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Arabic at the Restaurant: Essential Words and Phrases for Beginners
Eating at a restaurant is one of the most common everyday situations where you can use Arabic. Whether you are traveling in an Arabic-speaking country, living in the Middle East, or visiting an Arabic restaurant, knowing a few useful expressions can make your experience easier and more enjoyable.
You do not need to speak Arabic fluently to order food or communicate with restaurant staff. By learning essential vocabulary related to menus, meals, drinks, prices, and payment, you can manage many restaurant situations with confidence.
In this guide, you will learn practical Arabic at the restaurant vocabulary, useful expressions, and simple dialogues for real-life communication.
Restaurant situations are an important part of learning Arabic for travel. Travelers may need Arabic when ordering food, asking about ingredients, paying the bill, and communicating with restaurant staff. For more practical language used in different travel situations, explore our Arabic for Travel guide.
Why Learn Arabic for Restaurant Situations?
Shopping vocabulary is useful in many everyday situations. You can use Arabic when you:
- Ask about the price of a product.
- Look for a particular item.
- Ask about colors and sizes.
- Compare different products.
- Bargain in traditional markets.
- Ask whether a product is available.
- Pay by cash or card.
- Request a receipt.
- Return or exchange an item.
Learning these expressions will help you communicate more naturally and understand what sellers say to you.
Essential Arabic Restaurant Vocabulary
Here are some common Arabic words related to restaurants and dining.
English | Arabic | Transliteration |
Restaurant | مَطْعَم | maṭʿam |
Café | مَقْهًى | maqhan |
Table | طَاوِلَة | ṭāwilah |
Chair | كُرْسِيّ | kursiyy |
Menu | قَائِمَة الطَّعَام | qāʾimat aṭ-ṭaʿām |
Meal | وَجْبَة | wajbah |
Food | طَعَام | ṭaʿām |
Dish | طَبَق | ṭabaq |
Appetizer | مُقَبِّلَات | muqabbilāt |
Main Course | طَبَق رَئِيسِيّ | ṭabaq raʾīsiyy |
Dessert | حَلْوَى | ḥalwā |
Drink | مَشْرُوب | mashrūb |
Water | مَاء | māʾ |
Juice | عَصِير | ʿaṣīr |
Tea | شَاي | shāy |
Coffee | قَهْوَة | qahwah |
Bread | خُبْز | khubz |
Rice | أَرُزّ | aruzz |
Chicken | دَجَاج | dajāj |
Meat | لَحْم | laḥm |
Fish | سَمَك | samak |
Vegetables | خُضْرَوَات | khuḍrawāt |
Bill | حِسَاب | ḥisāb |
Tip | بَقْشِيش | baqshīsh |
Reservation | حَجْز | ḥajz |
Waiter | نَادِل | nādil |
Waitress | نَادِلَة | nādilah |
Building a strong basic vocabulary makes it easier to learn specialized words for restaurants, food, and drinks. If you are developing your Arabic vocabulary from the beginning, explore our 3 guide for essential words and expressions used in everyday situations.
How to Ask for a Table in Arabic
When entering a restaurant, you may need to ask for a table.
1. A table for one, please.
طَاوِلَةٌ لِشَخْصٍ وَاحِدٍ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Ṭāwilah li-shakhṣin wāḥid, min faḍlik.
A table for one, please.
2. A table for two, please.
طَاوِلَةٌ لِشَخْصَيْنِ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Ṭāwilah li-shakhṣayn, min faḍlik.
A table for two, please.
3. Do you have a free table?
هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ طَاوِلَةٌ فَارِغَةٌ؟
Hal ʿindakum ṭāwilah fārighah?
Do you have a free table?
4. I have a reservation.
لَدَيَّ حَجْزٌ.
Ladayya ḥajz.
I have a reservation.
5. I would like to make a reservation.
أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَحْجُزَ طَاوِلَةً.
Urīdu an aḥjuz ṭāwilah.
I would like to reserve a table.
