Restaurant Vocabulary with Pictures - Learn 20 Essential Dining Words

A list of food and drinks available at a restaurant

"Could I see the menu please? I'd like to order something."

💡 In the UK, it's "menu". In the US, sometimes called "bill of fare" in fancy restaurants.

A booking for a table at a certain time

"I'd like to make a reservation for 7 PM tonight for four people."

💡 Also called "booking" in British English.

A person who brings you food and drinks

"The waiter was very polite and brought our food quickly."

💡 Gender-neutral term: "server" is increasingly common.

Extra money given for good service

"We should leave a good tip because the service was excellent."

💡 In the US, 15-20% is standard. In the UK, 10% is common.

Paper showing what you need to pay

"Could we have the bill, please? We're ready to pay."

💡 Called "check" in American English.

The first course of a meal

"For starter, I'll have the soup of the day."

💡 Called "appetizer" in American English.

A different dish available each day

"The special of the day is grilled salmon with vegetables."

💡 Specials are often fresher and sometimes cheaper than regular menu items.

Sweet food you eat after dinner

"Would you like any dessert? We have cake and ice cream."

💡 Called "pudding" in British English, regardless of what it is.

Someone who doesn't eat meat or fish

"I'm a vegetarian, so I don't eat any meat or fish."

💡 Vegan means no animal products at all (no eggs, milk, etc.).

Meat cooked a little, still red inside

"This steak is too rare. I asked for it well-done."

💡 Steak doneness: rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, well-done.

All tables are reserved

"The restaurant was fully booked, so we couldn't get a table."

💡 Try calling ahead or booking online to avoid disappointment.

The biggest dish you eat

"For my main course, I'll have the pasta."

💡 Also called "entrée" in American English (confusingly, entrée means starter in French!).

Made fresh in the restaurant kitchen

"The food here is homemade, which means it's made in the restaurant kitchen."

💡 Homemade usually means fresher and often tastier!

When some foods make you sick

"I have a peanut allergy, so I need to check the ingredients."

💡 Always inform your server about allergies - it's a safety issue!

Wine expert in a restaurant

"The sommelier recommended the house wine with our meal."

💡 Pronounced "som-mel-YAY" - they can help you choose the perfect wine.

Food that makes your mouth burn

"This dish is too spicy. Could I have some water, please?"

💡 Ask "How spicy is it?" before ordering if you're sensitive to heat.

How much food you get on your plate

"The portion was so large that I couldn't finish it all."

💡 American portions are often larger than European ones.

Where customers sit to eat

"We sat at a nice table by the window with a view of the street."

💡 You can request specific seating: "Table for two by the window, please."

Given for free

"The complimentary bread and butter are served before your meal."

💡 Complimentary = free. Don't confuse with "compliment" (praise).

The person who cooks the food

"The chef prepared an amazing five-course meal for us."

💡 Head chef = executive chef. Sous chef = second in command.