To order in Cebuano, ask Unsa may lami diri? (What’s good here?) and then name your dish, for example Usa ka inasal ug extra rice. (One grilled chicken and extra rice.) When you are done, say Mobayad na mi! (The bill, please!)
The phrases below follow a meal from the table to the bill: ordering, saying what you want and do not want, and paying. They come from two chapters of the Quick Cebuano app — Eating & drinking (20 phrases) and At the restaurant (16 phrases). For prices see Cebuano Numbers, and for thank you and goodbye see Cebuano Greetings.
Getting a Table and Ordering
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Para sa pila? | pah-RAH sah pee-LAH | For how many? (you’ll hear this) |
| Para sa duha. | pah-RAH sah doo-HAH | For two, please. |
| Naa moy menu sa English? | NAH-ah moy MEH-noo sah ING-glish | Do you have an English menu? |
| Unsa may lami diri? | OON-sah my lah-MEE dee-REE | What’s good here? |
| Usa ka inasal ug extra rice. | oo-SAH kah ee-nah-SAHL oog EKS-trah rahys | One grilled chicken and extra rice. |
| Ilimnon, sir? | ee-leem-NON, ser | Drinks, sir? (what the waitress asks) |
| Duha ka bugnaw nga tubig. | doo-HAH kah boog-NAW ngah TOO-beeg | Two cold waters. |
| Gusto ko ug tubig, palihug. | GOOS-toh koh oog TOO-beeg, pah-LEE-hoog | I’d like some water, please. |
Saying What You Want
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kanang dili halang. | KAH-nahng DEE-lee hah-LAHNG | Not spicy, please. |
| Walay ice. | wah-LIE ahys | No ice. |
| Naa koy allergy sa seafood. | NAH-ah koy AH-lehr-jee sah SEE-food | I’m allergic to seafood. |
| Take out na lang. | TAKE-out nah lahng | To go, please. |
Paying the Bill
| Cebuano | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lami kaayo ang pagkaon! | lah-MEE kah-AH-yoh ahng pahg-KAH-on | The food is really delicious! |
| Wala na, salamat. | wah-LAH nah, sah-LAH-maht | Nothing else, thanks. |
| Mobayad na mi! | moh-BAH-yahd nah mee | The bill, please! |
Good to know: Tips are welcome but never expected. Leaving the small change is plenty.