Knowing how to handle food allergies and dietary requests in English is one of the most important skills in a restaurant. A wrong answer can make a guest very ill.
The good news: you don’t need to know every ingredient. You need a few clear phrases and one simple rule. Tap 🔊 to hear each one.
Want to practise this with video? See the English for Waiters course →
The rule: never guess
“I think it’s okay” and “It’s probably fine” are the most dangerous sentences in a restaurant. With allergies, probably is not good enough.
Every time, use four steps: thank, check, confirm, check back.
- Thank the guest for telling you.
- Check with the kitchen. Every time.
- Confirm clearly what is safe and what to avoid.
- Check back during the meal.
Words you need to know
- Allergy = the body reacts badly to a food. It can be very serious.
- Nuts: peanuts and tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews…)
- Shellfish = prawns, shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels
- Dairy = milk, butter, cheese, cream
- Gluten = in wheat, so in normal bread, pasta and many sauces
- Vegetarian = no meat or fish. Vegan = no animal products at all (no eggs, milk or honey)
- Halal and kosher = meat prepared by religious rules
Step 1: Thank the guest
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Always say this first. It shows you take it seriously.
“Do you have any allergies I should know about?”
Ask every table before they order.
“How serious is the allergy?”
Some guests can’t even touch the food. The kitchen needs to know.
Step 2: Check with the kitchen
“Let me check with the kitchen for you. I’ll be right back.”
Then really go and ask.
“I want to give you the right information, so let me check first.”
When you are not 100% sure. Never guess.
“Would it be okay if our chef speaks with you directly?”
For a serious allergy, like nuts or shellfish.
Step 3: Confirm clearly
“I’ve checked with the kitchen. The chicken salad is nut free.”
Say the dish name and the allergen.
“I’d avoid the curry. It has cashews in the sauce.”
Tell the guest what NOT to order, and why.
“The chef can make the pasta without cheese for you.”
When a dish can be changed. “Without” is a very useful word.
“Our vegan options are the curry and the mushroom risotto.”
For vegan and vegetarian guests.
Step 4: Check back
“Here’s your chicken salad. It’s nut free, as we discussed.”
Say it again when you bring the food.
“Is everything okay with your meal?”
Check back two or three minutes later.
Save this card and look at it before your next shift. On Pinterest? Pin it so you can find it fast.
How to handle food allergies in English: example dialogue
Guest: Before we order, I have a nut allergy.
Waiter: Thank you for letting me know. How serious is the allergy?
Guest: Quite serious. Even a little can make me sick.
Waiter: Okay. Let me check with the kitchen for you. I’ll be right back.
Waiter: I’ve checked with the kitchen. The chicken salad is nut free.
Waiter: I’d avoid the curry. It has cashews in the sauce.
Guest: Great, I’ll have the chicken salad, please.
Waiter: Perfect. I’ll tell the kitchen about your allergy too.
Thank, check, confirm. And the waiter will check back when the food arrives.
Learn 100+ phrases like these.
Short video lessons for waiters. Self-paced. $19.99, one payment.
Get the course →Common mistakes
Quick quiz
1. A guest says “I have a nut allergy.” First, you say…
Thank them first. Then check with the kitchen.
2. You’re not sure if a dish has dairy. You…
Never guess with allergies.
3. What does “vegan” mean?
Vegan guests don’t eat meat, fish, eggs, milk or honey.
FAQ
What do you say when a guest has a food allergy?
Say “Thank you for letting me know. Let me check with the kitchen for you.” Then come back with a clear answer.
What if I’m not sure a dish is safe?
Never guess. Say “I want to give you the right information, so let me check first,” and ask the kitchen.
What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan?
Vegetarian guests don’t eat meat or fish. Vegan guests also don’t eat eggs, milk, cheese or honey.
Related guides
- Taking orders script: 12 phrases waiters can use
- How to recommend a dish: 12 easy phrases
- English for breakfast service
Ready to Go Further?
Ready to Master Restaurant English?
These free articles and scenarios are a great start, but if you want a complete, structured system for learning restaurant English, consider our full course.
English for Waiters includes:
✅ 22+ video lessons covering every restaurant situation
✅ Real restaurant scenarios with native pronunciation
✅ Interactive pronunciation practice
✅ Downloadable phrase guides
✅ Lifetime access with free updates
