How to order at a café in English
Can I get a coffee to go, please?
“I want a coffee to take with me, please.”
When: Saying your order at the counter
The moment
You walk into a busy coffee shop in New York City and want to order a coffee and a bagel at the counter.
A1 · Unit 2 · Café & food
The lines
Ordering politely
Americans often order with "Can I get...?" It is friendly and polite. Add "please" at the end. Say "to go" if you want to take it with you.
Can I get a coffee to go, please?
“I want a coffee to take with me, please.”
When to use it: Saying your order at the counter
What you’ll hear back: Sure thing! Anything else? (Yes, of course. Do you want more?)
Paying at the counter
To pay with a card, ask "Can I pay with card?" The screen may ask you for a tip. A tip is extra money for the staff. At a café it is your choice.
Can I pay with card?
“Can I pay with a credit card?”
When to use it: When you are ready to pay
What you’ll hear back: Yep, just tap right here. That's $6.50.
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Can I get a coffee to go? | kan-ai GEH-duh KAW-fee tuh GO | I want a coffee to take away with me. |
Hi! Can I get a coffee to go, please? Hello! I want a coffee to take with me, please. Tip: "Can I get..." works for anything: a bagel, a water, a muffin. | ||
| for here or to go? | fer HEER er tuh GO | Do you want to eat here, or take it with you? |
Is that for here or to go? Will you eat it here, or take it away? Tip: Staff ask this all the time. Answer "for here" or "to go". | ||
| the check | thuh CHEK | the paper that shows how much to pay |
Could we get the check, please? Please bring us the bill. Tip: Americans say "check", not "bill". At a table, leave about a 20% tip. | ||
Your objective
Order a drink and say how you’d like it, then ask how much it is or ask for the bill.
- a drink
- how you’d like it
- the price or the bill
Lines that get it done
- Can I get a coffee to go, please?
- Can I get a coffee to go? · I want a coffee to take away with me.
- Could we get the check, please? · Please bring us the bill.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. What do you say to order a coffee politely at the counter?
- Can I get a coffee, please?
- Give coffee now.
- Me coffee.
- Coffee. Fast.
Show the answer
Can I get a coffee, please?
"Can I get... please?" is the natural, polite way to order.
2. The barista asks "For here or to go?" What do they mean?
- Will you drink it here or take it away?
- Do you want it hot or cold?
- Do you want a big or small cup?
- Will you pay now or later?
Show the answer
Will you drink it here or take it away?
"For here" means you stay. "To go" means you take it with you.
3. You finished eating at a table. What do you ask the server for?
- The check
- The ticket
- The receipt card
- The menu
Show the answer
The check
In the US, "the check" is the paper you pay at a restaurant.