Written by Gabriela Estrada

Being a "peaker eater" o "picky eater" is a common expression in both Spanish and English. is a common expression in both Spanish and English. These types of words enrich your vocabulary and prepare you to interact more fluently with native English speakers in everyday situations, such as eating in restaurants or at home with family and friends.

Today we will learn some key English expressions to talk about food, tastes and habits at the table, with a focus on typical Canadian phrases. Read this blog to the end and feed your knowledge! Let's get started!

Essential phrases in English at mealtime

Knowing basic English expressions to use in social gatherings at mealtimes is of great importance to integrate comfortably into the conversation.

Some common phrases are:

1. All you can eat: in Canada, all-you-can-eat restaurants are popular, especially buffets. If you are an English language learner, you can prepare yourself before traveling with phrases such as: "This is an all you can eat buffet!" when referring to these types of places.
2. Picky eater: to describe someone picky eaterlike a child who only wants to eat French fries, you might say: "He is such a picky eater". This phrase is common at family gatherings or among friends.
3. Mouthwatering: if something looks or smells incredibly delicious, you can use this word. For example: "That poutine looks mouthwatering!" In Canada, poutine is a typical dish that combines fries, cheese and gravy, perfect for using this expression!
4. Sweet tooth: Can't resist desserts? If so, then you're the type of person who has a "sweet tooth" or sweet tooth. And you might say: "I have a sweet tooth, I can't say no to maple syrup." Maple syrup is a Canadian culinary icon, ideal for those with a sweet tooth.
5. Allergic to: when you need to talk about food allergies, this phrase is essential: "I'm allergic to shellfish." In Canada, where shellfish are common in gastronomy, this expression can be crucial.
6. Enjoy your meal! this universal expression is the closest in English to say ¡buen provecho!

Particularities of Canadian English in the food context

Canadian English has some unique expressions related to food. For example:

• Timmy's: this is a colloquial way of referring to the Tim Hortons coffee shop chain, very popular in Canada.
• Loonie y Toonie: although not directly related to food, these words are used to refer to the one and two Canadian dollar coins, respectively, and are common when paying in restaurants. You can read our blog on how to pay in Canadian English.

Basic English at the table

The after-dinner conversationthat special moment after sharing a meal, is a perfect opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations in English and strengthen bonds of affection or work. In this space, you can talk about everyday topics, personal anecdotes or even discuss the details of the meal you have just enjoyed. These chats not only contribute to creating a pleasant atmosphere, but are also an excellent way to integrate into the new English-speaking culture and learn typical English phrases.

Mastering English at the dinner table is a clear sign that you are succeeding in adapting to the English-speaking community, however, to advance in the language having certified English teachers is of great help and the results are faster. 

Learn English with Planeta Immiland Education

At Planet Immilandwe teach the essential language to participate in informal and special conversations. Thanks to the advice and academic support of certified teachers, with more than 10 years of experience in teaching English, and to the dynamics focused on real situations, students will be able to manage with confidence in contexts such as meetings, restaurants or after-dinner conversations.

We teach English and French for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. If you would like to know more about our school's learning strategies, please contact us at and we will be happy to help you with whatever you need. You can also explore our school's website at: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/programas-ingles

We are the first language academy for immigration purposes for Canada and our certified teachers can teach you to speak English for work, school, personal or travel purposes. In addition, we are certified by Languages Canada, which guarantees a good language learning adapted to the Canadian reality.

I hope these phrases will help you speak fluent and correct English at mealtime.

Thanks for reading! See you in the next blog!

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education