The Big Idea
Use clear, specific words to explain your dietary needs and ask the kitchen to confirm the ingredients.
When we travel, food is one of the best parts of the experience.
But if you have a food allergy or a dietary restriction, it is important to be clear, polite, and specific.
You do not need complicated English. You need a few simple lines that tell the restaurant exactly what you can and cannot eat.
Explain an allergy clearly
- “I’m allergic to peanuts.”
- “Does this contain nuts?”
- “Is this cooked with shellfish?”
Explain a dietary restriction
- “I can’t eat dairy.”
- “I’m vegetarian.”
- “Do you have anything gluten-free?”
Ask for a change
- “Can this be made without cheese?”
- “Could I get this without dairy?”
- “Can this be made without nuts?”
Ask the kitchen to confirm
If the restriction is important, do not be afraid to ask the server to double-check.
- “Could you check with the kitchen, please?”
- “Could you confirm that this does not contain nuts?”
- “Could you ask the chef, please?”
Keep it simple and specific
The most important thing is clarity.
Say exactly what the problem is:
“I’m allergic to peanuts.”
Then ask exactly what you need to know:
“Does this contain nuts?”
That is real restaurant English.
Stop memorizing English. Start using it.
What food do you always have to ask about when you travel?
Ten phrases to practise
- What’s in this?
- Does this have ___ in it?
- I’m allergic to…
- I can’t eat…
- Is this vegetarian?
- Can you make it without ___?
- Can you check with the kitchen?
- Is it cooked with ___?
- Is this prepared separately?
- What would you recommend?
Use the Four Finger Rule
INGREDIENT → ALLERGY / RESTRICTION → CONFIRM → ORDER
“I’m allergic to” names an allergy. “I don’t like” describes a preference. Use the words that match your situation and ask staff to check anything they are unsure about. These phrases help communication; they do not guarantee that a dish is safe.
Put it together
“Does this have peanuts in it? I’m allergic to peanuts. Can you check with the kitchen?”
Your next conversation
Replace peanuts with the ingredient you need to ask about. Practise the question and the request to confirm separately.
THE FOUR FINGER RULE
Stop memorizing English.
Start using it.
52 weeks. 52 real-world missions.
US$52 once.
Keep Practising
English Lessons: Restaurant Power Words
AI-assisted illustrations used for learning.
