50+ Polite & Creative Ways to Compliment Good Food

When you enjoy a meal that someone else prepared, why not compliment it? A few kind words can go a long way when you’re dining at a friend or family member’s house, letting them know you appreciate their hospitality. At a restaurant, praising the food is an opportunity to show off your culinary knowledge. Unsure what to say? Keep reading for simple, creative, and funny ways to compliment food in any situation.

Best Ways to Praise Food in English

If you’re eating at a restaurant, chef, restaurateur, and culinary media personality Sean “Pooch” Rivera suggests complimenting the chef in person, sending them an email, or writing a positive review. Some specific compliments to give include:

This tastes great!
The presentation is phenomenal!
You’ve outdone yourself!
I could eat this every day.

Section 1 of 10:

Detailed Ways to Compliment Food

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Go into detail when complimenting food you enjoyed a lot. Whether you’re trying to impress your foodie friends or let a friend know their meal was great, try to give a detailed compliment about the food. Be specific about the parts of the meal that you enjoyed. Go beyond just saying, “It tastes good”—they’re sure to appreciate it.
- What an amazing [food name]. You knocked it out of the park! Use this common baseball expression to highlight a food you thought was exceptional.
- That dinner was outstanding! Everything was cooked to perfection. Compliment the “cook” or doneness of the meal to praise their technical cooking ability.
- Can you give me the recipe? I need to learn how to make this. Asking for the recipe is a common compliment that shows your interest in the preparation of the meal.
  - Not everyone will want to share their recipe, and that’s okay. They’ll still be flattered that you asked.
- The flavors harmonize so beautifully. Use this compliment when the meal is a complex one with multiple flavors that work well together.
- I can’t get over how tasty the [food name] was. How do you do it? Praise your favorite element of the dish while asking a rhetorical question about how they learned to cook so well.

Section 2 of 10:

Enthusiastic Ways to Compliment Food

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Use hyperbole to compliment food that’s truly amazing. Hyperbole is a word that refers to a dramatic exaggeration.^{[1]
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Research source} Find the right hyperbole to show whoever made the meal that you think their food was truly great. Only use these with close friends or relatives—otherwise, people may think you’re insincere.
- This tastes like it came from a restaurant! Compare their food to that of a professional chef to show you think highly of their meal.
- Now I can’t try anyone else’s [food name]—this sets the bar too high! Joke that their dish was so good, you’re afraid to try anyone else’s version of the meal because it might not compare.
- You need to go on Masterchef/Iron Chef/a cooking TV show! Reference a reality television show that features the best chefs to tell your family or friend they cook at the professional level.
- This is the best [food name] I’ve ever eaten! Say this compliment during or after a meal to indicate you really enjoyed the food—especially if it’s a complicated dish.
- I’ll never look at [food name] the same way again. Joke that their food was so delicious and transformative, it’s changed your perspective on what the meal can be.

Section 3 of 10:

Funny Ways to Compliment Food

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Add humor to your compliments in informal situations with friends. Maybe your friend made a meal that wasn’t quite up to par, or it was so good you need to joke about it. Inject your personality into your praise as you compliment their food. Make sure your tone indicates that your comment is lighthearted and respectful in nature.
- If I could marry a food, this would be it. Joke that their food is so good, you’ve fallen in love with it.
- I didn’t know [food name] could do that. If they acknowledge that their dish is a flop, joke about how uniquely it turned out.
- You didn’t warn me that your food was so addictive. Compliment their food by claiming you just can’t get enough—they should’ve warned you!
- When can I move in? I want to eat this every day. Humorously ask if you can become their newest housemate, just so you have the chance to enjoy more of their cooking.
- I think I would’ve burned down the kitchen if I tried to make this. Compliment the complexity or technical quality of the dish by making a self-deprecating joke about your own cooking abilities.

Section 4 of 10:

Ways to Compliment Food at Someone’s Home

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Use sincere phrases to praise food when dining at someone’s house. When someone takes the time to host you and prepare a meal for you, show your appreciation with some kind words. Simple expressions are often the most sincere—there’s no need to act like you’re a professional food critic. Also, don’t forget that for many people, the highest praise is an empty plate.
- This looks incredible! Say this before a meal to praise the presentation and appearance of a dish.
- It’s really good! Say this during the meal to show you enjoy it.
- You’ve outdone yourself! Say this to the host who made the meal to let them know they’ve gone above and beyond with their food.
- Everything tastes great! Say this during the meal to encompass your feelings about all of the delicious food.
- Wow, this is yummy! Say this informal phrase to compliment the flavor of the food.
- I love how flavorful this is. Say this during the meal to praise the depth of flavor and quality of the meal.
- This [food name] is delicious. Say this during the meal to highlight a particular dish you really like.
- Your [food name] is mouth-watering. Use the adjective “mouth-watering” to describe food that (figuratively) makes you drool in anticipation of how delicious it looks or tastes.
- I just had to have seconds, it was so good! Say this informal phrase to compliment the food—it was so good, you needed to eat more.
- I could eat this every day! Use this compliment as you’re enjoying a second or third helping to show how much you love the meal.
- I can’t get enough of your [food name]—it’s incredible! Mention the dish you’re eating another serving of by name to let the cook know how tasty it is.
- I ate way too much. Everything was delicious. Joke informally that you had more servings than you should have because you just couldn’t resist.
- Another way to compliment the hosts at a dinner party is to raise a toast to them, advises etiquette coach Tami Claytor.^{[2]
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Section 5 of 10:

