Restaurant
Learn how to talk about dining at restaurants, order food and beverages, describe the restaurant ambiance and atmosphere, and practice pronouncing “want to” clearly.

Part 1
Warm-up
Answer the questions
Do you enjoy eating out?
What type of food do you prefer?
Part 2
Vocabulary
Read the word, its’ meaning, and the examples
Then make up your own sentences using the word.
Student can skip the words they already know.
convenient
/kənˈviːniənt/

near or easy to get to or use
The hotel was convenient, just five minutes from the beach.
Having a small shop nearby is very convenient.
flavor
/ˈfleɪvər/

how food or drink tastes, or a particular taste itself
The soup has a nice garlic flavor
She loves the chocolate flavor of her shake.
starving
/ˈstɑːr.vɪŋ/

very hungry
I'm starving; I haven't eaten all day.
They were starving after the long walk.
vegetarian
/ˌvedʒəˈteriən/

(adj) => not eating or including meat
(noun) => talk about person
We need to find a restaurant with vegetarian (adj) options.
My sister is a vegetarian (noun); she doesn't eat meat.
for a change
/fɔːr ə tʃeɪndʒ/

in a way that is pleasant or interesting because it is different from what usually happens
It's nice to see her smile for a change.
Let's eat out in the garden for a change.
eat out
/eɪt aʊt/

to eat in a restaurant (not eat at home)
When I lived in Spain, I used to eat out all the time.
Do you want to eat out or cook at home?
Make up your own sentences using the words.
Part 3
Reading comprehension
Read the article and answer questions.
Teacher helps student correct their pronunciation.
A flavorful family outing to the new Thai restaurant
Last weekend, my family decided to eat out for a change, so we went to the new Thai restaurant in town. It’s very convenient because it’s right next to our house. When we arrived, we were all starving! The menu had so many delicious choices, but the flavors of the vegetarian dishes caught my eye. I ordered a vegetarian curry, and I was not disappointed. The flavors were amazing – a mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy all at once. My parents enjoyed their chicken and beef dishes, saying the flavors were authentic and rich. We all agreed that going to this Thai restaurant was a great decision. It’s nice to try different foods sometimes, and this was a tasty adventure for us!
More vocabulary
- tangy (adj): A tangy flavour is pleasantly strong and sharp
- authentic (adj): If something is authentic, it is real, true, or what people say it is
- adventure (n): an unusual, exciting, and possibly dangerous activity, trip, or experience, or the excitement produced by such activities
Check your understanding
Why did the family decide to eat out last weekend?
What kind of dish did the writer choose at the Thai restaurant?
Did the writer’s parents like the food at the restaurant? What did they say about it?
Sample answer
- The family decided to eat out last weekend for a change.
- The writer chose a vegetarian curry at the Thai restaurant.
- Yes, the writer's parents liked the food at the restaurant. They said the flavors were authentic and rich.
Part 4
Listening 1
People are talking about restaurants they ate at recently. Listen and check (✅) their opinions about each restaurant.
Vocabulary for this listening
- convenient
- lighting
- credit card
- polite
- decor
- server
- deserved
- simple
- downtown
- the only trouble
- leave a tip
- wait on (someone)
Click to play the Audio
1 | Good | Not good |
the location | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the interior | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the menu | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the service | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the prices | ⬜ | ⬜ |
2 | Good | Not good |
the location | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the interior | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the menu | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the service | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the prices | ⬜ | ⬜ |
3 | Good | Not good |
the location | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the interior | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the menu | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the service | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the prices | ⬜ | ⬜ |
4 | Good | Not good |
the location | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the interior | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the menu | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the service | ⬜ | ⬜ |
the prices | ⬜ | ⬜ |
Sample answer
1.
Good: the menu, the prices
Not good: the location, the interior, the service
2.
Good: the location, the interior, the menu, the food
Not good: the prices
3.
Good: the interior, the menu, the food, the prices
Not good: the location
4.
Good: the location, the food, the prices
Not good: the interior, the menu
Transcript
1.
We went to Luigi's Italian restaurant last night. It was the first time I'd been there.
It took us a long time to find it because it's not a very easy place to get to, actually. The restaurant was okay, I guess. It's small and they really need some new furniture to make the place look nicer, though. The menu was great. It had lots of choices and most of the dishes were pretty cheap only $10 for a small pizza. Unfortunately, the service was slow.
I think they need to hire more staff. Our dinner took a really long time to come, so we didn't leave a very good tip when we left.
2.
I tried that new Mexican restaurant last weekend. It's downtown near the post office. What a great location! You can sit inside and watch everyone go by. It has very nice décor and lighting. The menu has some great choices, too. They have the usual Mexican food you find everywhere, and they also have some different dishes that I've never tried before. The food was really delicious, but you might need a credit card to eat there. It cost over $100 for the two of us-a lot more than I expected. I'll probably go there again, though. The server that waited on us was really nice and quick, too, so we thought she deserved a good tip.
3.
I went to a Thai restaurant on Sunday. It's called Bangkok Restaurant. You have to drive for about half an hour to get there, and there's always a lot of traffic. That's the only trouble. But, it's a really nice place when you get there. Quiet music and lovely flowers everywhere. The menu is good with lots of choices. The food was very spicy, which is the way I like it. Fantastic desserts. It was really cheap, too. The server was very polite and took good care of us, so we left a big tip.
4.
There's a new Chinese restaurant just five minutes from my house. It's a very simple place. A little boring inside, actually-just a few tables in an empty room. They need to add more dishes to the menu, too. Right now, they only serve four or five things. But they're all delicious. And very cheap. You can get a good meal there for around $15.
All the people who work there were very friendly and helpful, so I left a good tip.
Listening 2
People are ordering food in a restaurant. What does each person order? Listen and check (✅) the correct picture.
Vocabulary for this listening
- asparagus
- hot sauce
- baked potato
- hurry
- cheeseburger
- make sure
- chef
- milk shake
- flavor
- salt
- fries
- vanilla
- heat
Click to play the Audio

