Easy English Listening Practice for Beginners | Can I Order Food? | A1 A2 English Story

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:02]My feet are really tired now.

[00:00:05]>> Yes, we walked so much today. But I'm so happy. This city is amazing.

[00:00:12]>> Look at all these restaurants. They smell good.

[00:00:16]>> I can smell garlic and lemon from here.

[00:00:20]>> We need to eat dinner now. We're hungry.

[00:00:23]>> There are so many places to choose from.

[00:00:27]That one looks busy. So many people.

[00:00:31]>> A full restaurant is usually a good sign. Tom, >> the food must be good if everyone eats there.

[00:00:37]>> So, we just go inside and sit down.

[00:00:40]>> Should we call first? Make a reservation. That's a smart question, Tom.

[00:00:47]>> Yes. Many restaurants need reservations when busy.

[00:00:52]>> What does reservation mean exactly? Um, >> it means we called ahead so they'd hold a table for us.

[00:00:59]>> Wait, Maya, I know a shortcut. We just cut through this alley and it saves us like 5 minutes.

[00:01:04]>> Really? Are you sure?

[00:01:05]>> Trust me, I timed it yesterday. A reservation is when you call before >> and then what happens?

[00:01:15]>> You tell them your name and how many.

[00:01:18]>> The restaurant keeps a table for you.

[00:01:21]Oh, so they save a table for us.

[00:01:25]>> Yes, you sit down right away.

[00:01:29]>> Very good explanation, Tom.

[00:01:31]>> Huh?

[00:01:34]>> We don't do that at home.

[00:01:36]>> Different countries have different eating ways, >> even without a reservation.

[00:01:41]>> Let's try. We might be lucky.

[00:01:43]>> Wow, look how bright it is. I wonder if they have pizza.

[00:01:49]Wow, it's so busy in here.

[00:01:54]>> So many people. So much noise.

[00:02:00]>> It smells wonderful, doesn't it?

[00:02:03]>> I can smell fish and herbs.

[00:02:06]>> My stomach is making sounds now.

[00:02:10]>> Mine, too. I'm really hungry.

[00:02:13]>> Good evening.

[00:02:15]Do you have a table for four? Small table near window. 10 minutes.

[00:02:21]>> That's >> That's great. Thank you so much.

[00:02:23]>> We got a table.

[00:02:26]We didn't even call.

[00:02:29]>> We were lucky.

[00:02:31]Sometimes luck comes when you ask.

[00:02:36]>> Right this way.

[00:02:37]>> Thank you.

[00:02:40]>> Wow, this looks great.

[00:02:42]>> I'm starving.

[00:02:43]>> Here we are. A real restaurant dinner.

[00:02:48]>> I've never done this before. It's fun, right?

[00:02:52]>> Yes, it's exciting.

[00:02:56]>> Here are your menus and some fresh bread while you decide.

[00:03:00]>> Wow, the bread looks amazing. I'm so hungry.

[00:03:06]>> Why are there so many forks?

[00:03:12]>> I don't know. That's strange.

[00:03:15]>> That's great. Let me explain.

[00:03:19]In western restaurants, a meal has many has many courses.

[00:03:25]>> First, you eat an appetizer.

[00:03:27]>> Mhm.

[00:03:28]>> A small dish. Then you eat main course, the big dish.

[00:03:34]>> Finally, you eat dessert, something sweet. Three different meals.

[00:03:41]Not big meals, but three different courses.

[00:03:45]>> Each course uses different forks and spoons.

[00:03:50]>> Oh. Oh. So each fork So each fork is for different. That makes sense.

[00:03:58]>> Yes. It helps you understand better.

[00:04:01]>> It's tradition and it shows respect. H when you understand these things, you feel more confident. I feel more confident already.

[00:04:12]The forks are kind of beautiful, actually.

[00:04:19]You're right. They shine.

[00:04:30]>> I think I want the steak. It says it's tender and juicy.

[00:04:34]>> Ah, good choice. The fish looks fresh here, too.

[00:04:38]>> Maya, look at this fish with lemon and cream sauce.

[00:04:43]>> It looks interesting. Tell me about it.

[00:04:45]It's fresh. I think that means it's newly caught, right, Dad?

[00:04:49]>> Yes, Tom. Fresh means new and good quality.

[00:04:53]>> And it's grilled. That means cooked on a very hot grill.

[00:04:58]>> The lemon makes it sour and bright.

[00:05:01]>> The cream makes it smooth and soft.

[00:05:04]Fresh, sour, and creamy. That sounds delicious.

[00:05:09]>> Those are great words, Tom.

