# Complaining in a Restaurant: ESL Listening Dialogue (B1)

> Free B1 ESL listening dialogue. A diner politely complains about a cold dish and a long wait. Script, vocabulary, questions and AI audio.

Canonical: https://zenmic.com/esl/dialogues/restaurant-complaint/
Last updated: 2026-10-20

CEFR B1 • Food & Drink English

A B1 English listening dialogue. A diner politely complains about a cold dish and a long wait. Use it for listening practice, role play or homework, and generate the audio in a US, UK or Australian accent.

Opens the Studio with this script loaded and a voice for each speaker. Change any line or accent, then generate the MP3 for your class. No sign-up needed to try.

## Dialogue Script (2 speakers)

Waiter: How is everything? Diner: I'm sorry, but my pasta is cold. And the chicken seems undercooked. Waiter: Oh, I'm really sorry. May I take it back to the kitchen? Diner: Yes, please. We also waited almost forty minutes for it. Waiter: I apologise. It's been very busy tonight, but that's no excuse. Diner: I understand. I'd just like a hot meal. Waiter: Of course. The chef will make a fresh one right away, and I'll take it off the bill. Diner: That's kind of you. Waiter: And please have dessert on the house. Diner: Thank you. That's very generous.

Want your own version? The AI writes a fresh script and casts a voice for every speaker. [Make a New One Like This →](https://zenmic.com/studio/?template=esl-listening-dialogue&topic=B1+listening+dialogue%3A+Complaining+in+a+Restaurant.+A+diner+politely+complains+about+a+cold+dish+and+a+long+wait.)

## Key Vocabulary

to send back

To return food to the kitchen.

undercooked

Not cooked enough.

to take off the bill

To not charge for something.

on the house

Free, paid by the restaurant.

## Comprehension Questions

1. What two problems does the diner have?
2. What does the waiter offer to do?
3. What is on the house?

Tip: after you generate the audio, open its **Lesson view** for a printable transcript, vocabulary list and quiz with answers.

## How to Use It in Class

- **Before listening:** pre-teach the key vocabulary and ask students to predict what happens.
- **First listen:** students answer the comprehension questions without the script.
- **Second listen:** give out the script and have students underline useful phrases.
- **Speaking:** pairs role-play the dialogue, then change one detail and improvise.

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## Need This at a Different Level?

Change the level, the situation or the target words. ZenMic writes a new dialogue and voices it in a minute.

[Make a Custom Dialogue →](https://zenmic.com/studio/?template=esl-listening-dialogue&topic=B1+listening+dialogue%3A+Complaining+in+a+Restaurant.+A+diner+politely+complains+about+a+cold+dish+and+a+long+wait.)