Lea how to greet guests and take reservations in English with polite expressions and essential customer service vocabulary.
EN: 📞 In this lesson, you’ll lea how to take reservations and greet customers at a restaurant with courtesy and professionalism.
ES: 📞 En esta lección aprenderás a tomar reservas y saludar a los clientes de forma cortés y profesional en inglés.
[Tablero] Grammar Focus: Polite Questions and Offers
- Do you have a reservation? → Closed question to check booking.
- Could I have your name, please? → Polite request.
- Would you like to wait at the bar? → Offering an option politely.
- May I help you? → Formal and polite offer.
- How many people in your party? → Asking about the group size.
Hostess: Good evening, welcome to La Terraza. Do you have a reservation?
Guest: Yes, it’s under the name García. For two people at 8:00 PM.
Hostess: Perfect. Please follow me to your table.
Guest: Thank you! It looks very nice in here.
Hostess: We’re glad you like it. Your server will be with you shortly.
Guest: Great. Could we have some water while we wait?
Hostess: Absolutely, I’ll bring it right away.
🗣️ Useful Phrases
- Welcome to [restaurant name], do you have a reservation?
- May I have your name, please?
- Your table is ready, please follow me.
- Would you like to wait or be seated at the bar?
- We’ll have a table ready in 10 minutes.
- Thank you for calling, how can I help you?
🗣️ Useful Vocabulary
| British English | American English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| booking | reservation | An arrangement to have a table at a specific time. |
| table for two | table for two | A table arranged for two people. |
| greeting | greeting | The words used to welcome someone. |
| su ame | last name | Family name used for booking. |
| queue | line | A group of people waiting to be seated. |
| timing | timing | The time for which a reservation is set. |
| walk-in | walk-in | A guest who comes without a reservation. |
| available | available | Free or ready to use. |
| host | host | Person who welcomes guests at the entrance. |
| greet | greet | To say hello in a polite way. |
| confirm | confirm | To check and approve a reservation. |
| party of four | party of four | A group of four guests. |
| reservation list | reservation list | List of guests who have booked tables. |
| time slot | time slot | A scheduled time for a reservation. |
| waiting time | waiting time | Time a guest needs to wait for a table. |
EN: 👏 Great job! Knowing how to greet guests and take reservations helps create a welcoming atmosphere from the start.
ES: 👏 ¡Buen trabajo! Saber saludar y tomar reservas ayuda a crear una experiencia acogedora desde el primer momento.
🎯 Match the Phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Do you have a reservation? | a. Pregunta si el cliente ha reservado mesa. |
| Please follow me | b. Indica que el cliente puede ir con el camarero. |
| Your table is ready | c. La mesa ya está preparada. |
| May I help you? | d. Ofrecimiento educado de asistencia. |
⚡ Quick Check Quiz
- What’s a polite way to ask about a reservation?
- a) You booked?
- b) Do you have a reservation?
- c) You here for dinner?
- How can you offer help at the front desk?
- a) What's up?
- b) Need something?
- c) May I help you?
🌍 Cultural Tip
EN: In English-speaking countries, guests expect to be greeted promptly and politely. Making eye contact and smiling are important signs of good service.
ES: En los países angloparlantes, los clientes esperan ser recibidos de forma rápida y cortés. El contacto visual y la sonrisa son señales importantes de buen servicio.
Reservations and Greetings Quiz
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