table for two

Meaning

A standard phrase used when entering a restaurant to request seating for two people. It can be used as a polite request by adding 'please' at the end. It is understood by hosts and servers worldwide.

Examples

• Hello, we'd like a table for two, please.

  Hello, we'd like a table for two, please.

• Do you have a table for two near the window?

  Do you have a table for two near the window?

• I made a reservation for a table for two under the name Smith.

  I made a reservation for a table for two under the name Smith.

• The restaurant was so busy that we had to wait thirty minutes for a table for two.

  The restaurant was so busy that we had to wait thirty minutes for a table for two.

• Hi there, just a table for two tonight, please.

  Hi there, just a table for two tonight, please.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We want a table of two, please.

  ✓ We want a table for two, please.

  Use the preposition 'for' to indicate the number of people, not 'of'.

• ✗ Can we have a two people table?

  ✓ Can we have a table for two?

  While understandable, 'two people table' is unnatural. The standard restaurant phrase is 'table for [number]'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Good evening, we don't have a reservation. Can we get a ___?

  💡 A place to sit for two people.

  Show answer

  table for two

• I'd like to book a ___ for tomorrow night at eight.

  💡 A reservation for two diners.

  Show answer

  table for two