In this travel-survival lesson, Vanessa prepares learners for a restaurant visit in an English-speaking country. She focuses on five practical moments: explaining that one more person will join the party, telling the server you are ready to order, choosing a dish, politely correcting a side dish, and declining dessert while asking for the bill. The examples are set in the United States, but the phrases are broadly useful in English-language restaurant interactions. Restaurant routines and service expectations vary by place, so learners should treat the examples as language models rather than universal rules.

At the host stand, Vanessa describes a group of three waiting for a fourth person. “We have one more coming soon” gives the staff a clear update about the party size. Once seated, if you do not want an appetizer and already know what you want, she suggests a short response: “No, thanks, but we’re ready to order.” This lets the server know you are ready to choose a main dish. She then models “I’m going to get…” as a flexible way to order, whether the restaurant is fancy or casual. It is a useful alternative to simply naming a dish.

The next situation is a side dish arriving incorrectly. Vanessa recommends staying polite and focusing on what you ordered rather than accusing the server. “I’m sorry, I think I ordered the sweet potato fries. Can I get those instead?” softens the correction with “I’m sorry” and “I think,” then asks directly for the preferred side. The phrase “instead” makes the replacement clear. Learners can adapt this pattern to a drink, side dish, or other order, while remaining respectful.

At the end of the meal, a server may ask, “Did you save any room for dessert?” Vanessa explains that this asks whether you want dessert. If you are satisfied, “No, thanks. I’m full” or the more emphatic “I’m stuffed” politely declines. You can then say, “We’ll get the bill” or “We’ll take the bill” to signal that you are ready to leave. The lesson’s central strategy is to make your need clear with a brief, courteous sentence. Practising these exchanges before travel can help learners handle a restaurant visit with more confidence, from being seated through paying and leaving.

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Speak English With VanessaAmerican English08:16

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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00

Introducing the restaurant lesson in a travel series

Hi, I’m Vanessa from Speak English with Vanessa. What do you want to eat? Let’s talk about it. Welcome to the fourth video in the Travel Survival series. Congratulations—you’re going to travel to an . You’ll need phrases for typical situations, so today we’re going to focus on one specific situation.

Try it: Name an English-speaking place you might visit and one situation you want to prepare for.

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Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.

17 phrases

Showing 17 of 17 phrases

English-speaking country

Introducing the restaurant lesson in a travel series · collocation

A country where English is commonly used in public life or daily communication.

Tone and use: Neutral and descriptive. Use it to describe a country where English is commonly spoken or used.

Example“I’m preparing for a conference in an English-speaking country.”

feel more comfortable using them

Recommending the series and a downloadable review guide · expression

Feel more confident or at ease when using the expressions.

Tone and use: Neutral and encouraging. Use it when talking about growing confidence through practice.

Example“A few role-plays helped me feel more comfortable using the new phrases.”

keep it close to your heart

Explaining where to find the guide and inviting learners to guess the topic · expression

Keep something near you or value it; here, Vanessa is playfully encouraging learners to keep the guide handy.

Tone and use: Warm and playful. Use it literally for something precious or figuratively for an idea you value.

Example“That advice has stayed close to my heart for years.”

try to eat local food

Explaining why trying local food is part of travel · expression

Make an effort to try dishes that are characteristic of the place you are visiting.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational. Use it when recommending that travelers explore local dishes.

Example“We tried to eat local food during our week in Seoul.”

a good taste of the local cuisine

Explaining why trying local food is part of travel · expression

An enjoyable introduction to the food and cooking of a particular place.

Tone and use: Positive and descriptive. Use it when describing how food helps you experience a local culture.

Example“The market tour gave us a good taste of the local cuisine.”

I’ll meet you at the restaurant

Telling the host how many people are in the party · expression

A way to say you will join someone at the restaurant rather than travel there together.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational. Use it to make a plan to join people at a particular place.

Example“I’m running late, but I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

we have one more coming soon

Saying that another person will join the group · expression

Tell staff that one additional person will arrive shortly and join your group.

Tone and use: Clear, friendly, and conversational. Use it when a host asks how many people are in your party and someone else is on the way.

Example“We have one more coming soon; she’s parking the car.”

we’re ready to order

Saying you are ready to order the main meal · expression

Tell the server that you are ready to choose and order your food.

Tone and use: Polite and direct. Use it after declining an appetizer or when the server asks if you are ready to order.

Example“No, thanks, we’re ready to order now.”

one of the most common ways

Ordering a dish with “I’m going to get” · expression

One method among several that people use very often.

Tone and use: Neutral and explanatory. Use it to introduce a frequent or typical method without claiming it is the only method.

Example“One of the most common ways to pay is by card.”

I’m going to get

Ordering a dish with “I’m going to get” · expression

A natural way to say what you plan to order at a restaurant.

Tone and use: Conversational and direct. Use it before the food or drink you want to order.

Example“I’m going to get the grilled salmon and rice.”

I’m sorry, I think I ordered

Introducing a polite way to correct a side dish · expression

A softened way to point out that an order may be incorrect without directly blaming the server.

Tone and use: Polite and tentative. Use it to clarify an order when something you received does not match what you requested.

Example“I’m sorry, I think I ordered the soup. Could you check for me?”

Can I get those instead?

Introducing a polite way to correct a side dish · expression

Ask to receive the item you wanted in place of the one that arrived.

Tone and use: Polite and direct. Use it to request a replacement, naming or pointing to the item you prefer.

Example“Could I get the steamed vegetables instead?”

instead of the salad

Explaining the correction and describing the restaurant response · expression

In place of the salad; it specifies which item you want replaced.

Tone and use: Neutral and clarifying. Use “instead of” to identify what you want in place of another option.

Example“Could I have rice instead of the salad?”

save any room for dessert

Understanding a dessert offer · expression

Still have enough space in your stomach to eat dessert after a meal.

Tone and use: Friendly and conversational; it is a common server question. Use it when asking whether someone wants dessert after eating.

Example“Did you save any room for dessert, or should we ask for the check?”

I’m stuffed

Declining dessert and asking for the bill · expression

I have eaten a lot and feel very full.

Tone and use: Informal and emphatic. Use it casually to say you are very full after eating.

May not fit: In a formal context, “I’m full” is a more neutral choice.

Example“No more cake for me, thanks—I’m stuffed.”

we’ll get the bill

Declining dessert and asking for the bill · expression

Tell the server that your group is ready to pay and leave.

Tone and use: Polite and conversational. Use it at the end of a restaurant meal when you are ready to pay.

Example“Everything was great. We’ll get the bill, please.”

feel free to

Inviting learners to practise and closing the lesson · expression

A friendly way to tell someone they are welcome to do something.

Tone and use: Warm and inviting. Use it to give permission or encourage an optional action.

Example“Feel free to ask the server if you have a question about the menu.”

Knowledge check

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Use it in a sentence · “we have one more coming soon”

Travel English: Going to a Restaurant [5 Advanced Expressions]