6. Is this seat available?
هَلْ هَذَا الْمَقْعَدُ مُتَاحٌ؟
Hal hādhā al-maqʿadu mutāḥ?
Is this seat available?
Numbers are useful in many restaurant situations, especially when talking about the number of people, prices, quantities, and times. To practise Arabic numbers in practical everyday situations, explore our Arabic Numbers for Beginners guide.
Useful Arabic Phrases for Asking for the Menu
The menu contains the food and drinks available at the restaurant.
May I have the menu, please?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَرَى قَائِمَةَ الطَّعَامِ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ؟
May I see the menu, please?
Can I have a menu?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ إِحْضَارُ قَائِمَةِ الطَّعَامِ؟
Can you bring the menu?
Do you have an English menu?
هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ قَائِمَةُ طَعَامٍ بِاللُّغَةِ الإِنْجِلِيزِيَّةِ؟
Do you have an English menu?
What do you recommend?
مَاذَا تَنْصَحُنِي أَنْ أَطْلُبَ؟
What do you recommend I order?
You can also say:
مَا الطَّبَقُ الَّذِي تَنْصَحُ بِهِ؟
Which dish do you recommend?
What is today’s special?
مَا وَجْبَةُ الْيَوْمِ؟
What is today’s special?
How to Order Food in Arabic
Ordering food is one of the most important restaurant skills.
1. I would like…
أُرِيدُ…
Urīdu…
I would like…
Examples:
- أُرِيدُ دَجَاجًا.
I would like chicken. - أُرِيدُ سَلَطَةً.
I would like a salad. - أُرِيدُ شُورْبَةً.
I would like soup. - أُرِيدُ قَهْوَةً.
I would like coffee.
2. I would like to order.
أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَطْلُبَ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
I would like to order, please.
3. I will have…
سَأَطْلُبُ…
Sa-aṭlub…
I will have…
Example:
سَأَطْلُبُ الدَّجَاجَ مَعَ الأَرُزِّ.
I will have chicken with rice.
4. I would like this dish.
أُرِيدُ هَذَا الطَّبَقَ.
I would like this dish.
5. Please bring me…
أَحْضِرْ لِي… مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Bring me…, please.
Examples:
- أَحْضِرْ لِي مَاءً، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Bring me some water, please. - أَحْضِرْ لِي قَهْوَةً، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Bring me coffee, please.
6. That is all, thank you.
هَذَا كُلُّ شَيْءٍ، شُكْرًا.
That is all, thank you.
Practising restaurant expressions through complete conversations can help learners use Arabic more naturally instead of memorizing individual words. To develop your speaking and listening skills through practical situations and real-life dialogues, explore our Arabic Conversation Course.
Arabic Vocabulary for Meals and Food
Here are some useful food-related words.
English | Arabic | Transliteration |
Breakfast | فُطُور | fuṭūr |
Lunch | غَدَاء | ghadāʾ |
Dinner | عَشَاء | ʿashāʾ |
Salad | سَلَطَة | salaṭah |
Soup | شُورْبَة | shūrbah |
Sandwich | شَطِيرَة | shaṭīrah |
Pizza | بِيتْزَا | bītzā |
Burger | بُرْجَر | burjar |
Pasta | مَعْكَرُونَة | maʿkarūnah |
Rice | أَرُزّ | aruzz |
Potato | بَطَاطِس | baṭāṭis |
Chicken | دَجَاج | dajāj |
Beef | لَحْم بَقَرِيّ | laḥm baqariyy |
Lamb | لَحْم ضَأْن | laḥm ḍaʾn |
Fish | سَمَك | samak |
Shrimp | رُوبِيَان | rūbiyān |
Egg | بَيْضَة | bayḍah |
Cheese | جُبْن | jubn |
Fruit | فَاكِهَة | fākihah |
Cake | كَعْكَة | kaʿkah |
Ice Cream | مَثَلَّجَات | mathallajāt |
How to Ask About Ingredients
If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or personal preferences, it is important to ask about ingredients.
What are the ingredients?
مَا مُكَوِّنَاتُ هَذَا الطَّبَقِ؟
What are the ingredients of this dish?
