How to Read a Restaurant Menu in English
ESL Lesson PlansHow to Read a Restaurant Menu in English

How to Read a Restaurant Menu in English

This A1–A2 ESL lesson helps adults develop practical English skills for real-life dining situations by learning how to read and understand a restaurant menu in English. Teachers can guide students through essential food and restaurant vocabulary, including starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts, while practicing ordering food through model dialogues and role-play. The lesson focuses on reading comprehension, functional speaking, and everyday communication in restaurants.

Skills

  • Can ask for food and drink using basic expressions.
  • Can order a meal.
Online Interactive
Based on CEFR
Fully Customizable
1

Listen to the dialogue. What are the friends going to order? Practice reading the dialogue out loud with your teacher.

00:27
M
Mike
Hey, Anna. What do you want to order?
A
Anna
I think I'll start with a salad as a starter.
M
Mike
Good choice! I want the soup for my starter.
A
Anna
What's today's special, by the way?
M
Mike
It's grilled chicken served with rice and vegetables.
A
Anna
That sounds nice! I might get that for my main dish.
M
Mike
I'm going for the burger. It comes with fries.
A
Anna
Do you wanna share a side dish?
M
Mike
Sure! Let's get some onion rings.
A
Anna
Perfect! And what about dessert?
M
Mike
We should try the chocolate cake.
A
Anna
Yes! I love desserts!
2

Match the words and phrases to the definitions.

3

Match the dishes to the categories.

4

Unscramble the words to make sentences.

5

Read the menu. What would you like to order? Practice having a conversation with your tutor. Try to use the words and phrases from the lesson.

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