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Everyday English: Ordering coffee and food

Australian cafés have their own coffee words, and you'll use them from your first morning. Here's how to order with confidence, from a flat white to brekkie.

Updated 2026-10-17

Listen to the conversation

Press ▶ Play conversation, or 🔊 on any line. Then try 🎭 Practise as "You": the other person speaks, and you say your lines out loud.

Key words and phrases

Phrase What it means
flat white Espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. A local favourite.
long black Hot water with espresso poured on top (similar to an Americano).
having here or takeaway? Will you drink it in the café, or take it with you?
a keep cup A reusable coffee cup. Some cafés give a small discount.
brekkie Breakfast.
avo on toast Avocado on toast, a classic café breakfast.
Can I grab…? A casual, polite way to order: Can I grab a flat white, please?

Tips

  • Can I grab…? and Could I get…? are both polite and natural in Australia.
  • Tipping isn't expected in Australian cafés, but some places have a tip jar if you'd like to.
  • Many cafés add a surcharge on weekends or public holidays. It's usually on the menu.
  • Most places are card-only or prefer cards, so tap and go is normal.

Aussie words in this conversation: brekkie, avo, no worries, heaps.

More everyday situations

Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official PTE Academic task types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a PTE score. For an official estimate, use Pearson's scored practice tests.

Frequently asked questions

What English phrases do I need for ordering coffee and food in Australia?

This page lists the key phrases with audio, then shows them in a real conversation you can role-play.

How can I practise ordering coffee and food in English?

Listen to the dialogue, then press the role-play button to take one part yourself. Say the phrases out loud.

Is this for beginners?

It suits learners at about A2 to B1. Beginners can start with the free Everyday English course.