Does this dish contain meat?
هَلْ يَحْتَوِي هَذَا الطَّبَقُ عَلَى اللَّحْمِ؟
Does this dish contain meat?
Does it contain chicken?
هَلْ يَحْتَوِي عَلَى الدَّجَاجِ؟
Does it contain chicken?
Does it contain nuts?
هَلْ يَحْتَوِي عَلَى الْمُكَسَّرَاتِ؟
Does it contain nuts?
Is this dish spicy?
هَلْ هَذَا الطَّبَقُ حَارٌّ؟
Is this dish spicy?
I do not eat meat.
أَنَا لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ.
I do not eat meat.
I am vegetarian.
أَنَا نَبَاتِيٌّ.
I am vegetarian.
For a female speaker:
أَنَا نَبَاتِيَّةٌ.
I do not eat seafood.
أَنَا لَا آكُلُ الْمَأْكُولَاتِ الْبَحْرِيَّةَ.
I do not eat seafood.
I am allergic to nuts.
لَدَيَّ حَسَاسِيَّةٌ مِنَ الْمُكَسَّرَاتِ.
I am allergic to nuts.
Without onions, please.
بِدُونِ بَصَلٍ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Without onions, please.
Without sugar, please.
بِدُونِ سُكَّرٍ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Without sugar, please.
Not too spicy, please.
لَيْسَ حَارًّا جِدًّا، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Not too spicy, please.
Asking questions, making requests, and explaining your preferences are useful communication skills beyond the restaurant. To learn more practical Arabic expressions for common everyday situations, explore our Arabic for Daily Life guide.
Arabic Words for Drinks
Drinks are an important part of ordering at a restaurant or café.
English | Arabic | Transliteration |
Water | مَاء | māʾ |
Sparkling Water | مَاء غَازِيّ | māʾ ghāziyy |
Still Water | مَاء عَادِيّ | māʾ ʿādiyy |
Juice | عَصِير | ʿaṣīr |
Orange Juice | عَصِير بُرْتُقَال | ʿaṣīr burtuqāl |
Lemonade | عَصِير لَيْمُون | ʿaṣīr laymūn |
Tea | شَاي | shāy |
Coffee | قَهْوَة | qahwah |
Arabic Coffee | قَهْوَة عَرَبِيَّة | qahwah ʿarabiyyah |
Milk | حَلِيب | ḥalīb |
Soft Drink | مَشْرُوب غَازِيّ | mashrūb ghāziyy |
Hot Chocolate | شُوكُولَاتَة سَاخِنَة | shūkūlāta sākh inah |
Useful Drink Expressions
أُرِيدُ كَأْسًا مِنَ الْمَاءِ.
I would like a glass of water.
أُرِيدُ شَايًا بِالنَّعْنَاعِ.
I would like mint tea.
أُرِيدُ قَهْوَةً بِدُونِ سُكَّرٍ.
I would like coffee without sugar.
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الْحُصُولُ عَلَى مَاءٍ بَارِدٍ؟
Can I have cold water?
How to Ask About Prices
You may want to know the price before ordering.
How much is this dish?
بِكَمْ هَذَا الطَّبَقُ؟
How much is this dish?
How much is the meal?
كَمْ سِعْرُ الْوَجْبَةِ؟
How much is the meal?
Is the service included?
هَلْ رَسْمُ الْخِدْمَةِ مُشْمَلٌ؟
Is the service charge included?
Is tax included?
هَلْ الضَّرِيبَةُ مُشْمَلَةٌ؟
Is tax included?
Is there a set meal?
هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ وَجْبَةٌ مُتَكَامِلَةٌ؟
Do you have a set meal?
Asking about prices is an essential communication skill that is also useful when shopping in Arabic-speaking countries. To learn practical expressions for asking about prices, products, discounts, payment, and shopping situations, explore our Arabic for Shopping guide.
Arabic Phrases for Asking for the Bill
When you finish eating, you will need to ask for the bill.
