How to Order Coffee in English

By ArnelOn September 13, 2023September 13, 2023

Today’s blog is about how to order coffee in English. As you may already know, I LOVE coffee! And I know that many of my students do as well. So, I’ve put together some vocabulary and phrases to help you feel at ease when ordering coffee in English, whether you are at Starbucks in an airport, or a small independent coffee shop in an English-speaking city or town. Let’s get started!

Step 1. Browsing the menu

I have made a list of common items you may see on the menu at a coffee shop.

Espresso: Small shot of strong coffee served in a small cup
Americano: An espresso with hot water added
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk topped with foamed milk on the surface
Latte: Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk
Macchiato: Espresso with a very small amount of steamed milk
Mocha: A latte with a little chocolate syrup added
Doppio or Double: Two shots of espresso
Filter Coffee: Hot or boiling water poured over coffee grounds

In the summer you may prefer to order an iced coffee or an iced latte where the hot coffee is poured over a lot of ice and served in a glass. There is also a drink called a Frappuccino where coffee, milk and ice are blended and topped with whipped cream and your favourite sauce.

Step 2. Choosing your size and choice of milk

Once you’ve made your choice of coffee, you will need to decide what size you would like. Below is a simple list of sizes. Included in this list are tall, grande and venti. These are the size types you will encounter if you go into a Starbucks.

Sizes:

Small (Tall)
Medium (Grande)
Large (Venti)
1 shot or single shot
2 shots or double

Last but not least, if you have ordered a coffee that contains milk or anything sweet, you will be asked what your preference is. Below are the common choices.

Milk and syrup:

Semi skimmed milk or 2% milk
Whole milk or full fat milk
Skimmed milk or skinny milk
Almond milk (milk made from almonds)
Soy milk (milk made from soybeans)
Hazelnut syrup
Vanilla syrup
Chocolate syrup

Step 3. Placing your order

Okay, you’ve made your choice of coffee and you’re ready to order! Below are some common questions you may hear from the barista, with some example phrases of how to order.

Common questions you may hear:

Who’s next please?
Can I help you?
Can I help whoever is next?
What can I get you? (This means: What would you like?)
“Drink in” or “takeaway”?/ Is that for here or to go? (UK/US)
What can I do for you?
What’ll it be?
What are you having?
What size would you like?

Example phrases to help you order your coffee:

Hi, can I get a small americano to take away/to go please? (UK/US)
I’ll have a large mocha to drink in/for here please? (UK/US)
Could I get a decaf cappuccino please?
I’d like a double espresso please.

Step 4. Example dialogues for you to practice

In this step I have put some example dialogues for you to practice with a friend or partner before you go out to buy coffee.

Dialogue 1:

Barista: Hi there, what can I get for you today?

Customer: Hi, could I get a large cappuccino?

Barista: Absolutely, is that for here or to go?

Customer: I’ll take it to go please.

Barista: Great, that’ll be $3.45.

Customer: (Pays money) Thanks.

Dialogue 2:

Barista: Good morning. What are you having?

Customer: Morning, I’ll have a small mocha to take away please.

Barista: Sure. Is there anything else?

Customer: No, that’s all thanks.

Barista: No problem, are you paying with cash or card?

Customer: Cash

Barista: Great, that comes to $2.55 please.

Dialogue 3:

Barista: Hi, can I help?

Customer: Hi, I’ll have a double espresso please.

Barista: Perfect, can I get a name?

Customer: Manuel.

Barista: Sorry, could you spell that for me?

Customer: Sure, M-A-N-U-E-L.

Barista: Great, that’s $2.15. When your order is ready you can pick it up at the counter over there.

Customer: Thank you.

All of the above are just some of the everyday vocabulary and phrases you can use to order a coffee in English. Did you learn something new today? What is your favourite coffee? Do you have a favourite coffee shop? Do you have your own examples of how to order coffee in English? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!