Practise a short café visit from asking for the menu to paying.

The idea

Use Could I have…? or I would like… to order politely. Ask May I see the menu? before choosing and ask about an ingredient if needed. For here means you will eat or drink at the café. When ready to pay, ask for the bill; in the United States, the check is also common.

Examples

  • Could I have a tea, please?
  • May I see the menu?
  • I would like a cheese sandwich.
  • Is there milk in this soup?
  • For here, please.
  • Could I have the bill, please?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

An ingredient question such as Is there milk in this soup? asks what is present; it does not itself communicate an allergy. State an allergy clearly and confirm the answer.

Try it yourself

  1. Ask politely for tea. (Could I have a tea, please? / Could I have a coffee, please?)

    Show answer or example answer

    Could I have a tea, please?

    Could I have a tea, please? makes a polite request.

  2. Ask to look at the menu. (May I see the menu? / May I see the bill?)

    Show answer or example answer

    May I see the menu?

    May I see the menu? asks to look at the menu.

  3. Ask to pay. (Could I have the bill, please? / Could I have the menu, please?)

    Show answer or example answer

    Could I have the bill, please?

    Could I have the bill, please? asks the server for the bill.

Use it today

Write a three-line café exchange: request a drink, ask about an ingredient and ask for the bill.