1. The bill, please.
الْحِسَابُ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
The bill, please.
This is one of the most common expressions used in restaurants.
2. Can we have the bill?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنَا الْحُصُولُ عَلَى الْحِسَابِ؟
Can we have the bill?
3. I would like to pay.
أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ.
I would like to pay.
4. Can I pay by card?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الدَّفْعُ بِالْبِطَاقَةِ؟
Can I pay by card?
5. Do you accept cash?
هَلْ تَقْبَلُونَ الدَّفْعَ نَقْدًا؟
Do you accept cash?
6. Keep the change.
اِحْتَفِظْ بِالْبَاقِي.
Keep the change.
7. Thank you. The food was delicious.
شُكْرًا، كَانَ الطَّعَامُ لَذِيذًا.
Thank you. The food was delicious.
A Simple Arabic Restaurant Dialogue
Here is a practical conversation between a customer and a waiter.
At a Restaurant
Waiter: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ. أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا.
Hello. Welcome.
Customer: وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ. هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ طَاوِلَةٌ لِشَخْصَيْنِ؟
Hello. Do you have a table for two?
Waiter: نَعَمْ، تَفَضَّلَا.
Yes, please come this way.
Customer: هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي رُؤْيَةُ قَائِمَةِ الطَّعَامِ؟
May I see the menu?
Waiter: بِالطَّبْعِ، تَفَضَّلْ.
Of course, here you are.
Customer: مَاذَا تَنْصَحُنِي أَنْ أَطْلُبَ؟
What do you recommend I order?
Waiter: أَنْصَحُكَ بِالدَّجَاجِ مَعَ الأَرُزِّ.
I recommend chicken with rice.
Customer: هَلْ هَذَا الطَّبَقُ حَارٌّ؟
Is this dish spicy?
Waiter: لَا، لَيْسَ حَارًّا جِدًّا.
No, it is not very spicy.
Customer: جَيِّدٌ. أُرِيدُ هَذَا الطَّبَقَ، وَكَأْسًا مِنَ الْمَاءِ.
Good. I would like this dish and a glass of water.
Waiter: هَلْ تُرِيدُ شَيْئًا آخَرَ؟
Would you like anything else?
Customer: لَا، شُكْرًا.
No, thank you.
Later:
Customer: الْحِسَابُ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
The bill, please.
Waiter: تَفَضَّلْ.
Here you are.
Customer: هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الدَّفْعُ بِالْبِطَاقَةِ؟
Can I pay by card?
Waiter: نَعَمْ، بِالطَّبْعِ.
Yes, of course.
Complete restaurant dialogues are a useful way for beginners to practise questions, answers, requests, and polite expressions in context. If you are new to Arabic, explore our Arabic Conversation for Beginners guide for more simple dialogues and everyday communication practice.
Useful Arabic Expressions for Cafés
Cafés are common places to practice Arabic, especially when ordering coffee, tea, or a light snack.
I would like a cup of coffee.
أُرِيدُ فِنْجَانَ قَهْوَةٍ.
I would like a cup of coffee.
I would like tea with milk.
أُرِيدُ شَايًا بِالْحَلِيبِ.
I would like tea with milk.
I would like a cold drink.
أُرِيدُ مَشْرُوبًا بَارِدًا.
I would like a cold drink.
Do you have fresh juice?
هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ عَصِيرٌ طَازَجٌ؟
Do you have fresh juice?
Can I have a piece of cake?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الْحُصُولُ عَلَى قِطْعَةِ كَعْكٍ؟
Can I have a piece of cake?
Is there Wi-Fi?
هَلْ تُوجَدُ شَبَكَةُ وَاي فَاي؟
Is there Wi-Fi?
Can I sit here?
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الْجُلُوسُ هُنَا؟
Can I sit here?
Restaurant Etiquette in Arabic-Speaking Countries
Restaurant customs can vary from one Arabic-speaking country to another. However, the following practices are generally helpful:
1. Use polite greetings
Start with:
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
Peace be upon you / Hello.
You can also say:
مَرْحَبًا
Hello.
