menu of the day

Meaning

This phrase refers to a set meal offered by a restaurant on a particular day, often at a discounted or fixed price. It typically includes a starter, a main course, and a dessert or drink, and is highly common in European dining.

Examples

• We decided to order the menu of the day because it was a great value.

  We decided to order the menu of the day because it was a great value.

• Does the menu of the day include a drink, or do we pay extra for that?

  Does the menu of the day include a drink, or do we pay extra for that?

• Today's menu of the day features a delicious tomato soup and grilled salmon.

  Today's menu of the day features a delicious tomato soup and grilled salmon.

• Many local cafes offer a cheap menu of the day during lunch hours.

  Many local cafes offer a cheap menu of the day during lunch hours.

• Excuse me, could you tell us what is on the menu of the day?

  Excuse me, could you tell us what is on the menu of the day?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will have the day menu.

  ✓ I will have the menu of the day.

  While some languages translate this literally as 'day menu', in English, 'menu of the day' or 'daily menu' is the standard natural phrasing.

• ✗ What is the menu of today?

  ✓ What is the menu of the day?

  'Menu of the day' is a fixed idiomatic phrase. 'Menu of today' sounds unnatural to native speakers.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are on a budget, you should definitely order the ___ at lunch.

  💡 The fixed-price set meal offered daily.

  Show answer

  menu of the day

• The waiter explained that the ___ today features fresh seafood pasta.

  💡 The special set option for today.

  Show answer

  menu of the day