Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Restaurants” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Choosing a Restaurant

1. What do you look for when choosing a restaurant?
2. Do you prefer fast food or sit-down restaurants?
3. How important is the restaurant’s location to you?
4. Do you read reviews before going to a restaurant?
5. What type of cuisine do you enjoy the most?

II. Dining Experience

6. What is your favorite restaurant and why?
7. How do you feel about the service at restaurants?
8. Have you ever had a bad experience at a restaurant?
9. What makes a restaurant special for you?
10. Do you prefer to eat alone or with others at a restaurant?

III. Food Choices

11. What is your favorite dish to order at a restaurant?
12. Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat?
13. How often do you try new foods at restaurants?
14. Do you have any food allergies or dislikes?
15. How do you feel about sharing food with others?

IV. Restaurant Atmosphere

16. What kind of atmosphere do you like in a restaurant?
17. Do you prefer quiet restaurants or lively ones?
18. How important is the decoration of a restaurant to you?
19. Do you like outdoor seating at restaurants?
20. What music do you like to hear in a restaurant?

V. Special Occasions

21. Do you celebrate special occasions at restaurants?
22. What is the best restaurant you have been to for a celebration?
23. How do you feel about birthday parties at restaurants?
24. Do you think restaurants should offer special menus for holidays?
25. What is your favorite memory of dining out for a special occasion?

VI. Cooking at Home vs. Eating Out

26. Do you prefer cooking at home or eating out?
27. What do you like to cook at home?
28. How often do you eat out each week?
29. What is your favorite meal to make at home?
30. Do you think cooking at home is healthier than eating out?

VII. Restaurant Trends

31. What food trends have you noticed in restaurants recently?
32. Do you think plant-based menus are becoming more popular?
33. How do you feel about food delivery services for restaurants?
34. Are you interested in trying fusion cuisine?
35. What do you think about restaurants that focus on sustainability?

VIII. Food Safety and Hygiene

36. How important is food safety to you when eating out?
37. Have you ever been worried about hygiene in a restaurant?
38. What do you think restaurants should do to ensure food safety?
39. Do you check the cleanliness of a restaurant before eating?
40. How do you feel about open kitchens in restaurants?

IX. Restaurant Etiquette

41. What do you think is good etiquette when dining out?
42. How do you feel about tipping at restaurants?
43. Is it okay to complain about food at a restaurant?
44. What should you do if you have a problem with your order?
45. How should you behave when dining with others?

X. Future of Restaurants

46. How do you think restaurants will change in the future?
47. Will technology play a big role in restaurants?
48. Do you think more people will cook at home instead of eating out?
49. What new restaurant concepts would you like to see?
50. How do you think the pandemic has changed restaurants?

XI. Personal Experiences

51. What is the most memorable meal you have had at a restaurant?
52. Have you ever tried a restaurant that was very different from what you expected?
53. What is the strangest food you have eaten at a restaurant?
54. Have you ever made a friend at a restaurant?
55. What is your favorite restaurant memory with family or friends?

XII. Global Restaurant Culture

56. How do restaurants in your country differ from those in other countries?
57. What is a popular restaurant chain in your country?
58. Have you ever eaten at a restaurant while traveling?
59. What is your favorite international cuisine?
60. How do you think food brings people together in restaurants?
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