Whether you’re in a busy city restaurant or a roadside dhaba in Punjab, knowing how to order food in Punjabi can make the experience smoother — and more delicious.
1. Restaurant Vocabulary
| English | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | ਰੈਸਟੋਰੈਂਟ | Restaurant |
| Dhaba (roadside eatery) | ਢਾਬਾ | Dhābā |
| Menu | ਮੈਨੂ | Menu |
| Waiter | ਵੈਟਰ | Waiter |
| Table | ਮੇਜ਼ | Mēz |
| Food | ਖਾਣਾ | Khāṇā |
| Water | ਪਾਣੀ | Pāṇī |
| Tea | ਚਾਹ | Chāh |
| Bill | ਬਿੱਲ | Bill |
| Tip | ਇਨਾਮੀ ਰਕਮ | Ināmī rakam |
2. Useful Phrases
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੈਨੂ ਦਿਓ ਜੀ।
(Mainū menu diō jī.) → Please give me the menu. - ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਸਿਫਾਰਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ?
(Tusīṁ kī sifārash kardē hō?) → What do you recommend? - ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਥਾਲੀ ਦੇ ਦਿਓ।
(Mainū ikk thālī dē diō.) → Please give me one thali. - ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥੋੜ੍ਹਾ ਮਿਰਚਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।
(Mainū thoṛhā mirchā chāhīdā hai.) → I want it less spicy. - ਬਿੱਲ ਲਿਆਓ ਜੀ।
(Bill liāō jī.) → Please bring the bill.
3. Cultural Tips
- In Punjab, meals are often shared family-style.
- At dhabas, food is usually fresh and cooked after you order — expect a bit of a wait.
- It’s polite to thank the server with “ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ” (Dhanvāḍ jī).
4. Practice Activity
Imagine you are at a Punjabi dhaba. Practice ordering your favorite meal in Punjabi, asking about spice level, and requesting the bill.
Quick Recap:
✅ Common restaurant vocabulary
✅ How to order and customize your food in Punjabi
✅ Cultural dining tips