A Beginner’s Guide to Ordering at a Restaurant in Spanish

Eating out in Spanish-speaking countries is a fantastic way to experience local culture, and knowing how to order food in Spanish can make your experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re visiting a restaurant in a Spanish-speaking country or the local Spanish-speaking restaurant, these key phrases and tips will help you feel confident and ready to order.

Keep in mind that politeness, pleasantries and common phrases will vary from country to country, and even region to region. You might hear lots of different phrases, but these basics will help you be understood anywhere.

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1. Arriving at the Restaurant

When you arrive, a host or waiter may greet you with a phrase like:

• “¿Mesa para cuántos?” (Table for how many?)
• “¿Tienen reservación?” (Do you have a reservation?)

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If you have a reservation, you can say:

• “Sí, tenemos una reservación para [your name].” (Yes, we have a reservation for [your name].)

If not, you can simply respond with:

• “No, no tenemos reservación.” (No, we don’t have a reservation.)

Once you’re seated, the waiter might ask you if you’d like something to drink.

You can answer with your drink of choice:

• “Quiero un vaso de agua, por favor.” (I’d like a glass of water, please.)
• “Un café, por favor.” (A coffee, please.)
• “Un refresco, por favor.” (A soda, please.)

2. Looking at the Menu

The menu is typically divided into different sections: appetizers (entrantes or aperitivos), main courses (platos principales), and desserts (postres). You might also see special offers of the day (plato del día or menú del día).

If you’re unsure about something on the menu, don’t hesitate to ask the waiter:

• “¿Qué me recomiendas?” (What do you recommend?)
• “¿Qué es esto?” (What is this?)
• “¿Qué lleva?” (What does it have in it?)

3. Placing Your Order

Once you’re ready to order, you can get the waiter’s attention by saying:

• “Disculpa” (Excuse me.)

To order a specific dish, use the phrase:

• In many countries, you can just state the name of the dish. For example:
  • “Una paella, por favor.” (A paella, please.)

For some people, that may feel incredibly rude to not say the equivalent of “I’d like…” You could also say “Me pones”, “Me gustaría” or “Quisiera” before the name of the dish, but that’s not necessary. Adding “por favor” at the end makes the sentence polite in Spanish.

If you have dietary restrictions, you may need to ask:

• “¿Este plato tiene gluten?” (Does this dish have gluten?)
• “¿Hay opciones vegetarianas?” (Are there vegetarian options?)

4. During the Meal

If you need something during the meal, like more water or bread, you can politely ask:

• “¿Me puedes traer más agua, por favor?” (Can you bring me more water, please?)
• “¿Nos puedes traer un poco más de pan?” (Can you bring us a little more bread?)

To express that the food is delicious, you can say:

• “Está delicioso.” (It’s delicious.)
• “Me encanta este plato.” (I love this dish.)

5. Asking for the Check

Once you’ve finished your meal, you’ll need to ask for the check. To do this, you can say:

• “La cuenta, por favor.” (The check, please.)

If you’re paying separately, you might want to ask:

• “¿Podemos pagar por separado?” (Can we pay separately?)

Once you’ve paid, it’s common to thank the staff. A simple “Gracias” (Thank you) will go a long way. If the service was particularly good, you can say:

• “Muchas gracias por todo.” (Thank you very much for everything.)

6. Final Tips

• Use “por favor” and “gracias” to be polite.
• Pay attention to regional differences: In some countries, tipping is more common than in others.
• Listen carefully to how locals interact with restaurant staff. You might pick up new vocabulary or phrases.

Now you’re ready to enjoy a meal in Spanish! Practice these phrases, and soon, you’ll be ordering like a local. ¡Buen provecho!