Ways to Compliment Food at a Restaurant

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Flex your foodie knowledge with specific compliments at a restaurant. When you’re enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant, it’s polite to offer some praise—and show off your culinary awareness. Although the chef isn’t there to receive the compliment, those at your table will appreciate that you’re enjoying the meal with them. Plus, it’s a free way to show gratitude when you’re not picking up the check.
- This [meat or fish] is seasoned to perfection! Say this during a meal to let others know you recognize the importance of seasoning in cooking.
- I’ve never had a better [food name] than this. Use this phrase to let people know you’ve tried the dish at other places, and this one is exceptionally good.
- This pairs beautifully with the wine. If you’re enjoying wine with your meal, say this to reference how nicely the alcohol and food taste together.
- The presentation is phenomenal! Say this before the meal when the food is brought out to show you appreciate how appetizing or beautiful it looks.
- The texture is just incredible. Say this while eating a dish that has a textural element, such as a crust, a flakiness, or a tenderness.
- Wow, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory! Say this specific compliment when eating a food that’s both sweet and savory.

Section 6 of 10:

How to Compliment Food Pictures Online

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Use emojis and adjectives to compliment food pictures on social media. When you’re scrolling through your feed, a nice dish might catch your eye. Leave a compliment in the comments to spread some kindness. If it’s a dish someone made, praise their talent. If it’s food you ordered at a restaurant, praise the food (and maybe ask them to send you the details).^{[3]
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- Now I’m craving this. Comment this to suggest that the food picture made you hungry.
- There’s nothing [food name] can’t solve. Write this joking message to praise the almost healing-like powers of the food.
- This looks finger-licking good! Reference the catchphrase of the fast-food chain KFC to get a laugh.
- What’s the name of this dish? I have to try it. Comment this if someone’s posted a picture of a dish you’re not familiar with.
- Drop the recipe. Ask them for the recipe if they’re sharing a picture of a dish they made themselves.
- We need to get this next time we’re together. Comment this on the post of a close friend when they share a picture of a food or drink from a restaurant so they know you’d like to try it with them in the future.
- 😋 Type this emoji to express that the food looks yummy.
- 🤤 Use the drooling emoji to let the poster know their food picture is making your mouth water.
- That looks amazing! I’m so jealous. Give this compliment to playfully express your envy at the incredible food they’re posting about.
- You bless my feed with your cooking. If someone’s posted a picture of a dish they made, let them know how much it brightens your day (and whets your appetite) with this compliment.

Section 7 of 10:

Ways to Compliment a Chef Directly

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Compliment the efforts of the cook to show appreciation for them. Praise the time and work that went into preparing the dish and setting up the dinner. Let them know that not only is the food really tasty, but their efforts in making it are much appreciated.
- This really tastes like a labor of love. Say this compliment to indicate that the cook’s passion shines through in their delicious meal.
- I can tell how much work you put into this. Bravo! Borrow a phrase from the theater to salute your host’s efforts in making the food.
- Your care made this dish something special. Reference the care, or attention to detail, that they put into the dish and how it elevated the meal for you.
- You poured your soul into this dish, and it shows. Thank you for making it. Compliment your friend with heartfelt words that recognize their passion and talent for cooking.
- I can tell you put a lot of effort into this. Thank you for an amazing meal. Praise their effort directly so the cook knows their work was worth it.

Section 8 of 10:

Ways to Compliment Food You Didn’t Like

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Even if you didn’t like a meal, find something positive to say. When someone makes a meal for you, it’s their effort that matters most—not the quality of the dish. They took the time to cook for you, so take the time to compliment their hospitality, efforts, or the dish itself. If you’re at a restaurant, you can politely express why you didn’t like your meal—but don’t be too negative. You don’t want to seem rude or snobby.
- I’ve never tried [food name] before—thank you for introducing me to it. Use this compliment when someone makes you a food you haven’t had before, especially if it’s from their culture or a family recipe.
- That home-cooked meal was just what I needed. Say this after a meal to show your appreciation for a meal made from scratch.
- I really liked the [food name]. If you don’t feel genuine complimenting the whole meal, highlight a particular dish that you did enjoy.
- That was a little too salty/undersalted for my taste. At a restaurant, let others know the seasoning wasn’t to your satisfaction, but it’s about your palate—not the food itself.
- This is tasty, I just wish it had more… When you’re dining at a restaurant, combine a compliment with an honest comment about something you think the dish is lacking.

