Hungry in Japan? In this A1-friendly guide, you’ll get the exact phrases you need to order smoothly at a restaurant. We’ll cover getting a table, asking for the menu, ordering food and drinks with 〜をください, asking for recommendations, and getting the bill. Short examples, clear grammar notes, and quick practice exercises are woven in so you can learn and use it right away.

Arriving and getting a table

When you walk in, staff usually greet you with いらっしゃいませ (Welcome!). A common first question is:

• 何名様ですか。 = How many in your party?

Answer with a number + です:

• ひとりです。 = One person.
• ふたりです。 = Two people.

If you need to call staff politely, say すみません (Excuse me). You can also request the menu:

• すみません、メニューをお願いします。 = Excuse me, the menu please.

、メニューをお願いします。

Ordering basics: 〜をください

This is your core pattern for ordering.

• 水をください。 = Water, please.
• カレーをください。 = Curry, please.
• コーヒーをお願いします。 = A coffee, please.

Pointing also works:

• これをください。 = This one, please.

水を。

Asking what’s recommended and what’s available

To ask for recommendations or availability, use 〜はありますか。

• おすすめはありますか。 = Do you have a recommendation?
• ベジタリアンのメニューはありますか。 = Is there a vegetarian menu?
• 辛くない料理はありますか。 = Do you have non-spicy dishes?

How many? Ordering quantities (A1 way)

At A1, the easiest way to say quantities for food/drink is using 〜つ counters:

• コーヒーを一つください。 = One coffee, please.
• コーヒーを二つください。 = Two coffees, please.
• ビールを三つください。 = Three beers, please. (For cans/glasses; specialized counters exist but 〜つ works for beginners.)

You can also say もう (more) for another:

• もう一つお願いします。 = One more, please.

コーヒーをください。

During the meal: small requests

• お水をもう少しお願いします。 = Some more water, please.
• 取り皿をお願いします。 = A small plate, please. (Optional vocab)
• ありがとうございます。 = Thank you.

Getting the bill

When you’re ready to pay, say:

• お会計をお願いします。 = The check, please.
• いっしょでお願いします。 = Together, please. (one bill)
• 別々でお願いします。 = Separately, please. (split the bill)

Many places accept paying at the register; staff may say レジでお願いします (Please pay at the register). Tipping isn’t customary in Japan.

水くださいを。 → 水をください。 Object comes before を. Say [item] を ください. メニューください。 → メニューをください。 In textbooks and polite speech, include を. (In casual speech, it’s often dropped, but keep を for A1.)

Mini-dialogue: Put the conversation in order

Practice a simple restaurant flow: greeting, seating, ordering.

Great! Now let’s check your understanding with a quick quiz.

Cultural notes

• No tipping: Service charge is included, and tipping is not customary.
• Water is usually free: お水は無料です. You might receive an おしぼり (wet towel) when seated.
• Be polite but simple: Short, clear requests with 〜をください / 〜をお願いします work perfectly.

Quick review

• Get attention: すみません。
• Order: [item] を ください / お願いします。
• Ask availability: 〜はありますか。
• Quantities (A1): 〜を一つ／二つください。
• Bill: お会計をお願いします。

You’ve got the essentials. Next time you eat out, try one new phrase from this lesson. いってらっしゃい！