How to Order a Cup of Coffee in English | Denglisch Docs

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Hi! Welcome to Denglisch Docs!
Many of us like to start off our day with a cup of coffee; others like to get their work done in a café or meet friends for coffee in the afternoon. So, how can you order coffee in English with confidence, using the right words and phrases?

There are three basic pieces of information you’ll want to provide when you place an order at any coffee shop: the size, the specifics of the drink, and whether you plan to have the coffee in the café or whether you’d like to take it to go.

First, the size. For most drinks, you’ll want to communicate whether you want small, medium, or large. Sometimes even extra-large is an option. If you’re at Starbucks, they have their own terminology for different sizes, as some of you probably already know. Their smallest size is called ‘tall,’ their medium is called ‘grande,’ and their large size is called ‘venti.’ Some Starbucks offer an extra-large size called ‘trenta.’ That’s right — though it’s a bit confusing, a ‘tall’ is the smallest drink on the Starbucks menu. But you came for tasty coffee, not logic, right?


Now, after you’ve specified the size, now is the time to indicate the specific drink you want. For those who like things simple, you’ll want to order a ‘black coffee,’ which is just hot water poured over ground coffee beans. If you want the same taste but no caffeine, you’ll ask for a ‘decaf.’ For those who prefer adding milk, chocolate, or ice to their coffee, you’ll have options like macchiato, cappuccino, mocha, or frappe. You may even prefer espresso. In that case you won’t use the terms ‘small’ or ‘large,’ but rather ‘single shot’ or ‘double shot,’ depending on how much you want.

Now, after you’ve specified your drink — do you want to have it in the café or take it to go? The most common terms that we use in English are ‘for here’ or ‘to go,’ though you’ll occasionally hear ‘takeout’ or ‘takeaway,’ as well.

For instance, you can say, “Hi, I’ll have a large black coffee, for here, please,” or “A small cappuccino to go, please.”

The employees will often ask for your name. This isn’t because they want to get to know you better. Instead, when your order is ready, they’ll shout out your name so that you can come and pick up your drink. Some cafés will shout out the name of your drink order instead.

They’re also going to want to know how you’re paying for your drink, and they’ll ask, “Will that be cash or card?” Feel free to respond with just a single word, either, “Cash,” or “Card,” and then proceed to hand them whichever you’ve chosen. And last, if you want sugar or another sweetener added to your drink, there’s no need to tell the barista. In most coffee shops, that final step is left up to you. The customer may add as much sugar, or as little sugar, as they’d like in a separate area before leaving.

Let’s review. When you enter a café, be ready to provide three key pieces of information: the size, the type of drink, and the location. A fairly simple order might be like this: “A medium mocha to go, please,” or “I’d like a small black coffee for here, please.”

If you want something a bit more complicated, you might say, “Please give me a double shot of espresso, over ice, to stay,” or “I’ll take a large cappuccino with almond milk. And may I have some cream on the side?”

And finally, for a more complicated order, you may need to explain it step by step what you would like. For example, “A mochaccino with a shot of caramel, a little bit of soy milk… And could you add some cinnamon to the top and a drizzle of honey?”

Be prepared to give your name so that they can call you when your drink is finally ready. Feel free to add some food to your order once they ask your, “Anything else?” And when choosing the method of payment, the answer is ‘cash’ or ‘card.’ That’s it! Enjoy your coffee and feel confident ordering in English. You’ve got everything you need.