[00:05:11]>> Huh?

[00:05:13]>> How did you know all of that? I read it and I imagined eating it.

[00:05:19]>> That's exactly right, Tom. Imagination helps with language.

[00:05:23]>> I want to order the fish now.

[00:05:25]>> Good. You're learning food words already.

[00:05:28]>> And it sounds so tasty when you describe it. Words are better when they're about real things.

[00:05:35]>> Excuse me. Could Maya get the pasta primma vera without the sauce? And Tom would like the chicken fingers. I'll start with the avocado toast, please.

[00:05:43]And then the roasted chicken, no olives.

[00:05:46]For the children, the spaghetti bolognese.

[00:05:49]>> It's so nice to have a quiet dinner together.

[00:05:52]>> Absolutely.

[00:05:54]>> How are you two doing over there?

[00:05:56]>> We're great, Dad.

[00:05:57]>> Everyone here looks happy.

[00:06:00]Yes. Food brings people together.

[00:06:04]>> When you travel, you learn through many things.

[00:06:10]>> Like what?

[00:06:11]>> You see new buildings. You walk new streets, but you also learn through food and eating.

[00:06:19]>> Every dish tells a story about a place.

[00:06:22]>> The food shows the culture and traditions.

[00:06:26]>> It shows how people here live and what they value. So, the fish tells a story.

[00:06:32]>> Yes, it tells a story about the sea near here.

[00:06:36]>> It tells about the farmers who grew the lemon.

[00:06:40]>> H I never thought about food that way.

[00:06:44]>> Most people don't, but it's true.

[00:06:48]>> So, dinner is not just eating, it's learning.

[00:06:52]>> Exactly, Maya. You're understanding something important.

[00:06:56]Travel is about growing and learning new things, just seeing new places. Neutro, >> right? Every experience teaches you something.

[00:07:15]>> I like that idea.

[00:07:19]>> Me, too. It makes everything feel special.

[00:07:22]>> That steak looks perfect. Thank you so much. And the fish looks delicious, too.

[00:07:28]>> Well, let's dig in, everyone.

[00:07:30]>> Enjoy your meal.

[00:07:31]>> Thank you.

[00:07:33]>> This looks absolutely magnificent, honey. I can't wait to try that steak.

[00:07:38]>> Thank you. Please, everyone, dig in while it's warm. Oh my goodness. It looks so beautiful.

[00:07:46]>> Look at those colors.

[00:07:48]>> Yellow, golden, pink.

[00:07:51]It's almost too pretty to eat.

[00:07:54]>> Almost.

[00:08:00]>> They looked more like abstract art than a face.

[00:08:03]>> But we're hungry, so we eat.

[00:08:09]>> M. This is wonderful. You've outdone yourself again.

[00:08:13]>> I'm glad you like it.

[00:08:15]>> It's so good.

[00:08:18]>> Wait, which fork do we use?

[00:08:21]Start from the outside fork, the smallest one. Then move to the next fork for the main course.

[00:08:28]>> I remember from before. That's smart.

[00:08:33]Wow, this is amazing.

[00:08:36]>> Honey, you outdid yourself.

[00:08:38]>> It's the best dinner ever.

[00:08:40]>> Oh, this is so fresh and sour.

[00:08:46]>> I taste the lemon.

[00:08:48]>> The cream is smooth. Very smooth.

[00:08:53]>> My steak is tender and delicious.

[00:08:59]>> Delicious.

[00:09:01]That's the word.

[00:09:05]>> This spaghetti turned out perfectly, didn't it?

[00:09:08]>> It really did. Best dinner we've had in a while.

[00:09:12]>> My fish is very fresh and creamy.

[00:09:15]>> Mhm.

[00:09:17]>> Tell us more. Use more words.

[00:09:20]>> The lemon is sour and bright. It makes the fish taste better.

[00:09:26]>> Those are perfect descriptions, Maya.

[00:09:28]>> The flavors work together. Sour, creamy, fresh. Hum.

[00:09:34]>> Tom, your chicken looks tender, too.

[00:09:36]>> It is. Want to try?

[00:09:38]>> Yes. Can I take a small piece?

[00:09:44]>> M.

[00:09:46]This is delicious, too.

[00:09:49]You're using English words about food now.

[00:09:52]>> I know. I learned them tonight.

[00:09:58]>> And you're not learning from a book.

[00:10:01]>> You're learning from real experience.

[00:10:04]>> That's true.

[00:10:06]I taste the words now.

[00:10:08]That's the best way to learn.

[00:10:11]>> Yes. Real life is the best classroom.

