If you’re planning on dining out in a Russian-speaking country, you don’t want to miss this lesson! Rocket Russian will teach you everything you need to know – just listen to the pronunciation and practice saying these Russian words and phrases aloud. When you’re ready, why not try them out at a local Russian-speaking restaurant!
Russian food is renowned as being among the best in the world. So what would you like to start with…? Vegetarian? Not what you ordered? No problem! After this lesson you’ll be ordering from the menu in Russian like a pro, and impressing your Russian-speaking friends with your language skills.
So let’s get started on dining in Russian…
Resources for further reading:
After being greeted you could get asked one of the following questions…
Rocket Record lets you perfect your Russian pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
Вы будете сначала заказывать напитки?
Vy booditi snachala zakazyvat’ napeetki?
Would you like to order some drinks to start with?
Вы уже выбрали?
Vy uzhe vybrali?
Have you already made your selection?
Что вы будете заказывать?
Shto vy booditi zakazyvat’?
What would you like to order?
Вы будете закуски?
Vy booditi zakooski?
Would you like a starter?
Что вы хотите?
Shto vy hateeti?
What would you like?
Вы будете заказывать?
Vy booditi zakazyvat'?
Would you like to order?
Что вы будете есть?
Shto vy booditi est’?
What would you like to eat?
Sometimes all you might get asked is…
Пожалуйста?
Pazhalusta
Are you ready to order?
You could answer by saying one of these phrases…
Да, сейчас.
Da, sichas
One moment, please.
Сначала я хочу заказать какой-нибудь напиток.
Snachala ya hachoo zakazat’ kakoi-niboot’ napeetak
I'd like to order something to drink to start with.
Я ещë не знаю.
Ya ishcho ni znaiu
I don't know yet.
Not sure what you fancy eating? Just ask the waiter what he recommends…
Что вы посоветуете?
Shto vy pasavetuite?
What can you recommend?
Какое у вас блюдо дня?
Kakoe oo vas bliooda dnya?
What is the daily special?
Какой у вас суп дня?
Kakoi oo vas soop dnia?
What is the soup of the day?
Here are the names of some dishes and drinks that you might find on the menu…
Минеральная вода
Miniral’naia vada
Mineral water
Сок
Sok
Juice
Пиво
Peeva
Beer
Красное вино
Krasnae vino
Red wine
Белое вино
Belae vino
White wine
Шампанское
Shampanskae
Champagne
Закуски
Zakooski
Starter
Горячее
Garyachie
Main
Десерт
Disert
Dessert
Гарнир
Garneer
Side dish
Суп
Soop
Soup
Салат
Salat
Salad
Соус
Sous
Sauce
Овощи
Ovashchi
Vegetables
Картофель
Kartofil’
Potatoes
Рис
Rees
Rice
Мясо
Myasa
Meat
Лапша
Lapsha
Noodles
Свинина
Svineena
Pork
Курица
Kooritsa
Chicken
Говядина
Gavyadina
Beef
In order to get the dish you want, simply say…
Я хочу…
Ya hachoo...
I want…
Я буду…
Ya boodu...
I would like…
Once you finished your meal, you ask for the bill…
Счëт, пожалуйста
Shchot pazhalusta
The bill, please.
Я хочу оплатить счëт.
Ya hachoo aplateet’ shchot
I would like to pay, please.
In Russia the waiter or waitress will bring the bill to your table. If you are eating out with a group you might get asked whether you want to pay…
вместе
vmesti
together
Or...
отдельно
addel’na
separately
It is not really expected to tip in Russian restaurants – that service is already included in the bill. But if you really liked the service, a tip is usually 10% of the price, or more if you were really satisfied. Alternatively, you can ask them to keep the change. The word for tip is…
чаевые
chiivyee
Tip
That’s it for today’s lesson.
Here are a few recommended Russian lessons to try next!
До скорого! (da skorava)
Natalya Dubrov: Rocket Russian
Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities!