At the Restaurant: Booking a Table
In this lesson, you will practice booking a table at a restaurant by phone using polite and natural English. The conversation helps you learn how to ask about time, number of people, and seating options, and how to confirm a reservation.
Listen to the audio and answer the questions in the quiz below.
At the Restaurant: Booking a Table
Host: Good afternoon. Thank you for calling The Garden Restaurant. How may I help you today?
Customer: Good afternoon. I’d like to book a table for dinner, please.
Host: Of course. For which day would you like the reservation?
Customer: For this evening, if possible.
Host: Certainly. What time are you looking for?
Customer: Around seven thirty.
Host: Let me check availability… Yes, we do have a table available at seven thirty. How many people will be dining?
Customer: There will be two of us.
Host: Very good. May I have your name, please?
Customer: Yes, it’s John Smith.
Host: Thank you, Mr. Smith. Would you prefer a table indoors or outside on the patio?
Customer: Outside, please, if the weather is nice.
Host: Not a problem. We have heaters, so it will be comfortable.
Customer: That sounds perfect.
Host: Great. Your table for two is booked for today at seven thirty on the patio.
Customer: Excellent. Thank you for your help.
Host: You’re very welcome. We look forward to seeing you this evening.
Customer: See you later. Goodbye.
Host: Goodbye.
Vocabulary (from the text)
• Reservation – an arrangement to have a table at a restaurant at a specific time
• Confirm – to make sure something is correct or definite
• Available – ready to use or free
• Patio – an outside seating area at a restaurant or house
• Indoor – inside a building
• Heaters – devices that make a place warm
• Table for two – a dining table reserved for two people
• Follow me – a polite way to show someone where to go
• Polite – showing good manners and respect
• Afternoon / Evening – parts of the day
• Call / Phone – to contact someone by telephone
Useful Sentences / Takeaways (from the text)
1- Making Requests / Booking
I would like to book a table, please.
Can I make a reservation for tonight?
Could I have a table for two, please?
2- Asking for Details / Options
What time is available?
How many people will be dining?
Do you prefer indoors or outside on the patio?
3- Confirming Information
Can I have your name, please?
So that’s a table for two at seven thirty?
Your reservation is confirmed.
4- Polite Expressions / Responses
Thank you very much.
That sounds perfect.
You’re welcome.
5- Giving Information / Suggestions
We have heaters outside, so it will be comfortable.
You can choose a quiet table near the window.
Please follow me this way.