Why Learn Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary?
When you’re dining in a Spanish-speaking country or at a Spanish restaurant, understanding and speaking basic Spanish can:
- Enhance your dining experience by allowing you to interact more easily with staff.
- Help you understand the menu more deeply, especially since many dishes and ingredients don’t have direct translations into English.
- Make you more comfortable and confident in a different cultural setting.
Even if you don’t speak Spanish fluently, a few key words and phrases can make a big difference!
Basic Restaurant Vocabulary in Spanish
Let’s start by learning some essential Spanish words that you will encounter in almost every restaurant.
Spanish Word |
English Translation |
Restaurante |
Restaurant |
Mesero/Mesera |
Waiter/Waitress |
Camarero/Camarera |
Waiter/Waitress (Spain) |
Menú |
Menu |
Carta |
Menu (often in Spain) |
Mesa |
Table |
Cliente |
Customer |
Comida |
Food |
Bebida |
Drink |
Platos |
Dishes |
Cuenta |
Bill |
Propina |
Tip |
Servicio |
Service |
Cocinero/Cocinera |
Cook |
These words are the building blocks. You’ll hear them repeatedly, and using them will help you navigate through the dining experience.
Spanish Phrases for Arriving at a Restaurant
When you first arrive at a restaurant, you’ll likely need to interact with a host or hostess. Here are some useful phrases for this situation.
Common Phrases for Greeting and Asking for a Table:
- Hola, buenas tardes. – Hello, good afternoon.
- ¿Tienen mesa para dos? – Do you have a table for two?
- ¿Cuánto tiempo de espera? – How long is the wait?
- Una mesa para cuatro, por favor. – A table for four, please.
- ¿Puedo ver el menú? – Can I see the menu?
- ¿Tienen una mesa afuera/adentro? – Do you have a table outside/inside?
Ordering Food and Drinks in Spanish
Now, you’re seated and ready to order. Here’s how to do that in Spanish.
Phrases for Ordering Drinks:
- Quisiera una botella de agua. – I’d like a bottle of water.
- Para mí, una copa de vino tinto. – For me, a glass of red wine.
- ¿Qué refrescos tienen? – What soft drinks do you have?
- ¿Tienen cerveza artesanal? – Do you have craft beer?
- Voy a tomar un jugo de naranja. – I’ll have an orange juice.
Phrases for Ordering Food:
- ¿Me recomienda algún plato? – Can you recommend a dish?
- Voy a pedir la paella. – I’m going to order the paella.
- Para mí, el filete de res. – For me, the beef steak.
- Me gustaría probar el gazpacho. – I would like to try the gazpacho.
- De primero, quiero la ensalada. – For the first course, I want the salad.
Asking About the Menu in Spanish
Sometimes, the menu may be overwhelming or confusing, especially if there are unfamiliar dishes or ingredients. Here’s how to ask questions about the menu:
Phrases for Menu Questions:
- ¿Qué lleva este plato? – What does this dish have?
- ¿Cuál es el plato del día? – What is the dish of the day?
- ¿Este plato es picante? – Is this dish spicy?
- ¿El pescado está fresco? – Is the fish fresh?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta esta comida? – How much does this meal cost?
Understanding these phrases will help you figure out what’s on the menu and make the right choice.
Spanish Common Types of Food and Dishes
In Spanish restaurants, certain types of food are common across various countries. It’s helpful to know these:
- Entradas – Appetizers
- Plato principal – Main course
- Postre – Dessert
- Carne – Meat
- Pollo – Chicken
- Pescado – Fish
- Mariscos – Seafood
- Verduras – Vegetables
- Arroz – Rice
- Ensalada – Salad
- Sopa – Soup
- Papas (Latin America) / Patatas (Spain) – Potatoes
You might also encounter names of specific dishes, such as tapas (small plates), paella (a famous Spanish rice dish), tortilla española (Spanish omelette), or empanadas (stuffed pastries).
