When traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or dining out at a local Spanish restaurant, knowing some key phrases can greatly enhance your dining experience. In this article, we’ll explore some essential Spanish phrases for ordering food at restaurants, along with their English translations and definitions. These phrases will help you communicate with waitstaff, order your meal, and navigate the menu with greater ease.
Menú (menu)
A list of available food and drink options from which you can choose.
¿Puedo ver el menú, por favor?
Carta (also means menu)
Another term often used to refer to the menu, though it can sometimes specifically mean a wine list or an à la carte menu.
¿Me trae la carta de vinos?
Ordenar/Pedir (to order)
The act of requesting specific food or drink items from the menu.
Voy a ordenar el pollo asado.
Entrante (appetizer)
A small dish served before the main course.
Como entrante, quisiera la sopa de tomate.
Plato principal (main course)
The primary dish of the meal, often consisting of a protein, vegetable, and starch.
Para mi plato principal, elijo el bistec.
Postre (dessert)
A sweet course typically served at the end of a meal.
¿Qué postre me recomienda?
Bebida (drink)
Any liquid for drinking, including water, soda, juice, or alcohol.
Una bebida fría sería perfecta ahora.
La cuenta (the bill/check)
The statement of charges for the meal.
¿Nos podría traer la cuenta?
Propina (tip)
A small amount of money given to waitstaff as a thank you for good service.
Incluiremos la propina en el total.
Mesero/Mesera (waiter/waitress)
The person who serves food and drinks at a restaurant.
El mesero fue muy atento durante nuestra cena.
Reservación (reservation)
An arrangement to have a table held for a specific time.
Tenemos una reservación para las ocho de la noche.
Alérgico/Alérgica (allergic)
Having an adverse reaction to specific food substances.
Soy alérgico a los frutos secos. ¿Este plato contiene alguno?
Vegetariano/Vegetariana (vegetarian)
A person who does not eat meat, and sometimes other animal products, especially for moral, religious, or health reasons.
¿Tiene opciones vegetarianas?
Vegano/Vegana (vegan)
A person who does not eat or use animal products.
Busco un plato que sea completamente vegano.
Sin gluten (gluten-free)
Free from gluten, a mixture of proteins found in wheat and related grains.
¿Podría preparar este plato sin gluten?
Especialidad de la casa (house specialty)
A dish that a restaurant is particularly known for.
Nos gustaría probar la especialidad de la casa.
Recomendación (recommendation)
A suggestion, particularly concerning the choice of food or drink.
¿Cuál es su recomendación para la cena?
Para llevar (takeaway/to go)
Food ordered to be taken out of the restaurant.
Quisiera dos de estos para llevar, por favor.
Understanding these phrases will not only help you order food more effectively but also enhance your overall dining experience by ensuring that you can communicate your dietary needs and preferences clearly. Remember, practicing these phrases before your visit or while ordering can also help you feel more confident. Enjoy your meal, or as they say in Spanish, ¡Buen provecho!
