Imagine this scenario: you’re sitting in a fancy restaurant abroad, scanning through the English menu and struggling to understand some terms. Suddenly, you’re asked by the waiter about your preferred ‘side dish’ or ‘main course’. How would you respond? Wouldn’t it be handy to know these terms and speak confidently? That’s precisely what we’re going to learn today: English collocations related to restaurants. Knowing these common collocations will help you feel more at ease during dining experiences and enhance your English conversational skills!
Now, let’s embark on a delightful journey to discover 31 scrumptious collocations associated with restaurants!
1. Table reservation: Booking a table at a restaurant.
Example: I made a table reservation for 7 PM.
2. À la carte: Ordering individual dishes from a menu in a restaurant.
Example: We decided to order à la carte instead of choosing the set menu.
3. Main course: The primary dish of a meal.
Example: For my main course, I ordered grilled salmon.
4. Side dish: A food item that accompanies the main course.
Example: French fries are my favorite side dish.
5. Wine list: A menu of wines available at a restaurant.
Example: The sommelier presented us with an extensive wine list.
6. Specials board: A board displaying the restaurant’s special dishes of the day.
Example: The specials board listed a tantalizing seafood pasta.
7. Waiting staff: The people who serve customers at a restaurant.
Example: The waiting staff at that restaurant were very attentive.
8. Tasting menu: A menu consisting of small portions of several dishes.
Example: We tried the tasting menu to sample a variety of dishes.
9. Tip included: A service charge added to the bill.
Example: The bill was higher than expected because the tip was included.
10. Soft drink: A non-alcoholic beverage.
Example: I ordered a cola as my soft drink.
11. Outdoor seating: Tables and chairs set up outside the restaurant.
Example: We chose outdoor seating to enjoy the lovely weather.
12. Chef’s special: A dish created and recommended by the chef.
Example: The chef’s special tonight is a seafood paella.
13. Vegetarian option: A meal that doesn’t contain meat or fish.
Example: The vegetarian option was a delicious chickpea curry.
14. Vegan-friendly: A meal suitable for people who don’t consume any animal products.
Example: The restaurant has several vegan-friendly dishes.
15. Seafood platter: A variety of seafood served on a single plate.
Example: We ordered a seafood platter to share.
16. Food allergies: Adverse reactions to certain food items.
Example: Please inform the waiting staff of any food allergies.
17. Child-friendly: Suitable for children.
Example: The restaurant is child-friendly with a special menu for kids.
18. Dietary restrictions: Limitations on what one can eat due to health or personal reasons.
Example: The restaurant caters to all dietary restrictions.
19. Fast service: Quick preparation and delivery of food.
Example: Despite the crowd, the restaurant provided fast service.
20. Gluten-free: Free of a protein called gluten, found in wheat and other grains.
Example: They offer gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
21. Family-style: Dishes are shared among everyone at the table.
Example: We ordered a family-style meal with several dishes to share.
22. Fine dining: A high-end restaurant with superior quality food and service.
Example: For our anniversary, we went to a fine dining restaurant.
23. Table manners: Proper behavior while eating at a table.
Example: Good table manners are important in a formal restaurant.
24. Fixed menu: A menu with a specific set of meals for a fixed price.
Example: We chose the fixed menu because it offered a variety of dishes.
25. Local cuisine: Food that is typical of the area.
Example: The restaurant specializes in local cuisine.
26. Signature dish: The dish for which the restaurant is most known.
Example: We had to try the restaurant’s signature dish, the lobster bisque.
27. House wine: The wine that a restaurant buys in large quantities and sells cheaply.
Example: We ordered a bottle of the house wine.
28. Gourmet meal: A meal that is high-quality, well-presented, and often sophisticated.
Example: The five-course gourmet meal was simply exquisite.
29. Tipping policy: The practice or system followed regarding gratuities for the staff.
Example: It’s important to know the restaurant’s tipping policy.
30. Bistro-style: A small, informal restaurant, often serving simple food.
Example: We enjoyed a relaxed dinner at a bistro-style eatery.
31. All-you-can-eat: A service where customers pay a fixed price and can consume as much as they wish.
Example: The all-you-can-eat sushi deal was amazing!
In a nutshell, these 31 restaurant collocations are your passport to a smooth dining experience in English-speaking environments. Using these phrases will not only boost your vocabulary but also make you sound more natural.
