If you’re planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and want to make the most of your dining experience, learning Spanish restaurant vocabulary is an essential step. Whether you’re enjoying tapas in Spain, savoring paella, or exploring Latin American cuisine, knowing the right words and phrases will enhance your experience and help you navigate through any restaurant setting. This guide provides you with a comprehensive list of over 50 key phrases and words to help you order food, understand the menu, and communicate politely with restaurant staff.
Basic Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary
To kickstart your dining experience, here are some fundamental terms that will help you communicate with the restaurant staff, whether you’re making a reservation or asking for a menu.
- El restaurante / El bar – The restaurant / The bar
- Tengo una reserva para dos personas – I have a reservation for two people
- Una mesa para cuatro, por favor – A table for four, please
- Perdone – Excuse me (polite way to get attention)
Now that you’ve learned how to get the waiter’s attention and make a reservation, let’s explore how to ask for the menu and order food.
Spanish Phrases for Ordering Food
Once you’re seated, it’s time to peruse the menu. Here are some phrases you’ll need:
- ¿Puedo ver el menú / la carta? – Can I see the menu?
- El menú del día – Today’s menu/specials
- Un menú de precio fijo – A fixed menu (usually two or three courses for a set price)
- Desayuno, almuerzo, cena – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
When ordering, you can choose between tú (informal) and usted (formal), depending on the situation. If unsure, it’s always safe to use the formal “usted.”
- ¿Qué quiere(s)? / ¿Qué va(s) a tomar? – What would you like (to eat)?
- ¿Qué me recomienda(s)? – What do you recommend?
- Me pone(s) … por favor – Can you give me … please?
- Me trae(s)… porfa – Can you bring me … please (informal)?
Drinks and Common Spanish Food
Here are some basic words and popular dishes to help you navigate the beverage and food menu:
Drinks
- Un vaso de agua – A glass of water
- Una caña – A beer
- Una copa de vino blanco/ vino tinto – A glass of white/red wine
- Un tinto de verano – A popular Spanish drink made from red wine and soda water or lemonade
- Un zumo de naranja / jugo de naranja – Orange juice
Common Restaurant Food Items
Here’s a breakdown of popular food-related vocabulary in Spain and Latin America:
Seafood
- Camarones – Shrimp (e.g., Camarones a la plancha – Grilled shrimp)
- Cangrejo – Crab (e.g., Cangrejos rellenos – Stuffed crabs)
- Langosta – Lobster (e.g., Langosta a la parrilla – Grilled lobster)
- Pescado – Fish (e.g., Pescado a la veracruzana – Fish Veracruz-style)
Meat
- Chorizo – Sausage (e.g., Chorizo al vino – Sausage in wine)
- Jamón – Ham (e.g., Jamón serrano – Serrano ham)
- Lomo de cerdo – Pork loin (e.g., Lomo de cerdo al horno – Baked pork loin)
- Bistec – Steak (e.g., Bistec a la mexicana – Mexican-style steak)
Fruits
- Manzana – Apple (e.g., Tarta de manzana – Apple tart)
- Naranja – Orange (e.g., Ensalada de naranja – Orange salad)
- Plátano – Banana (e.g., Platanos fritos – Fried plantains)
Personalizing Your Order
If you need to ask about portion sizes or the ingredients in a dish, here are some helpful phrases:
- ¿Este plato viene con …? – Does this dish come with …?
- Vamos a compartir – We are going to share
- Me trae un poco de sal/azúcar, porfa – Can you bring me some salt/sugar, please?
If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or have allergies, use these expressions to explain your preferences:
- Soy vegetariano/a – I am vegetarian
- Tengo alergia (a las nueces/ los mariscos) – I am allergic to (nuts/seafood)
- El postre tiene cacahuetes – The dessert has peanuts
Spanish Restaurant Etiquette
Learning proper restaurant etiquette in Spain or Latin America will help you be polite and respectful:
- ¡Que aproveche! / Buen provecho – Bon appétit (a phrase said before meals)
- Gracias – Thank you
- Este postre está muy rico – The dessert is very tasty
- Permiso – Excuse me (when moving past someone)
Conclusion: Enhancing Your Spanish Restaurant Experience
Mastering Spanish restaurant vocabulary not only enhances your dining experience but also helps you communicate confidently in Spanish-speaking environments. Whether you are ordering tapas in Spain or enjoying a delicious meal in Mexico, this vocabulary guide provides the essentials you need to navigate any restaurant.
For further improvement, consider taking the International English Test (IET) to assess your language proficiency. It can help you practice your Spanish skills and enhance your communication abilities in both professional and casual settings.