Sample answer
1.B
2.A
3.A
4.B
5.A
6.B
Transcript
1.
A: What would you like to order?
B: I think I'll have the fish.
A: Okay, and would you like asparagus or a baked potato?
B: I'll have the asparagus. And could I have some tea, please?
A: Sure.
B: Oh! Could you ask the chef to hurry?
I'm really starving.
A: Okay. I'll try to get it for you as soon as possible.
2.
A: What would you like to order?
B: I'd like the steak, please.
A: Would you like a baked potato or fries with that?
B: I'd like fries, please.
A: Okay.
B: And make sure there are lots of fries, please. They're my favorite food.
A: Sure.
3.
A: Have you made up your mind?
B: Yes. I'm going to have the spaghetti and a small salad.
A: Anything else?
B: When you bring the spaghetti, could you bring a bottle off hot sauce?
A: Hot sauce? Like Tabasco sauce?
B: Yes. I like really spicy food.
A: No problem.
4.
A: What can I get you?
B: I'd like a cheeseburger, french fries, and a cola.
A: Okay.
B: But could you make sure there's no salt on the french fries?
A: No salt? Okay.
B: Thanks. I'm on a salt-free diet.
A: I'll make sure there's no salt on the fries.
Don't worry.
5.
A: Are you ready to order?
B: Yeah. I'm just going to have some dessert. I'll just have a piece of blueberry pie.
A: Fine. With ice cream?
B: No, just pie, thanks.
A: Fine.
B: But please don't heat it.
A: You want it cold?
B: Yes. I hate hot pie.
A: Okay.
6.
A: What can I get you?
B: I don't want anything to eat. Just a milkshake, please.
A: Sure. What flavor would you like?
B: Vanilla, please.
A: Okay. One vanilla milkshake coming up.
B: And please make sure they don't add any sugar to it.
A: No sugar?
B: That's right. I don't like sweet shakes.
A: Certainly.
Part 5
Pronunciation
Practice pronunciation
Reduction of want to
How we say it? => wanna
Listen and repeat.
1.
A: What do you want to eat?
B: I want to eat pizza.
2.
A: Where do you want to go?
B: I want to go to the Thai restaurant.
Practice more:
- I want to learn to play the guitar.
- We want to watch the new movie tonight.
- They want to visit the zoo this weekend.
- They want to go for a bike ride.
- Do you want to join us for lunch?
- I want to read the book you mentioned.
Part 6
Discussion
Let’s use the vocabulary you’ve learned during the lesson and talk about the following topics/questions freely!
Teacher helps student expand and correct the answers
How often do you eat out?
If you could have your own restaurant, what would you call it?
What do you think of fast food restaurants?
Do you prefer restaurants that are cheap and cheerful or very fancy?
Do you think you should tip the staff in restaurants?
What’s the most expensive meal you’ve had at a restaurant?
Would you like to eat at a different restaurant every night for the rest of your life? Why?
Sample answer
- I eat out about once a week. It's a nice break from cooking at home and gives me a chance to try different foods.
- If I had my own restaurant in Vietnam, I would call it "Savor Saigon." This name reflects the vibrant flavors and culture of one of Vietnam's most dynamic cities, promising an authentic and memorable dining experience.
- I think fast food restaurants are convenient, especially when I'm in a hurry. However, I try not to eat at them too often because they're not the healthiest option.
- I prefer restaurants that are cheap and cheerful. I enjoy a casual atmosphere where I can relax and have a good meal without spending too much money.
- Yes, I think it's important to tip the staff in restaurants. They work hard to provide good service, and tipping is a way to show appreciation for their effort.
- The most expensive meal I've had was at a seafood restaurant where I tried lobster for the first time. It was pricey but a very special treat.
- No, I wouldn't want to eat at a different restaurant every night. While I enjoy trying new places, I also love cooking at home and having some routine with my meals.
Review
Let’s review the lesson with teacher
6 words and phrases in the lesson
Pronounce reduction of want to
Talk about the restaurant & order food, describe the restaurant atmosphere.
See you next lesson
Homework
Do homework
In the future, if you want to open a restaurant, what type of restaurant do you plan to open? And what dishes are on the menu?
Write a paragraph (at least 100 words) sharing about that