[00:10:16]I'm going to remember this food forever.

[00:10:21]>> And you'll remember the words, too.

[00:10:24]>> Are you sure you don't want the last piece of pie, dear?

[00:10:27]>> No, you go ahead. I couldn't eat another bite.

[00:10:30]>> I'll take it if you don't want it.

[00:10:32]>> How was everything this evening?

[00:10:34]>> That was perhaps the best meal we have ever had here. Simply divine. We are stuffed. Would you like anything else?

[00:10:42]Dessert?

[00:10:44]>> No, thank you. We're very full.

[00:10:48]>> The meal was delicious. Thank you, >> Mom. Dad, >> should we leave a tip?

[00:10:57]>> That's a good question, Tom.

[00:11:00]>> Yes. In Western countries, we leave tips.

[00:11:04]>> What's a tip?

[00:11:08]>> A tip is extra money. You give it to the server.

[00:11:12]>> It's a way to say thank you for good service.

[00:11:16]How much do we give?

[00:11:20]>> Usually between 10 and 20%.

[00:11:24]>> It depends on how good the service was.

[00:11:29]>> Our server was very nice.

[00:11:31]>> Yes, he was kind and quick.

[00:11:36]>> I >> Then we should leave a good tip.

[00:11:40]>> Why do we give tips here but not at home?

[00:11:44]Different countries have different customs.

[00:11:48]In many western places, tips are very important.

[00:11:52]>> It shows respect for the worker's hard work. H >> it's a way to be kind.

[00:11:58]>> H why?

[00:12:00]>> I like that idea. Being kind with money.

[00:12:04]>> Uh it says something good about who you are.

[00:12:08]>> Exactly. Generosity shows your character there. That's our way of saying thank you.

[00:12:16]>> The server will be happy.

[00:12:20]>> We made him happy with money.

[00:12:25]>> We made him happy by respecting his work.

[00:12:32]>> That was a fantastic dinner. I'm stuffed.

[00:12:35]>> It was absolutely lovely.

[00:12:37]>> Can we go now, Dad? I'm ready for the movie.

[00:12:42]Mom, I learned so many things tonight.

[00:12:46]>> What did you learn? I learned about reservations, how restaurants hold tables, and I learned about forks and courses.

[00:12:56]>> You learned food words, too.

[00:12:58]>> Yes. Fresh, creamy, sour, delicious.

[00:13:05]>> What else?

[00:13:08]I learned that western restaurants are different from home >> and that tips show kindness and respect.

[00:13:17]>> Those are wonderful things to learn.

[00:13:22]>> But the best part wasn't the learning.

[00:13:28]>> The best part was doing it with all of you.

[00:13:32]>> That's sweet, Maya.

[00:13:37]That's what makes memories special.

[00:13:41]>> Sharing experiences with people you love.

[00:13:45]>> I'll remember this dinner forever.

[00:13:48]>> And you'll remember the words forever >> because they're connected to real moments.

[00:13:57]>> Real moments are the best teachers.

[00:14:00]>> That dinner was delicious.

[00:14:03]>> It really was. Are you kids ready for dessert?

[00:14:06]>> Yes. Ice cream sounds great.

[00:14:08]>> It feels good to be here with all of you.

[00:14:11]>> It really does. I'm so grateful for this moment.

[00:14:17]>> Tonight was special, wasn't it?

[00:14:21]>> So special and fun.

[00:14:25]>> You were brave tonight, Maya. Trying new things. I was a little nervous at first, >> but you did great. You asked questions.

[00:14:36]>> And you helped me learn, Tom. Thank you.

[00:14:41]That's what big brothers do.

[00:14:44]>> Every meal is a story. Every meal is a memory.

[00:14:49]>> And every moment with family is precious.

[00:14:56]I understand that now.

[00:15:00]>> When you travel and eat with people you love, >> that's when the real learning happens >> in your heart and in your mind.

[00:15:12]Food brings people together.

[00:15:17]I finally understand.

[00:15:21]And it teaches us new words, too.

[00:15:29]and new ways of thinking.

[00:15:36]>> We finally made it. It looks beautiful.

[00:15:39]>> It does. I'm so glad we're here together.

[00:15:42]>> Wow, look at the lights.

[00:15:44]>> Come on, let's go rest. Tomorrow is another adventure >> and maybe another delicious meal >> with more new words to learn.

[00:15:55]>> I can't wait.

[00:16:00]>> Wow, this hotel looks incredible.

[00:16:03]>> We finally made it, buddy.

[00:16:05]>> I can't wait to see the room.