Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Everyday Life

Ordering Food & Dealing with Issues

Your goal: order confidently, ask about ingredients, send back a dish politely, and split the bill.

1

Survival Phrases

Booking & arriving

  • A table for two, please — under Costa.
  • We're a few minutes early — is that OK?
  • Could we sit by the window, if possible?

Ordering

  • What would you recommend?
  • Does this contain nuts? I have an allergy.
  • Could I have the steak medium, not well done?
  • Just tap water for the table, please.

Problems

  • I'm sorry, but this is cold — could you reheat it?
  • This isn't what I ordered — I asked for no onions.
  • I think there's a mistake on the bill.

Paying

  • Could we split the bill three ways?
  • Is service included?
  • Can we pay by card, or is it cash only?
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Waiter: Good evening. Do you have a booking?

Diego: Yes, table for two, under Costa.

Waiter: Lovely — this way. Can I start you with drinks?

Diego: Tap water for the table, and the menu, please. Quick question — does the risotto contain nuts? My partner has an allergy.

Waiter: No nuts, but it's made with a stock that may carry traces. I'd suggest the pasta instead — fully nut-free.

Diego: Perfect, the pasta then, medium portion. And the steak for me, medium, please.

Waiter: Great choices. Anything else?

Diego: That's all for now, thanks. Oh — could we have the bill split two ways at the end?

Waiter: Of course. I'll bring card machines when you're ready.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
OrderingCould I have the steak medium, please?Steak, medium, please.
Reporting a problemI'm sorry, but this is cold — would you mind reheating it?This is cold — can you reheat it?
Asking about the billCould you tell me whether service is included?Is service included?
Asking to splitCould we split the bill three ways, please?Can we go thirds?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • I want the steak. → I'll have the steak, please. ((want → I'll have))
  • For me the pasta. → I'll have the pasta, please. ((for me → I'll have))
  • Does this has nuts? → Does this contain nuts? / Is there nuts in this? ((contain, não has))
  • I am allergic to nut. → I'm allergic to nuts. / I have a nut allergy. ((plural + allergy))
  • Can you bring me the account? → Could you bring the bill, please? ((account → bill/check))
  • I want to divide the bill. → Could we split the bill? ((divide → split))
5

Culture Note

  • Allergies are taken seriously — say 'I have a severe allergy' and staff will check with the kitchen; it's not an overreaction.
  • Service charge (often 10–12.5%) may already be on the bill in the UK; in the US tipping ~15–20% is expected on top.
  • Sending food back is normal if it's genuinely wrong or cold — being specific ('This is cold') beats vague complaints.
  • Tapping 'tap water' is free in many places; bottled still/sparkling is charged. Asking for tap is normal, not cheap.
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue with an allergy and a wrong order (you got chicken, not fish).
  2. Record both roles, polite but clear on the problem.
  3. Write one sentence sending back a cold dish.
  4. Real-life mission: read a real restaurant menu in English and find three terms (mains, sides, set menu).

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐order and specify how a dish is cooked?
  • ☐state an allergy clearly?
  • ☐send back a dish politely?
  • ☐ask to split the bill and about service?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays a waiter who brings the wrong dish and a bill with an error.