Let's get started.

Ok, so when you enter the restaurant, the host may ask you

“How big is your party?”

That just means, “How big is your group?”

So if you have a group of two people, you would say

“We have a party of two.”

Or if you have a group of four people, you would say

“We have a party of four.”

Or, for example, if I have a party of six and I'm waiting for a table, and it's my turn.

Then the host will call out and say, “Nick party of six”

So, as soon as you sit down at your table, your server will immediately ask you

“Can I get you anything to start?”

“Can I get you anything to drink?”

Both of these mean the same thing, they are just asking if you would like to have anything to drink, so they can get your drinks

While you look at the menu and decide what you want to order.

Common ways to respond are:

“Can I get a…”

“Can I get a chocolate milk?”

“I'll have a…”

“I'll have a chocolate milk?”

“I'll take a…”

Obviously you don't have to order chocolate milk, you can get whatever you want.

But if you do order chocolate milk…

When the server returns with your drinks, they will then ask for your food order and they will probably use one of these phrases

“What can I get you?”

“What would you like?”

“What can I start you off with?”

Then you can respond with one of these phrases

“Can I get a…”

“Can I get a mac & cheese”

“I'll have a…”

“I'll have a mac & cheese”

“I'll take a…”

“I'll take a mac & cheese”

Oh man I would KILL for some mac & cheese right now.

Ok, calling your server. So if you need to get your server's attention.

Maybe you need some more plates.

Maybe you would like some more water.

Anything.

If you need to get their attention, I always like to start with “Excuse me.”

“Excuse me, could I get some more napkins please? Thanks”

“When you get a chance…”

“When you get a chance could I get five more chocolate milks? Thanks."

These are some of the same phrases you would use at a bar if you were ordering drinks.

If you want to see my video on how to order drinks at a bar, check it out right here.

Ok, in English there are tons of ways you can say “bathroom.”

Loo.

Water closet.

Washroom.

The list goes on.

But in America, the most common ways to say bathroom are

Bathroom.

And also, restroom.

So you would say, “Where is the bathroom?”

“Where is the bathroom?”

“Where is the restroom?”

Or you can also ask, “Do you have a restroom I can use?”

“Do you have a bathroom I can use?”

Ok so now at the very end of the meal.

When you are all done eating and you are so full that your stomach is about to burst.

You just flag down your server and ask them

“Can I get the check when you get a chance?”

“Excuse me, can I have the bill?”

Ok, tipping

In the US, it is customary to tip your server 15-20%.

But if your party is larger than six, they may automatically include tip/gratuity.

So make sure you check so you don't tip them twice.

If you're not sure, you can always ask your server

“Is tip included?”

“Is gratuity included?”

But this is only for parties of six or larger.

Alright, so you've finished eating and you've eaten as much as you could

But, maybe your eyes were bigger than your stomach and you ordered way too much food.

If you'd like to take the leftover food home, you can stop and ask your server.

“Excuse me, can I have a doggy bag?”

“Can I get a box?”

In the 1970's the term doggy bag was used to promote bringing your leftover food home to your pet.

But now we just use it as a general term to mean "dabou."

Alright so when you're ready to leave, after you've eaten and you've paid your bill and you've got your doggy bag.

You just simply say thank you to your server and your host and waltz out of the restaurant.

Hooray!

You've completed your first colloquial English dining experience.

We went over a ton of phrases today so I suggest that you write down the phrases in this video.

Rewatch the video so you can get some more practice.

And then next time you're in the restaurant, you can practice these phrases with your server.

If you have any questions or you want to make any comments, drop me a line below or send a message.

And I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

Now, time to go find some chocolate milk.