How to say it · Money and everyday habits

Saying food tastes good

Someone has cooked for you, or you're trying a new dish. Saying "very delicious" every time sounds flat, so here's how to praise food from nice to amazing.

6 ways to say it

At a dinner table, Sam tastes the soup with his eyes closed; the steam from his bowl curls into a heart while the host watches.

How strongMildGlowing

This is really goodbest default That's pretty tastylow-key This is lovelywarm to a host That hits the spotjust what I needed Can I have the recipe?praise as a question This is incredibletop marks

Way 1 · best default

This is really good

The everyday way to praise food. Warm, honest and fine at home, at work or in a restaurant.

How strongMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Mm, this is really good. Is there lemon in it?

This curry is really good. I'll have to come back.

In a conversation

A: I wasn't sure about the sauce. Is it OK?
B: Are you joking? This is really good.

Common mistake

Not: This is ~~very delicious.~~

Say: This is really good.

"Delicious" is already strong, so "very delicious" sounds odd. Most people just say "really good".

Practice saying this

Next: That's pretty tasty

Way 2 · low-key

That's pretty tasty

Relaxed, mild praise. Good for snacks, street food or something you didn't expect much from.

How strongVery mild

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

For a petrol station sandwich, that's pretty tasty.

Try one of these crisps. They're pretty tasty.

Common mistake

Not: ~~It's good taste.~~

Say: That's pretty tasty.

"Good taste" means good style ("She has good taste in clothes"). For food, say "tasty" or "it tastes good".

Practice saying this

Next: This is lovely

Way 3 · warm to a host

This is lovely

Gentle, warm praise. Very British, and perfect at someone's home or with a cup of tea and cake.

How strongMild

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Thanks for having us. This is lovely.

This cake is lovely. Did you make it yourself?

In a conversation

A: It's just a simple soup, nothing special.
B: Well, I think it's lovely. Thank you.

Practice saying this

Next: That hits the spot

Way 4 · just what I needed

That hits the spot

The food is exactly what your body wanted right now: hot soup when cold, a burger after a long day.

How strongMiddle

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Hot chocolate after that walk? That hits the spot.

That pasta really hit the spot. I was starving.

Practice saying this

Next: Can I have the recipe?

Way 5 · praise as a question

Can I have the recipe?

You like it so much you want to make it yourself. Home cooks love hearing this.

How strongGlowing

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Honestly, can I have the recipe? I want to make this at home.

This salad is amazing. Can I have the recipe?

In a conversation

A: More? There's plenty left.
B: Yes, please. And can I have the recipe?

Practice saying this

Next: This is incredible

Way 6 · top marks

This is incredible

The strongest praise. Keep it for food that really surprises you, so it still means something.

How strongVery glowing

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Wow, this is incredible. What's in the sauce?

The steak here is incredible. Best I've had.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

The mistake learners make

What a translation app gives you, and what people actually say.

Not: It's not ~~delicious.~~

Say: It's not really for me, but the rest is lovely.

To a host, "It's not delicious" sounds like a harsh verdict. Make it about your taste, then praise something else.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

This is really good That's pretty tasty This is lovely That hits the spot

Which would you say?

The mistake learners make

Now say it out loud

More moments like this