Explanation + Quiz
How to ORDER FOOD in English
Here’s a breakdown of these three common ways to order food in a restaurant:
- I will have / I’ll have…
- Meaning: This phrase expresses a definite intention to order something. It’s a bit more formal and assertive.
- Usage: It’s often used when you have already decided on your order.
- Example: “I will have the grilled salmon with a side salad.” or “I’ll have the steak, please.”
- I would like / I’d like…
- Meaning: This is a polite way to express your desire for something. It can come off as more courteous than simply stating what you will have.
- Usage: This phrase is widely used and works well in most situations, particularly in formal dining.
- Example: “I would like the chicken pasta.” or “I’d like a glass of red wine, please.”
- Can I get…
- Meaning: This phrase is a more casual and informal way of asking for something. It implies a request rather than a statement of intent.
- Usage: Common in casual dining settings or fast-food restaurants, it can feel more conversational.
- Example: “Can I get the cheeseburger with fries?” or “Can I get a side of garlic bread?”
Each of these phrases is appropriate in different contexts, so you can choose one based on the formality of the restaurant and your personal style!
Practice
Quiz: Ordering Food at a Restaurant
1. How can you ask for the shrimp pasta?
- A. Can I get the shrimp pasta?
- B. I get the shrimp pasta.
- C. Shrimp pasta thank you.
2. How would you express your preference for a salad?
- A. I like a salad.
- B. I would like a salad.
- C. Salad I would like.
3. What’s a polite way to request the steak?
- A. I want steak.
- B. Can I get the steak, please?
- C. Steak I can get.
4. How can you order a dessert?
- A. I’ll have the chocolate cake.
- B. The chocolate cake I will have.
- C. Can I get the chocolate cake?
5. How would you like to ask for a drink?
- A. I’d have a glass of water.
- B. A glass of water I’ll have.
- C. Can I get water, please?
6. How can you request the special of the day?
- A. Special of the day I can get.
- B. Can I get the special of the day?
- C. I want the special of the day.
7. What’s a polite way to ask for a menu?
- A. I would like to see the menu.
- B. Can I get menu?
- C. Menu can I get it?
8. How can you express that you want the chicken curry?
- A. I have the chicken curry.
- B. The chicken curry I want.
- C. Can I get the chicken curry?
9. How do you ask for a recommendation?
- A. What do you recommend?
- B. I would a recommendation.
- C. Recommendation I would like.
10. What’s a way to order a sandwich?
- A. I like a sandwich.
- B. Sandwich I will have.
- C. Can I get a sandwich?
11. How can you politely ask for the check?
- A. Check I want.
- B. I would like the check, please.
- C. Can you get the check?
12. How would you like to order pasta?
- A. I’ll have the pasta.
- B. Pasta I’ll have.
- C. Pasta, please.
13. What’s a way to ask for the wine list?
- A. I would like the wine list, please.
- B. Would I get the wine list?
- C. Wine list can I get it?
14. How can you express your desire for fish?
- A. I want fish.
- B. Can I get the fish, please?
- C. Fish I will have.
15. How would you like to order breakfast?
- A. I would like breakfast, please.
- B. Breakfast I would like.
- C. I get breakfast, yes?
16. What’s a way to ask for a side of fries?
- A. Side fries I want.
- B. Can I get a side of fries?
- C. I have a side of fries.
17. How can you politely ask for ice cream?
- A. I want ice cream.
- B. Can I get some ice cream, please?
- C. Ice cream can I get?
18. How do you express wanting the soup of the day?
- A. I would like the soup of the day.
- B. Soup of the day I’ll have.
- C. Can I the soup of the day?
19. How can you ask for a refill on your drink?
- A. Can I get a refill, please?
- B. Refills I want.
- C. I’ll have a refill, yes?
20. What’s a way to order a breakfast omelet?
- A. I have the omelet now.
- B. Omelette I want.
- C. Can I get the breakfast omelet, please?
Answer Key
- A, 2. B, 3. B, 4. A,C 5. C, 6. B, 7. A, 8. C, 9. A, 10. C, 11. B, 12. A, 13. A, 14. B, 15. A, 16. B, 17. B, 18. A, 19. A, 20. C