Order at the counter
Neutral Neutral
What it really means
In many UK cafés and casual restaurants there is no table service: you order and pay at the counter or till first, take a table number, and food is brought to you. Look for a sign or watch what others do.
Chinese explanation
英国很多咖啡店和休闲餐厅没有桌边点餐服务:先到柜台点餐付款,拿一个桌号牌,餐品会送到桌上。看指示牌或观察别人怎么做就行。
Example conversation
A: Do we wait for a waiter?
B: No — order at the counter and take a table number.
A:我们要等服务员来吗?
B:不用——去柜台点餐,拿个桌号牌。
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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake