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:
Pronouncing dining in Russian
After being greeted you could get asked one of the following questions…
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Вы будете сначала заказывать напитки?
Vy booditi snachala zakazyvat’ napeetki?
Would you like to order some drinks to start with?
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Вы уже выбрали?
Vy uzhe vybrali?
Have you already made your selection?
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Что вы будете заказывать?
Shto vy booditi zakazyvat’?
What would you like to order?
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Вы будете закуски?
Vy booditi zakooski?
Would you like a starter?
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Что вы хотите?
Shto vy hateeti?
What would you like?
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Вы будете заказывать?
Vy booditi zakazyvat'?
Would you like to order?
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Что вы будете есть?
Shto vy booditi est’?
What would you like to eat?
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Sometimes all you might get asked is…
Пожалуйста?
Pazhalusta
Are you ready to order?
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You could answer by saying one of these phrases…
Да, сейчас.
Da, sichas
One moment, please.
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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.
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Я ещë не знаю.
Ya ishcho ni znaiu
I don't know yet.
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Not sure what you fancy eating? Just ask the waiter what he recommends…
Что вы посоветуете?
Shto vy pasavetuite?
What can you recommend?
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Какое у вас блюдо дня?
Kakoe oo vas bliooda dnya?
What is the daily special?
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Какой у вас суп дня?
Kakoi oo vas soop dnia?
What is the soup of the day?
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Here are the names of some dishes and drinks that you might find on the menu…
Минеральная вода
Miniral’naia vada
Mineral water
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Сок
Sok
Juice
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Пиво
Peeva
Beer
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Красное вино
Krasnae vino
Red wine
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Белое вино
Belae vino
White wine
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Шампанское
Shampanskae
Champagne
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Закуски
Zakooski
Starter
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Горячее
Garyachie
Main
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Десерт
Disert
Dessert
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Гарнир
Garneer
Side dish
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Суп
Soop
Soup
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Салат
Salat
Salad
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Соус
Sous
Sauce
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Овощи
Ovashchi
Vegetables
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Картофель
Kartofil’
Potatoes
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Рис
Rees
Rice
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Мясо
Myasa
Meat
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Лапша
Lapsha
Noodles
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Свинина
Svineena
Pork
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Курица
Kooritsa
Chicken
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Говядина
Gavyadina
Beef
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In order to get the dish you want, simply say…
Я хочу…
Ya hachoo...
I want…
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Я буду…
Ya boodu...
I would like…
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Once you finished your meal, you ask for the bill…
Счëт, пожалуйста
Shchot pazhalusta
The bill, please.
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Я хочу оплатить счëт.
Ya hachoo aplateet’ shchot
I would like to pay, please.
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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…
вм есте
vmesti
together
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Or...
отдельно
addel’na
separately
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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
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That’s it for today’s lesson.
Here are a few recommended Russian lessons to try next!
- In case of an emergency in Russian!
- Talking about your emotions in Russian is a great way to connect with Russians.
- This lesson is all about describing your face in Russian.
До скорого! (da skorava)
Natalya Dubrov: Rocket Russian
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