Learning restaurant vocabulary is essential for effective communication and a seamless dining experience. Whether you are a customer or working in the hospitality industry, knowing specific terms helps in clearly expressing needs and understanding services. It enhances your ability to order food, ask questions about the menu, and interact politely with the staff. For restaurant employees, this vocabulary is crucial for providing excellent customer service, taking accurate orders, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Overall, mastering restaurant vocabulary contributes to a more enjoyable and efficient dining experience for everyone involved.
Table of Contents
1. Restaurant Vocabulary list
Restaurant Vocabulary list
| Appetizer/ Starter
Main course Dessert Beverage Side dish Menu Reservation Chef |
Waiter/ Waitress
Bill (U.K.) / Check (U.S.) Tip Buffet Host/Hostess Drink Napkin Cutlery/ Silverware |
Plate
Glass Dish Tablecloth Order Cuisine |
Restaurant Verbs
| Pay
Order Serve Cook Prepare Eat Drink Clean Clear Seat |
Book
Welcome Take (an order) Recommend Refill Taste Bring Pour Tip Collect |
Arrange
Set (the table) Greet Prepare (the bill) Decorate Confirm Taste-test Fold (napkins) Wipe Adjust |
2. Restaurant Vocabulary List with Pictures and Examples.
Restaurant Vocabulary
- Menu
The list of food and drinks available at a restaurant.
Example: “Can I see the menu, please?”
- Appetizer
A small dish served before the main course.
Example: “We ordered a salad as an appetizer.”
- Main course
The primary dish of a meal.
Example: “For the main course, I’ll have the steak.”
- Dessert
A sweet dish served at the end of a meal.
Example: “Would you like to see the dessert menu?”
- Beverage
A drink, especially one other than water.
Example: “What kind of beverages do you have?”
- Starter
Another term for an appetizer.
Example: “The soup was an excellent starter.”
- Side dish
A dish that accompanies the main course.
Example: “I’ll have mashed potatoes as a side dish.”
- Reservation
An arrangement made in advance to secure a table at a restaurant.
Example: “I have a reservation for two at 7 PM.”
- Waiter/Waitress
A person who serves food and drinks to customers in a restaurant.
Example: “The waiter was very attentive.”
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- Chef
The head cook in a restaurant.
Example: “The chef prepared a special dish for us.”
- Bill (U.K.) / Check (U.S.)
A statement of the total amount of money owed for food and drink.
Example: “Could we have the bill, please?”
- Tip
An extra amount of money given to a waiter or waitress for their service.
Example: “We left a 20% tip for excellent service.”
- Specials
Dishes that are not on the regular menu and are offered for a limited time.
Example: “Today’s specials are listed on the board.”
- Cuisine
A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country or region.
Example: “Italian cuisine is my favorite.”
- Buffet
A meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes.
Example: “The hotel offers a breakfast buffet.”
- A la carte
Ordering individual dishes from the menu, rather than a set meal.
Example: “You can choose any dish a la carte.”
- Course
A part of a meal served at one time, such as an appetizer, main course, or dessert.
Example: “We had a three-course meal.”
- Table for two/four/etc.
A request for a table with a specific number of seats.
Example: “We need a table for four, please.”
- Host/Hostess
The person who greets and seats customers in a restaurant.
Example: “The hostess will show you to your table.”
- Drink
A liquid intended for consumption.
Example: “Would you like a drink with your meal?”
- Napkin
A piece of cloth or paper used to clean the hands and mouth while eating.
Example: “Please use your napkin to wipe your hands.”
- Cutlery/ Silverware
Tools used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons.
Example: “The cutlery is on the table.”
- Plate
A flat dish on which food is served.
Example: “Your plate is hot, be careful.”
- Glass
A container used for drinking beverages.
Example: “Can I get a glass of water?”
- Dish
A specific type of food prepared as part of a meal.
Example: “The pasta dish is delicious.”
- Tablecloth
A cloth covering used on a table.
Example: “The tablecloth is very elegant.”
- Booth
A type of seating arrangement in a restaurant with a table surrounded by benches.
Example: “We prefer to sit in a booth.”
- Order
A request made by a customer for food or drinks.
Example: “Are you ready to place your order?”
- Gratuity
Another term for tip; extra money given for service.
Example: “A 15% gratuity is included in the bill.”
- Utensils
Tools used in the preparation and consumption of food (includes cutlery).
Example: “Make sure you have all your utensils before you start eating.”
Restaurant Verbs
- Order:
To request food or drinks from the menu.
Example: “I’d like to order the special, please.”
