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。

What you could say back

“I'll grab us a table then.”

Related phrases

All Food & Dining
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake