ESL Eating Out Conversation

The ESL eating out conversations on this page are examples of the sort of exchanges that might happen in restaurants or when eating out. They are examples for you to look at so you can see how a real conversation might go. This will be useful for if you ever need to talk about eating out.

Firstly there are the two example conversations on this page. They are both included as either written text for you to read or as cartoons that you can watch. If you need any help with the words used you can look at the ESL eating out vocabulary page as this has many eating out words with definitions.

Once you have finished looking at the two example conversations there are three tasks for you to do that will help you understand ESL eating out conversations better. They are:

• Filling in the blanks in a conversation
• Writing your own conversation
• Conversation topics so you can talk with your friends

Conversation 1

Situation: Lucy and Jane invite Tui to join them for lunch at a Korean restaurant.

Lucy: Hi, Tui.
Tui: Hi, Lucy.
Lucy: Jane and I are getting together for lunch. Do you want to come with us? 
Tui: Yeah, that would be nice. Where are you taking me?
Jane: Some place you’ve never been before. A Korean restaurant named Jinjuu.
Tui: Fantastic! I’ve always wanted to try Korean food. Have you tried Korean food?
Lucy: I’ve eaten out at several Korean restaurants before but I think Jinjuu offers something new.
Tui: Really? What is it?
Lucy: It serves traditional Korean street food such as kimchi fries, pajeon pancakes and Korean fried chicken in mixed Korean and English styles.
Tui: Yum! You are making me hungry. What’s the specialty?
Lucy: The signature menu is Jinjuu Chicken or Korean Fried Chicken.
Jane: Do you know celebrity chef Judy Joo? She’s the owner of the restaurant.
Tui: I see. What about the price?
Lucy: I don’t know. I didn’t find pricing information on their website.
Tui: I thought you had eaten out at the restaurant before.
Lucy: No, I haven’t. Don’t worry. It’s my treat.
Tui: Well, have you made a reservation?
Lucy: Yes. I’ve booked a table for three.
Tui: Great! Let’s go now, shall we?

Conversation 2

Situation: Lucy, Jane and Tui are having lunch at a Korean restaurant. They want to order dessert and then pay the bill.

Lucy: Excuse me. Can you come here when you have a second?
Waiter: Sorry to keep you waiting. Did you enjoy your meal?
Lucy: That was lovely! Thank you.
Waiter: Would you like to see the menu again for dessert?
Lucy: Well, now, what do you recommend?
Waiter: Well, we have hoppang and snickers hotteok for our specials.
Jane: What exactly is snickers hotteok?
Waiter: It’s a flat Korean doughnut stuffed with salted caramel and roasted peanuts.
Tui: Hmm…it sounds delicious! Please, bring me one.
Lucy: Bring us three please.
Waiter: Would you like coffee or tea with your dessert?
Lucy: I’d like some coffee.
Jane: I’d like tea.
Tui: I’d like coffee with cream.
Waiter: OK. Your order will be served soon.

(pause)

Waiter: Here’s your food. Enjoy.
Lucy: Oh, waiter! Could we also have the bill, please?
Waiter: Certainly. I’ll bring you the bill. Alright, your total is £85.
Lucy: Here you are. Keep the change.
Waiter: Thank you. Have a nice day.
Lucy: Thank you, same to you.

ESL Eating Out Conversation Exercises

There are now three ESL eating out conversation exercises for you to do. Make sure that you understand the conversations from above and key vocabulary items before starting them.

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

For the first ESL eating out conversation you need to read the following conversation and then chose the best option (A-D) in each question to fill in the blanks from the conversation. Once you have finished you can check how many you got correct by clicking the get score button.

Situation: Patrick and Tui have dinner at a restaurant near their campus.

Waiter: Welcome to our restaurant. My name’s Andy. I’ll be __________(1)__________. Table for two?
Patrick: Yes, a table for two.
Waiter: Would you __________(2)__________? Will this table be all right?
Patrick: Is the table by the window reserved?
Waiter: No, sir. You can have it.
Patrick: Great. We can enjoy the city view while eating.
Waiter: Yes. Here’s the menu. I’ll be right back.

(pause)

Waiter: OK.  Are you __________(3)__________?
Patrick: Yes.
Waiter: Can I start you off __________(4)__________?
Patrick: I’ll have iced tea, please.
Tui: And I’ll have lemonade.
Patrick: I think we’re ready. I’ll have the tomato soup to start, and the roast beef with mashed potatoes and peas.
Waiter: How do you want the beef – rare, medium, or well done?
Patrick: Well done, please.
Tui: And __________(5)___________, with potatoes and a salad.
Waiter: Anything else?
Tui: Could we have some water, please?
Waiter: Certainly. Is that all?
Tui: That’s all.
Waiter: I’ll be back shortly.

(pause)

Waiter: Here’s your order.
Patrick: Thank you!
Waiter: Enjoy your meal.

ESL Eating Out Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the eating out conversation given above.

1) Which option is the best to fill in the first blank?

    A) your chef this evening
    B) your server this evening
    C) cooking for you this evening
    D) waiting for you this evening

2) Which option is the best to fill in the second blank?

    A) pay the bill, please
    B) be careful, please
    C) pass the salt, please
    D) come this way, please

3) Which option is the best to fill in the third blank?

    A) waiting for someone
    B) like to see a menu
    C) ready to order
    D) like your steak

4) Which option is the best to fill in the fourth blank?

    A) with something to drink
    B) with some appetizers
    C) to order
    D) seeing the menu

5) Which option is the best to fill in the fifth blank?

    A) I’d like an espresso
    B) I’ll just have the fish
    C) please make sure it’s well done
    D) I’d like to take the rest

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 – Writing a Conversation

The next ESL eating out conversation activity is for you to write a conversation of your own. You can use the three conversations from above as example if you want to. You need to decide where the conversation is happening, what it is about and who the people are. Then write what they would say to each other. When you have finished you should try to find a friend or group of friends to act-out the ESL eating out conversations.

Exercise 3 – Conversation Topics

For this last ESL eating out conversation exercise there are two sets of conversation questions below. You should take one set and your friend the other set, and then ask each other the questions. Take turns to do this until you have asked all five questions from your set. You should try to talk as much as possible and give as long an answer as you can. When you have finished you can swap conversation sets and start again, if you want to.

You can also download the questions on conversation cards by clicking the following picture.

Do you want to practice speaking more? Then download my ‘80 ESL Conversation Cards’ ebook that has many more conversation questions.

Question set A

• How often do you go to eat out?
• What is your favourite type of restaurant to go to?
• Have you ever worked in a restaurant?
• What is the most important thing when choosing somewhere to eat out?
• Would you like to own a restaurant?

Question set B

• What sort of fast food do you like the best, and why?
• Would you like to work in a restaurant?
• What is the hardest job to do in a restaurant?
• Do you like going to fine dining restaurants?
• How much do you tip when paying the bill in a restaurant?

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