Language/Spanish/Vocabulary/Restaurant-Phrases

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Spanish → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Food and Drink → Restaurant Phrases

Restaurant Phrases

In this lesson, you will learn the essential phrases and vocabulary needed to order food and drinks at a restaurant in Spanish. This knowledge will help you navigate menus, interact with waitstaff, and fully immerse yourself in the Spanish dining experience. Whether you're traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or simply want to enhance your language skills, mastering these restaurant phrases will ensure you have a delicious and enjoyable dining experience.

Ordering Food

When dining out in a Spanish-speaking country, it's important to know how to order your food. Here are some common phrases to help you communicate your preferences to the waitstaff:

• Quisiera (pronounced kee-see-EH-rah): I would like...

For example:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
Quisiera una ensalada.	Kee-see-EH-rah oo-nah en-sah-LAH-dah.	I would like a salad.
Quisiera el pollo asado.	Kee-see-EH-rah el poh-yoh ah-SAH-doh.	I would like the roasted chicken.
Quisiera una mesa para dos.	Kee-see-EH-rah oo-nah MAY-sah pah-rah dohs.	I would like a table for two.

• Me gustaría (pronounced may goos-tah-REE-ah): I would like...

For example:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
Me gustaría una hamburguesa.	May goos-tah-REE-ah oo-nah ham-boor-GAY-sah.	I would like a hamburger.
Me gustaría probar el plato del día.	May goos-tah-REE-ah proh-BAR el PLAH-toh del DEE-ah.	I would like to try the daily special.
Me gustaría pedir la cuenta.	May goos-tah-REE-ah peh-DEER lah KWEHN-tah.	I would like to ask for the bill.

• ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (pronounced kwal es lah ess-peh-see-ahl-ee-DAD deh lah KAH-sah): What is the house specialty?

• ¿Qué me recomienda? (pronounced keh meh reh-koh-MEE-en-dah): What do you recommend?

• ¿Tienen algún plato vegetariano? (pronounced tee-EH-nen ahl-GOON PLAH-toh veh-heh-tah-ree-AH-no): Do you have any vegetarian dishes?

Asking for Recommendations

If you're unsure of what to order or want to try something new, don't hesitate to ask the waitstaff for recommendations. Here are some phrases to help you in those situations:

• ¿Cuál es el plato más popular? (pronounced kwal es el PLAH-toh mas poh-poo-LAR): What is the most popular dish?

• ¿Qué me recomienda probar? (pronounced keh meh reh-koh-MEE-en-dah PROH-bar): What do you recommend trying?

• ¿Cuál es el postre más delicioso? (pronounced kwal es el POHS-treh mas deh-lee-see-OH-so): What is the most delicious dessert?

• ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (pronounced kwal es lah ess-peh-see-ahl-ee-DAD deh lah KAH-sah): What is the house specialty?

• ¿Qué plato es típico de la región? (pronounced keh PLAH-toh es TEE-pee-koh deh lah reh-hee-ON): What dish is typical of the region?

Interacting with the Waitstaff

When dining out, it's important to know how to communicate with the waitstaff in a respectful and polite manner. Here are some phrases to help you interact with the waitstaff:

• Por favor (pronounced por fah-BOHR): Please

For example:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
¿Me puede traer la carta, por favor?	Meh PWEH-deh trah-er lah KAR-tah, por fah-BOHR?	Can you bring me the menu, please?
¿Podría traer más agua, por favor?	Poh-DREE-ah trah-er mas AH-gwah, por fah-BOHR?	Could you bring more water, please?
¿Nos podría tomar una foto, por favor?	Nos poh-DREE-ah toh-MAR oo-nah FOH-toh, por fah-BOHR?	Could you take a picture of us, please?

• Gracias (pronounced GRAH-see-us): Thank you

For example:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
Gracias por el excelente servicio.	GRAH-see-us por el ehks-eh-LEHN-teh sehr-BEE-syoh.	Thank you for the excellent service.
Muchas gracias por su amabilidad.	MOO-chas GRAH-see-us por soo ah-mah-bee-LEED.	Thank you very much for your kindness.
Gracias por la recomendación.	GRAH-see-us por lah reh-koh-men-dah-see-ON.	Thank you for the recommendation.

• De nada (pronounced deh NAH-dah): You're welcome

• Disculpe (pronounced dees-KOOL-peh): Excuse me

For example:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
Disculpe, ¿podría traer más servilletas?	Dees-KOOL-peh, poh-DREE-ah trah-er mas sehr-vee-YEH-tahs?	Excuse me, could you bring more napkins?
Disculpe, ¿dónde están los baños?	Dees-KOOL-peh, DOHN-deh es-TAHN los BAH-nyos?	Excuse me, where are the restrooms?
Disculpe, ¿me puede traer la cuenta, por favor?	Dees-KOOL-peh, meh PWEH-deh trah-er lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-BOHR?	Excuse me, can you bring me the bill, please?

Paying the Bill

When it's time to pay the bill, here are some phrases to help you communicate with the waitstaff:

• La cuenta, por favor (pronounced lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-BOHR): The bill, please

• ¿Aceptan tarjetas de crédito? (pronounced ah-sehp-TAHN tar-HEH-tahs deh KREH-dee-toh): Do you accept credit cards?

• ¿Se puede pagar en efectivo? (pronounced seh PWEH-deh pah-GAR en eh-feh-TEE-boh): Can I pay in cash?

• ¿Incluye el servicio? (pronounced een-KLOO-yeh el sehr-BEE-syoh): Is the service charge included?

• ¿Cuánto es en total? (pronounced kwan-toh es en toh-TAHL): How much is it in total?

• ¿Puedo dejar propina? (pronounced PWEH-doh deh-HAR pro-PEE-nah): Can I leave a tip?

• Gracias, vuelvo enseguida (pronounced GRAH-see-us, BWEL-boh en-seh-GEE-dah): Thank you, I'll be right back

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've learned some of the most important phrases and vocabulary for ordering food and drinks at a restaurant in Spanish. Practice using these phrases in various scenarios, and soon you'll feel confident navigating menus and interacting with waitstaff. By immersing yourself in the Spanish dining experience, you'll not only enhance your language skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the rich culinary traditions of Spanish-speaking countries.

Remember to enjoy the delicious food and drinks while savoring the cultural experience!

Table of Contents - Spanish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Spanish

• The Spanish Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Gender
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Subject Pronouns

  ---

Verbs

• Present Tense Verbs
• Ser and Estar
• Reflexive Verbs

  ---

Adjectives

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Demonstrative Adjectives

  ---

Pronouns

• Direct Object Pronouns
• Indirect Object Pronouns

  ---

Common Words and Phrases

• Greetings and Salutations
• Numbers and Counting
• Days of the Week and Months of the Year

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Restaurant Phrases

  ---

Travel and Directions

• Asking for Directions
• Hotel Vocabulary

  ---

Spanish-Speaking Countries

• Spain: History and Culture
• Latin America: History and Culture

  ---

Celebrations and Festivals

• Día de los Muertos
• Cinco de Mayo

  ---

Hispanic Heritage Month

• Notable Hispanic Figures
• Hispanic Influence on Music and Dance

Sources

• 102 Spanish Restaurant Phrases: How To Order Food in Spanish ...
• Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary: 89 Words and Phrases You Should ...
• The Ultimate Vocabulary Guide to Restaurants in Spanish

Other Lessons

• Ordinal Numbers
• Spanish Linking Words
• At Home
• Days of the Week and Months of the Year
• Beach
• Parts of a leaf
• Body parts
• Numbers
• Costarican Slang
• How to Say Hello and Greetings

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