2. Use polite requests
Use:
- مِنْ فَضْلِكَ — Please, when speaking to a male.
- مِنْ فَضْلِكِ — Please, when speaking to a female.
- شُكْرًا — Thank you.
- لَوْ سَمَحْتَ — Please, when speaking to a male.
- لَوْ سَمَحْتِ — Please, when speaking to a female.
3. Be patient
In busy restaurants, food may take some time to arrive. You can politely ask:
مَتَى سَيَصِلُ الطَّعَامُ؟
When will the food arrive?
4. Ask before making special requests
If you need a change to your meal, ask politely:
هَلْ يُمْكِنُ تَغْيِيرُ هَذَا الْمُكَوِّنِ؟
Can this ingredient be changed?
5. Check the bill
Before paying, you can ask:
هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ شَرْحُ هَذَا الْحِسَابِ؟
Could you explain this bill?
Modern Standard Arabic provides a useful foundation for understanding formal and widely shared Arabic across different countries. To develop your reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills, explore our Modern Standard Arabic Course.
Tips for Learning Arabic Restaurant Phrases
1. Memorize complete expressions
Learning complete phrases is often more useful than memorizing individual words. For example, practice:
الْحِسَابُ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Instead of learning only the word حِسَاب.
2. Practice food vocabulary
Start with food you commonly eat, such as rice, chicken, bread, vegetables, coffee, and tea.
3. Practice ordering aloud
Imagine that you are sitting in a restaurant. Practice ordering a meal, asking about ingredients, and requesting the bill.
4. Learn numbers and prices
Numbers are essential when understanding the cost of food and drinks. Review Arabic numbers from 1 to 100.
5. Listen to different Arabic dialects
Restaurant expressions may vary across countries. Modern Standard Arabic is widely understood, but everyday speech may be different in Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, or other Arabic-speaking regions.
6. Use Arabic whenever possible
Even if you know only a few words, try to use them. Simple expressions such as شُكْرًا, مِنْ فَضْلِكَ, and الْحِسَابُ can help you gain confidence.
Restaurant expressions and pronunciation can vary depending on the country and local speech. To become more familiar with regional Arabic varieties and everyday expressions, explore our Arabic Dialects Course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “The bill, please” in Arabic?
You can say:
الْحِسَابُ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
Al-ḥisāb, min faḍlik.
This is a common expression used to request the bill.
How do you say “I would like to order” in Arabic?
Say:
أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَطْلُبَ.
Urīdu an aṭlub.
You can then mention the food or drink you want.
How do you ask for the menu in Arabic?
You can say:
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَرَى قَائِمَةَ الطَّعَامِ؟
May I see the menu?
How do you ask if food is spicy in Arabic?
Say:
هَلْ هَذَا الطَّبَقُ حَارٌّ؟
Is this dish spicy?
How do you say “I do not eat meat” in Arabic?
Say:
أَنَا لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ.
I do not eat meat.
How do you ask for water in Arabic?
You can say:
أُرِيدُ مَاءً، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
I would like some water, please.
How do you say “Can I pay by card?” in Arabic?
Say:
هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الدَّفْعُ بِالْبِطَاقَةِ؟
Can I pay by card?
If you are completely new to Arabic, it can be helpful to build a basic foundation before focusing on specific situations such as restaurants. Our Arabic for Beginners course introduces essential vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, reading, writing, and basic communication step by step.
Conclusion
Learning Arabic for restaurant situations gives you practical language skills that you can use immediately. By practicing restaurant vocabulary, ordering expressions, ingredient questions, drink names, and payment phrases, you will become more comfortable eating out in Arabic-speaking environments.
Start with a few essential expressions, such as أُرِيدُ…, هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ…؟, مَاذَا تَنْصَحُنِي؟, and الْحِسَابُ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ. With regular practice, you will be able to order food, ask questions, and communicate more confidently.
If you want to continue learning Arabic through practical lessons and real-life situations, explore our Learn Arabic Online programs and choose a course that matches your level and learning goals.
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