At a Café

80 words and phrases for confident communication at a café.

Study materials

WordTranslationTranscription
caféA place that serves drinks and light meals./kæˈfeɪ/
menuA list of food and drinks available to order./ˈmenjuː/
tableA piece of furniture where customers sit to eat or drink./ˈteɪbəl/
serverA person who takes orders and brings food to customers./ˈsɜːrvər/
customerA person who buys food or drinks from a business./ˈkʌstəmər/
orderFood or drinks that a customer has requested./ˈɔːrdər/
coffeeA hot drink made from roasted coffee beans./ˈkɔːfi/
teaA drink made by adding hot water to tea leaves./tiː/
waterA clear drink without sugar or flavouring./ˈwɔːtər/
milkA white drink often added to tea or coffee./mɪlk/
sugarA sweet substance added to food and drinks./ˈʃʊɡər/
cupA small container with a handle for hot drinks./kʌp/
glassA container used for cold drinks./ɡlæs/
spoonA utensil used for stirring or eating soft food./spuːn/
forkA utensil with narrow points used for eating food./fɔːrk/
knifeA utensil with a blade used for cutting food./naɪf/
plateA flat dish used for serving food./pleɪt/
breakfastThe first meal eaten in the morning./ˈbrekfəst/
lunchA meal usually eaten around the middle of the day./lʌntʃ/
sandwichFood consisting of a filling between pieces of bread./ˈsænwɪtʃ/
cakeA sweet baked food often served in slices./keɪk/
soupA liquid dish made by cooking vegetables, meat, or other ingredients./suːp/
saladA cold dish usually made with vegetables and dressing./ˈsæləd/
billA written statement showing how much a customer must pay./bɪl/
payTo give money for food, drinks, or a service./peɪ/
takeawayFood or drink prepared to be consumed somewhere else./ˈteɪkəweɪ/
eat inTo consume an order inside the café rather than take it away.
table for twoA request for seating for two people.
I'd likeA polite expression used to say what someone wants to order.
Can I haveA common polite phrase for requesting food or drink.
Anything elseA question asking whether the customer wants another item.
Enjoy your mealA polite wish said when food is served.