In English, how do we talk about different types of restaurants, people who work in the restaurant industry, tableware, dishes, and even placing orders?

Whet your appetite with this English vocabulary sheet on catering!

How is a restaurant set up?

Restaurant Architecture

Place	Description	Audio
*bar*	The area where drinks are prepared and served.
*counter*	A long, flat surface for serving customers.
*kitchen*	The area where food is prepared and cooked.
*non-smoking area*	A designated space where smoking is not allowed.
*restaurant*	A place where people go to eat meals, prepared and served by staff.
toilet / lavatory / restroom / bathroom	A room with facilities for guests to use for personal hygiene.

Different Types of Restaurants

Place	Description	Audio
*Chinese restaurant*	A restaurant serving traditional Chinese cuisine.
*fast food*	A place offering quickly prepared, affordable food.
*French restaurant*	A restaurant specializing in French cuisine, known for dishes like croissants and coq au vin.
*Indian restaurant*	A place serving traditional Indian dishes, often including curries and spicy foods.
*Italian restaurant*	A restaurant that offers Italian dishes, such as pasta, pizza, and risotto.
*Japanese restaurant*	A restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, known for sushi, sashimi, and ramen.
*kebab house / restaurant*	A place specializing in kebabs, often grilled meat served with flatbread or salad.
*pub*	A casual place that serves drinks and often offers simple food, like burgers and fries.

Restaurant Staff and Roles

In the Kitchen

Title	Description	Audio
*caterer*	A professional who prepares and delivers food for events and gatherings.
*chef*	The head cook in a kitchen, responsible for meal planning and cooking.
*cook*	A person who prepares and cooks food in a kitchen.
*dishwasher*	The person who cleans dishes, pots, and pans in the kitchen.

In the Dining Area

Title	Description	Audio
*bartender, barman*	A person who prepares and serves drinks at a bar.
*client / customer*	A person dining at or purchasing from the restaurant.
*delivery-man, delivery-woman*	A person who delivers food to customers outside the restaurant.
*receptionist*	The staff member who greets customers and manages reservations.
*sommelier*	A wine expert who advises customers on wine choices.
*waiter, waitress*	A person who serves food and drinks to customers at their tables.

Restaurant Equipment

Table Setting

Item	Description	Audio
*booth*	A seating area with benches, often in a cozy or semi-private space.
*napkin*	A cloth or paper used to wipe the mouth and hands while eating.
*straw*	A thin tube used for drinking beverages.
*table*	A flat surface where food and drinks are served and eaten.
*table cloth*	A fabric that covers a table, often for decoration or protection.

Tableware

Item	Description	Audio
*champagne glass*	A tall, narrow glass used for serving champagne.
*coffee spoon*	A small spoon used for stirring coffee.
*crockery*	General term for plates, bowls, and other dishes.
*cup*	A small container for drinking, usually with a handle.
*cutlery / silverware*	Utensils like forks, knives, and spoons used for eating.
*dinner plate*	A large plate used for the main meal.
*dishwasher*	A machine for washing dishes automatically.
*fork*	A utensil with prongs, used to pick up food.
*glass*	A container for drinking liquids, usually made of glass.
*kitchen knife*	A sharp knife used for preparing food in the kitchen.
*knife*	A utensil with a blade used for cutting food.
*plate*	A flat dish used to serve food.
*serving spoon*	A large spoon used for serving food.
*spoon*	A utensil with a small bowl at the end, used for eating or stirring.
*teaspoon*	A small spoon typically used for stirring tea or eating desserts.
*to do the dishes / the washing up*	To wash plates, utensils, and other tableware after a meal.
*wine glass*	A glass specifically designed for serving wine.

What you can eat and drink in a restaurant

General Food Terms

Term	Description	Audio
*appetizers*	Small, light dishes served before the main meal.
*cooking*	The process of preparing and heating food.
*dish*	A specific prepared item of food.
*ingredients*	The different items used to make a dish.
*main course / main dish*	The primary or largest dish of a meal.
*meal*	Food eaten at a particular time, like breakfast or dinner.
*raw*	Food that is uncooked.
*side dish*	A small serving of food served alongside the main dish.
*starter / first course*	A small dish served at the beginning of a meal.

Different types of dishes

At any time…

Meal	Description	Audio
*breakfast*	The first meal of the day, usually eaten in the morning.
*lunch*	A meal typically eaten in the middle of the day.
*dinner*	The main evening meal.

…and for all tastes

Meal	Description	Audio
*children’s menu / kids’ menu*	A menu with items suitable for children.
*daily special*	A dish offered at a special price, often unique each day.
*gourmet cooking*	High-quality, expertly prepared cuisine.
*home / house made*	Made in-house, not store-bought.
*local specialty*	A dish typical of the region or local area.

