today's special

Meaning

Today's special is a dish that a restaurant offers on a specific day, often at a discounted price or featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients not on the regular menu. Waitstaff will often tell you about it before you order, or it will be written on a chalkboard. It is a very common term in dining and travel.

Examples

• What is today's special, and does it come with a side dish?

  What is today's special, and does it come with a side dish?

• Today's special is grilled salmon with a side of roasted vegetables.

  Today's special is grilled salmon with a side of roasted vegetables.

• I think I'll order today's special instead of my usual pasta.

  I think I'll order today's special instead of my usual pasta.

• The server recommended today's special because the fish is fresh.

  The server recommended today's special because the fish is fresh.

• Is today's special included in the lunch combo deal?

  Is today's special included in the lunch combo deal?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ What is the today special?

  ✓ What is today's special?

  You must use the possessive form 'today's' to show that the special belongs to that specific day.

• ✗ I want to order the special of today.

  ✓ I want to order today's special.

  While grammatically understandable, 'the special of today' sounds unnatural. Native speakers almost exclusively say 'today's special'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Excuse me, could you tell us what ___ is?

  💡 The extra dish offered by the restaurant just for today.

  Show answer

  today's special

• The waiter said that ___ is a delicious seafood pasta.

  💡 A dish featured on the menu for one day only.

  Show answer

  today's special