Section 9 of 10:

What does “compliments to the chef” mean?

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‘Compliments to the chef' is a formal way to compliment a meal. You can say “Compliments to the chef” or “My compliments to the chef”—they have the same meaning.^{[4]
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Research source} While the phrase is commonly used at restaurants when you want the server to pass on your praise to the chef, you can also say it to someone who’s cooked for you at their home.
- For example, after a meal at a restaurant that you really enjoyed, you may tell the waiter, “Give my compliments to the chef.” Or simply, “My compliments to the chef.”
- At a friend’s dinner, you may tell them, “That was so good! Compliments to the chef.” While it sounds a little formal, it’s a common way to express praise for a meal you enjoyed.^{[5]
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- Do servers actually pass on compliments to the chef? Servers may not actually pass your compliments to the chef, either because they’re busy or because they view it as a lighthearted expression that’s not meant to be taken literally.^{[6]
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Section 10 of 10:

More Phrases for Talking About Food

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Phrases to say before the meal Before you start eating, it’s common for the host or whoever you’re dining with to say something that signals it’s time to enjoy the food. Some of these phrases are formal and best reserved for fine dining, while others are more casual.^{[7]
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- Bon appétit This French phrase means “good appetite,” and servers frequently say it at upscale restaurants to suggest, “I hope you enjoy the meal.”^{[8]
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- Enjoy your meal This phrase is literal. A server will often say this after bringing your food to your table.
- Dig in! A host or whoever you’re dining with may say this phrase to encourage you to begin eating—or “dig in” to the food.
  - A similar phrase is “Tuck in!” which has the same meaning.
- I hope you enjoy! This common phrase expresses the host’s excitement for you to taste the meal they prepared.
- Saying grace If you’re dining at someone’s house, they may say grace (a short prayer of thanks) before the meal begins. During grace, bow your head and listen to the prayer. People may say “Amen” at the end, but you don’t have to.^{[9]
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Talking about your diet When talking about food, people may ask you about your diet. A diet refers to either a weight-loss plan or any special restrictions on the food you eat. Most people won’t ask about the first kind of diet because it’s rude. Familiarize yourself with the below phrases to be able to talk about any special diet you have.
- I’m a vegan If you choose not to eat any animal products or animal-derived food, you’re on a vegan diet. Most vegans don’t eat any meat and also don’t eat things made with animal byproducts like eggs or dairy.^{[10]
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- I’m a vegetarian If you choose not to eat any meat, you’re on a vegetarian diet. Some vegetarians make an exception for fish, eggs, and dairy, while others don’t.^{[11]
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- I’m on a gluten-free diet Some people have a gluten sensitivity or allergy and can’t eat gluten products. Say this if you’re on a gluten-free diet and need to avoid gluten in your food.
- I’m on a diet When you say this phrase, you’re indicating you’re trying to restrict what you eat in order to lose weight or improve your nutritional health. People may say this when offered junk food or extra servings of a meal.
  - Another way to say this when turning down food is, “No thank you, I’m trying to lose weight.”
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Talking about what you like to eat Make small talk with others by talking about what you like (or don’t like) to eat. Learn the common phrases to share your favorite foods and preferences with others and understand what they like to eat.
- I like fast food Use this phrase to share that you enjoy fast food (hot food served quickly and cheaply), such as McDonald’s, KFC, Taco Bell, or Burger King.
- I like [country name] food If you like a specific country’s cuisine, tell others you like that kind of food. For example, you might say, “I like Mexican food,” or, “I like Italian food.”
- I have a sweet tooth When you say you have a sweet tooth, you mean you like sugary and sweet-tasting foods. In this phrase, “tooth” is another way of saying “a taste [for].”
- I like a home-cooked meal Say this phrase to indicate that you like it when you or someone else prepares food at home, especially from scratch.
EXPERT TIP

Wayne Dang
Fast Food & Social Media Expert
Wayne Dang is a Fast Food Expert & Video Creator specializing in sharing restaurant and fast food reviews. Wayne has a follower base of over 90,000 YouTube subscribers and his videos have over 21 million views. He also has over 1.2 million followers on Tiktok. Wayne is known for his high energy and entertaining content. Some of his most popular content includes secret menu reviews and trying special items at restaurants.

Wayne Dang
Fast Food & Social Media Expert

Try new foods to get better at talking about them. To get better at describing how food tastes, you have to constantly try out new foods so that you can learn everything about them. Ask yourself: What does a food normally taste like? What does it feel like? Is it made right or not？

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