- Serve:
To bring food or drinks to a customer’s table.
Example: “The waiter served our meals promptly.”
- Cook:
To prepare food by heating it.
Example: “The chef is cooking the pasta.”
- Prepare:
To make food ready for eating.
Example: “They prepare the ingredients fresh each day.”
- Eat:
To consume food.
Example: “We usually eat dinner at 7 PM.”
- Drink:
To consume liquids.
Example: “Would you like to drink some wine?”
- Clean:
To remove dirt or food from surfaces.
Example: “The staff cleans the tables after each use.”
- Clear:
To remove used dishes and utensils from a table.
Example: “The busboy cleared the table quickly.”
- Seat:
To show customers to their tables.
Example: “The hostess will seat you shortly.”
- Book:
To reserve a table at a restaurant.
Example: “I’d like to book a table for two at 8 PM.”
- Welcome:
To greet customers warmly.
Example: “The hostess welcomed us with a smile.”
- Take (an order):
To write down or remember what a customer wants to eat or drink.
Example: “The waiter took our order efficiently.”
- Recommend:
To suggest dishes to customers.
Example: “Can you recommend a good wine?”
- Refill:
To fill a glass or cup again.
Example: “Could you refill my water, please?”
- Taste:
To sample food or drink to check its flavor.
Example: “Would you like to taste the soup before ordering?”
- Bring:
To carry food or drinks to the table.
Example: “The waiter will bring your meal shortly.”
- Pour:
To transfer liquid from one container to another.
Example: “Could you pour the wine, please?”
- Pay:
To give money for food and drink consumed.
Example: “We need to pay the bill before we leave.”
- Tip:
To give extra money to service staff as a reward for good service.
Example: “We always tip 20% for good service.”
- Collect:
To gather payments or used dishes.
Example: “The waiter collected the payment from our table.”
- Arrange:
To organize seating or tables in a particular way.
Example: “They arranged the tables for the large party.”
- Set (the table):
To place plates, glasses, and cutlery on the table.
Example: “The server set the table before we arrived.”
- Greet:
To say hello to customers as they arrive.
Example: “The hostess greeted us at the door.”
- Prepare (the bill):
To calculate and present the total cost to the customer.
Example: “Can you prepare the bill for us, please?”
- Decorate:
To add decorations to enhance the restaurant’s appearance.
Example: “They decorated the restaurant for the holidays.”
- Confirm:
To verify a reservation or order.
Example: “We called to confirm our reservation.”
- Taste-test:
To sample food to ensure it meets standards.
Example: “The chef taste-tests every dish before serving.”
- Fold (napkins):
To arrange napkins neatly.
Example: “The server folded the napkins beautifully.”
- Wipe:
To clean a surface by rubbing it.
Example: “Please wipe the table after the customers leave.”
- Adjust:
To change the position or setting of something.
Example: “They adjusted the lighting for a more intimate atmosphere.”
3. Some interesting questions about restaurant vocabulary
1.What is the term for a small dish served before the main course?
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- A) Dessert
- B) Appetizer
- C) Main course
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- Correct Answer: B) Appetizer
2. What do you call the person who takes your order in a restaurant?
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- A) Chef
- B) Host
- C) Waiter/Waitress
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- Correct Answer: C) Waiter/Waitress
3. What is the bill called in American English?
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- A) Check
- B) Note
- C) Receipt
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- Correct Answer: A) Check
4. What term is used for a meal where guests serve themselves from a variety of dishes?
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- A) Menu
- B) Buffet
- C) A la carte
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- Correct Answer: B) Buffet
5. What is a common term for a list of food and drinks available at a restaurant?
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- A) Menu
- B) Catalog
- C) Ledger
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- Correct Answer: A) Menu
6. Which word describes a sweet dish served at the end of a meal?
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- A) Starter
- B) Beverage
- C) Dessert
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- Correct Answer: C) Dessert
7. What do you call the extra money given to a waiter or waitress for good service?
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- A) Tax
- B) Tip
- C) Fee
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- Correct Answer: B) Tip
8. What is the term for a special dish not on the regular menu, offered for a limited time?
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- A) Regulars
- B) Specials
- C) Sides
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- Correct Answer: B) Specials
9. What is a piece of cloth or paper used to clean your hands and mouth while eating?
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- A) Towel
- B) Handkerchief
- C) Napkin
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- Correct Answer: C) Napkin
10. What do you call the kitchen staff responsible for cooking food in a restaurant?
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- A) Manager
- B) Chef
- C) Host
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- Correct Answer: B) Chef