Types of Food

Food	Description	Audio
*bread*	Baked food made from flour, water, and yeast.
*cheese*	Dairy product made from milk, often used in cooking.
*French fries*	Thinly sliced potatoes fried until crispy.
*noodles / pasta*	Long, thin dough, typically served in sauce.
*pie / tart*	A pastry filled with ingredients like fruit or meat.
*potatoes*	Starchy vegetables often boiled, baked, or fried.
*rice*	Small grains, often used as a staple food.
*salad*	A mix of raw or cooked vegetables, sometimes with dressing.
*soup*	Liquid food made by boiling ingredients.

To season

Seasoning	Description	Audio
*butter*	A solid dairy spread, often used for cooking or on bread.
*dip*	A thick sauce for dipping foods into.
*olive oil*	Oil made from olives, used in cooking and salad dressings.
*pepper*	A common spice, usually ground and sprinkled on food.
*salt*	A mineral used to enhance flavor.
*seasoning*	A blend of spices used to flavor food.
*spicy*	Food that has a strong, hot flavor.

For Meat Eaters

Term	Description	Audio
*meat*	Animal flesh used as food.
*medium rare*	Meat that is partially cooked, still pink in the middle.
*underdone*	Meat that is lightly cooked.
*well-done*	Meat cooked thoroughly with no pinkness.

For Vegetarians

Term	Description	Audio
*vegetable*	Edible plants, often used in salads or side dishes.
*vegetarian dishes*	Dishes that do not contain meat.

For Dessert

Dessert	Description	Audio
*cake*	A sweet baked dessert, often with frosting.
*dessert*	The sweet course served at the end of a meal.
*sugar*	Sweet crystals used to add sweetness to foods.

Drinks

Water

Water	Description	Audio
*bottle of water*	A sealed container of drinking water.
*sparkling water*	Water with added bubbles.
*still water*	Plain, non-carbonated water.
*tap water*	Water from the faucet.

Coffee

Coffee	Description	Audio
*coffee*	A hot drink made from roasted coffee beans.
*decaffeinated coffee / decaf*	Coffee with most of the caffeine removed.

Wine

Drink	Description	Audio
*alcohol*	Beverages containing ethanol, often used for social drinking.
*bottle of wine*	A full container of wine, typically shared.
red wine	Wine made from dark-colored grapes.
*rosé wine*	A pink wine made from grapes with brief skin contact.
*wine*	An alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes.

Beer

Drink	Description	Audio
*beer*	An alcoholic drink made from fermented grains.
*pint of beer*	A large serving of beer, often ordered in pubs.

Other Beverages

Drink	Description	Audio
*cold drink*	A refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage served chilled.
*drink*	Any type of beverage, hot or cold.
*hot drink*	A warm beverage, like coffee or tea.
*ice cubes*	Frozen water used to chill drinks.
*juice*	Liquid extracted from fruits or vegetables.
*tea*	A drink made from infusing tea leaves in hot water.

Ordering and Paying at a Restaurant

Placing an Order

Term	Description	Audio
*allergic*	Unable to eat certain foods due to health reactions.
*booking / reservation*	A pre-arranged table at the restaurant.
*chef’s specialty*	A dish recommended by the chef.
*dish of the day / today’s special*	A featured item on the menu for that day.
*eat-in*	Choosing to eat the food at the restaurant.
*menu*	The list of food and drink options available.
*order*	A request for food and drinks.
*service*	The attention provided by restaurant staff.
*table for two / three*	A request for a specific number of people at a table.
*takeout (US) / to go (US) / takeaway (UK)*	Ordering food to eat elsewhere.
to book	To reserve a table in advance.
*to choose / to order*	To select and request food or drink.

Paying at the End of the Meal

Term	Description	Audio
*check (US) / bill (UK)*	The total amount due for the meal.
credit card	A card used for electronic payment.
*receipt*	Proof of purchase.
*tip*	Extra money left for the service staff.
*to split / to share the bill*	To divide the payment among several people.
*to tip*	To leave extra money for the service staff.

Common Restaurant Phrases

Phrase	Description	Audio
*Are you ready to order?*	Asking if the customer has decided on their food.
*Can we sit over there?*	Requesting a specific seating area.
*Cheers!*	A friendly toast before drinking.
*I didn’t order this.*	Stating that a wrong dish was brought.
*I’m starving!*	Expressing that you’re very hungry.
*Keep the change!*	Telling the server to keep the extra money.
Same again, please.	Requesting a repeat of the previous order.
This is overcooked.	Saying the food is cooked too long.
We’re full at the moment.	Informing customers that there are no tables available.

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English Vocabulary Guide: Dining and Restaurants