Whether you’re dining at a traditional restaurant or grabbing a bite at a café, knowing how to order food in Arabic will help you make the most of your culinary experience. Here’s a guide to essential phrases and vocabulary for ordering food in Arabic-speaking countries.
1. Basic Restaurant Vocabulary
Let’s start with some essential words related to restaurants and dining out:
- Restaurant: مطعم (mat‘am)
- Menu: قائمة الطعام (qaimat al-ta‘am)
- Waiter/Waitress: نادل (naadil) / نادلة (naadila)
- Table: طاولة (tawilah)
- Chair: كرسي (kursi)
- Bill/Check: فاتورة (fatoorah)
- Water: ماء (maa’)
- Tea: شاي (shai)
- Coffee: قهوة (qahwa)
- Appetizer: مقبلات (muqabbilat)
- Main course: الطبق الرئيسي (al-tabq al-ra’eesi)
- Dessert: حلوى (halwa)
2. Common Phrases to Order Food
Here are some common phrases to help you place an order at a restaurant:
- Can I have the menu, please?
هل يمكنني الحصول على القائمة، من فضلك؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-husool ‘ala al-qaimah, min fadlik?) - I’m ready to order.
أنا جاهز للطلب. (Ana jahiz lil-talab.) - I’d like to order [dish].
أود أن أطلب [dish]. (Awaddu an atlub [dish].) - What do you recommend?
ماذا تنصحني؟ (Mada tansahni?) - Can I get a vegetarian dish?
هل يمكنني الحصول على طبق نباتي؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-husool ‘ala tabq nabatee?) - I would like to have [dish].
أود أن أتناول [dish]. (Awaddu an atanaawal [dish].) - Can I have it without [ingredient]?
هل يمكنني تناوله بدون [ingredient]? (Hal yumkinuni tanawuluh bidun [ingredient]?)
3. Asking for the Bill
When you’re done with your meal, here are some phrases to ask for the bill:
- Can I have the bill, please?
هل يمكنني الحصول على الفاتورة؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-husool ‘ala al-fatoorah?) - How much do I owe?
كم يجب أن أدفع؟ (Kam yajibu an adfa‘?) - Is service included?
هل الخدمة مشمولة؟ (Hal al-khidmah mashmooleh?)
4. Phrases for Special Requests
If you have any special requests or dietary preferences, these phrases will come in handy:
- Can I have some more bread?
هل يمكنني الحصول على المزيد من الخبز؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-husool ‘ala al-mazeed min al-khubz?) - Do you have any vegetarian options?
هل لديكم خيارات نباتية؟ (Hal ladaykum khayarat nabateeyah?) - Can I have it spicy?
هل يمكنني الحصول عليها حارة؟ (Hal yumkinuni al-husool ‘alayha haarah?)
Conclusion
Knowing how to order food in Arabic will not only improve your experience in local restaurants, but it