canadian English.

• "I'll have the grilled fish, please."
• "Could I have the chicken salad, but without onions?"
• "For my main course, I'd like the steak, medium rare."
• "We'd like to share a starter."
• "Could we have some more time to decide?"
• "That's all for now, thank you."

Drinks

• "Could I have a glass of water?" / "Still or sparkling?"
• "Tap water is fine, thank you." (in countries where it is safe)
• "What fresh juices do you have?"
• "Could I see the wine list?"
• "A coffee with milk, please." / "A black coffee." / "A decaf."

Dietary needs and allergies

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, communicate them clearly. It is important for your safety.

• "I'm allergic to nuts. Does this dish contain any nuts?"
• "I'm vegetarian. Is there meat or fish stock in the soup?"
• "I'm vegan. I don't eat any animal products, including eggs and dairy."
• "I can't eat gluten. Do you have gluten-free options?"
• "Is this dish halal?"
• "Could you make it without cheese?"

For serious allergies, a written card in the local language explaining your allergy is very useful when traveling. Read more about health while traveling in planning long-term travel.

During the meal

• "Excuse me, could we have some more bread?"
• "Could I have another fork, please?"
• "This is delicious!"
• "Excuse me, I ordered the fish, but this is chicken."
• "Sorry, my food is a bit cold. Could you warm it up?"

When something is wrong, stay polite and specific. "Sorry, I think there's a mistake" is softer than "This is wrong." I explain this kind of polite language in negotiating and disagreeing politely.

Paying the bill

• "Could we have the check, please?" (American) / "Could we have the bill, please?" (British)
• "Can we pay separately?" / "Can we split the bill?"
• "Do you take credit cards?"
• "Is service included?"
• "Keep the change."

Tipping around the world

Customs change, so when in doubt, ask: "Is the tip included?" or "What's the usual tip here?"

Cafés and coffee culture

Coffee culture is a great way to understand a country. In Sweden, fika is a sacred coffee break with something sweet. In Colombia, a tinto is a small black coffee drunk many times a day. In Canada, a "double-double" is coffee with two creams and two sugars. In Egypt, you can choose Turkish-style coffee or tea with mint. In Malaysia, teh tarik, pulled tea, is poured from a height to create foam. Ordering coffee is one of the easiest ways to start practicing English abroad:

• "Could I get a large latte with oat milk?"
• "For here or to go?" / "To go, please." (In Britain: "Eat in or take away?")
• "Could I have it less sweet?"

Read my country guides for more on local coffee traditions: Sweden, Colombia's Coffee Region and Canada.

Markets and street food

Markets and street food stalls are where you find the most authentic local food, and where conversation flows naturally. In Malaysia, hawker centers serve dozens of dishes in one place. In Egypt, koshari shops are full of locals at lunchtime. In Colombia, fruit markets offer fruits you have never seen. In Uruguay, the Mercado del Puerto smells of grilled meat.

• "What's this called?"
• "Can I try a little?"
• "How much is one?" / "How much for a kilo?"
• "I'll take two, please."
• "Is it sweet or sour?"
• "Can you wrap it to take away?"

Food safety tips

• Choose busy stalls with high turnover, where locals eat.
• Prefer freshly cooked, hot food.
• Be careful with raw salads and unpeeled fruit where water quality is uncertain.
• Drink bottled or treated water if tap water is not safe.
• Wash or sanitize your hands before eating.

Table manners around the world

• Malaysia and Egypt: eat with your right hand when eating with your hands.
• Sweden: wait until the host says "skål" before drinking at a dinner party.
• Colombia and Uruguay: meals with family can last for hours; leaving quickly may seem rude.
• Canada: splitting the bill is common among friends.
• Everywhere: compliment the cook. "This is delicious" is a universal key to the heart.

Learn more in cultural etiquette in six countries.

Describing food: words to sound natural

Describing food precisely is a fun way to expand vocabulary. In class, I sometimes ask students to describe their favorite national dish to someone who has never tried it. It is harder than it sounds, and it is excellent practice.

Practice dialogue: at a restaurant

Server: Good evening! Are you ready to order?
Customer: Almost. What do you recommend?
Server: The grilled sea bass is excellent today, and our mushroom risotto is very popular.
Customer: Is the risotto vegetarian?
Server: Yes, it's made with vegetable stock.
Customer: Great, I'll have the risotto. And could I have a side salad, please?
Server: Of course. Anything to drink?
Customer: A fresh lemonade, please.
Server: Perfect. I'll bring it right away.
Later…
Customer: Excuse me, could we have the check, please?
Server: Sure. Would you like to pay by card?
Customer: Yes, please. Everything was delicious, thank you!

What to try in the countries I know

Each of my country guides has a full food section: Sweden, Canada, Egypt, Malaysia, Uruguay and Colombia.

Talking about food with locals

Food is the easiest topic for conversation with anyone, anywhere. These questions open friendly conversations with servers, market vendors and new friends:

• "What's a typical dish from this region?"
• "What do people here usually eat for breakfast?"
• "What's your favorite dish? Where should I try it?"
• "Is this a dish for special occasions or for every day?"
• "How do you make it at home?"

People love talking about their food, and you will often receive recommendations, invitations and even recipes. It is one of the most enjoyable ways to practice your English and learn about a culture.

Using food apps and reviews

Delivery and review apps are useful when you travel, and they are a good reading exercise. You will see words like "highly recommended," "a bit pricey," "generous portions," "friendly staff" and "worth the wait." If you leave a review, keep it clear and fair: what you ordered, what you liked, and what could be better.

Food words that confuse learners

• Chips are fries in Britain and crisps in the United States and Canada.
• Biscuit is a cookie in Britain and a soft bread roll in the United States.
• Entrée is the main course in North America but a starter in many other places.
• Dessert has two s's; desert, with one, is a dry place.
• Cook is a person; a cooker is a stove in British English.

Breakfast around the world

Breakfast tells you a lot about a culture. In Sweden, it might be crispbread with cheese, cucumber and coffee. In Canada, pancakes with maple syrup on weekends. In Egypt, ful and ta'ameya with fresh bread. In Malaysia, nasi lemak or roti canai with pulled tea. In Uruguay, a simple coffee with milk and a croissant called a medialuna. In Colombia, arepas with cheese, eggs and hot chocolate, or the soup called changua in Bogotá. Trying local breakfasts is a delicious way to start each day abroad, and asking "What's a typical breakfast here?" is a perfect conversation starter.

Many restaurants also post menus online, so you can prepare your order before you arrive and look up any words you do not know.

Food as a language classroom

When I lived in Malaysia, my students loved teaching me the names of their dishes, and I taught them how to describe flavors in English. In Egypt, explaining a recipe was a perfect excuse to practice sequences: "First, you boil the lentils; then, you add the rice." In Colombia, my neighbors laughed when I mixed up granadilla and maracuyá. Food creates natural, joyful conversations, which is why I use it often in my classes. For more ideas, read travel as a language classroom and travel English essentials.

Every meal abroad is a small adventure. Order something you cannot pronounce, ask the server what it is, and enjoy the surprise. Even when a dish is not to your taste, the conversation and the story will stay with you. Bon appétit, buen provecho, smaklig måltid, and enjoy your meal!