Spanish Phrases for Dietary Restrictions
If you have dietary restrictions, it’s crucial to communicate them clearly. Here are some phrases to help you with that.
Common Dietary Restriction Phrases:
- Soy vegetariano/vegetariana. – I am vegetarian.
- No como carne. – I don’t eat meat.
- ¿Este plato tiene gluten? – Does this dish have gluten?
- Soy alérgico/a a los mariscos. – I’m allergic to seafood.
- ¿Tienen opciones veganas? – Do you have vegan options?
- ¿Este plato tiene lácteos? – Does this dish have dairy?
By knowing these phrases, you’ll be able to make sure that what you order fits your dietary needs.
Spanish Ordering Specifics (Cooking Preferences)
It’s common to be asked how you’d like your meat cooked or if you have preferences for certain ingredients. Here’s how to express those preferences.
How to Express Preferences:
- ¿Cómo quiere su carne? – How do you want your meat?
- Bien cocida – Well done
- A término medio – Medium
- Poco hecha – Rare
- Sin cebolla, por favor. – Without onion, please.
- Con un poco de limón. – With a little lemon.
- ¿Pueden hacer el plato sin sal? – Can you make the dish without salt?
These phrases help you customize your order, ensuring it’s exactly how you like it.
Spanish Phrases for Problems or Requests
Occasionally, you might need to make a request or bring up a problem with your food. Here’s how to handle these situations politely.
Phrases for Making Requests:
- ¿Me puede traer más pan? – Can you bring me more bread?
- ¿Nos trae un poco más de agua, por favor? – Could you bring us more water, please?
- ¿Puedo cambiar mi plato? – Can I change my dish?
Spanish Phrases for Addressing Problems:
- Creo que hay un error en la cuenta. – I think there’s a mistake on the bill.
- Este plato está frío. – This dish is cold.
- Esto no es lo que pedí. – This is not what I ordered.
It’s always good to handle issues calmly and politely in Spanish restaurants, just as you would in your own country.
Paying the Bill
When your meal is over, it’s time to ask for the bill. You can use these phrases to wrap things up.
Spanish Phrases for Asking for the Bill:
- La cuenta, por favor. – The bill, please.
- ¿Nos puede traer la cuenta? – Can you bring us the bill?
- ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta de crédito? – Can I pay with a credit card?
- ¿El servicio está incluido? – Is the service included?
Paying Tips: In Spain, tipping is not as common as in other countries, but it’s appreciated for excellent service. You can leave around 5-10%. In some Latin American countries, tipping is more customary.
Cultural Tips for Eating Out in Spain or Latin America
Before we conclude, here are a few cultural insights to keep in mind:
- Meal Times: In Spain, lunch is often served between 2 and 4 PM, and dinner may not start until 9 or 10 PM. In many Latin American countries, meal times can also be late but may vary.
- Pacing of Meals: Spanish meals, especially in Spain, are often leisurely affairs. Don’t expect to rush through a meal!
- Tapas Culture: In Spain, you might be served a small snack or tapa with your drink, especially in more traditional bars. Enjoy it!
- Be Polite: Always say gracias (thank you) and por favor (please) when interacting with waitstaff.
Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary and Phrases Quiz
Let’s test your knowledge! Try answering the following questions to see how much you’ve learned.
- How do you ask for the bill in Spanish?
- What’s the word for “menu” in Spain?
- How would you say, “I’d like a glass of red wine” in Spanish?
- What phrase would you use if you have a seafood allergy?
- If you wanted to know if a dish is spicy, what would you ask?
Answers:
- La cuenta, por favor.
- Carta
- Para mí, una copa de vino tinto.
- Soy alérgico/a a los mariscos.
- ¿Este plato es picante?
By mastering these phrases and words, you'll be well-equipped to navigate any Spanish-speaking restaurant with ease. Happy dining, and ¡buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)