¡Hola! Today’s lesson aims at helping you learn the vocabulary, phrases and questions that you needto order your favorite food at a restaurant in Spanish. We have included many examples about food descriptions, ways to ask the waiter for the specialties of the house, ways to make reservations and more. In addition, this lesson will introduce the names of some popular Latin American dishes in Spanish. Let’s start…
Common questions and phrases at the restaurant in Spanish
When you are in the restaurant, the first words you will need aregreetings and farewells like“Hola” and “Mucho gusto”. Besides some greetings, you will need many other expressions, which will be presented next in three different sections:
Describing food and a restaurant’smenu in Spanish
First, it is very important to use the rightadjectives to describe food, that is words such as “Delicioso”, “Sabroso” (delicious), “Feo” (not delicious in this case), “picante” (spicy), “dulce”(sweet) and “salado” (salty), among many others. Sentences describing food in Spanish will make use of the verbs SER and ESTAR, e.g. “El filete está delicioso” and “La comida es sabrosa en ese lugar”. Some essential nouns to have a conversation at a restaurant are: “mesa” (table), “reservación”, “comida”(food), “plato principal” (main dish), “entrada” (appetizer) and “postre” (dessert).
Sometimes, restaurants will have their menu (El menú) in both English and Spanish, which offers learners a great opportunity to practice this topic in a more realistic context.As with all menus, they include prices (precios), a few or many dishes, and of course some special offers. Next, we show you a very simple menu with the names of some dishes in Spanish:

Common questions that customers ask at the restaurant in Spanish
As customers, we may come up with lots of different questions to ask the waiter or any other person at the restaurant, especially if we are there for the first time.Listen to some of the most common things that customers ask and the possible answers for these questions:
Buenos días. Una mesa para dos (personas) por favor. Good Morning. A table for two (people) please. |
Buenas noches. ¿Me puede mostrar el menú por favor? Good night!. Can you show me the menu please? |
Aló, llamo para reservar una mesa para cuatro. Hello? I’m calling to book a table for four. |
¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (Video) How to Order Food at a Restaurant in Mexico | Innovative Spanish What is the restaurant’s specialty? |
¿Qué nos puede recomendar? What do you recommend me? |
¿Qué trae este platillo? What does this dish include? |
¿Hay algún combo disponible? Is there any combo available? |
Ordenaré/Pediré este plato. I will order this dish. |
¿Qué bebidas tiene? What drinks do you have? |
¿Me puede traer la cuenta por favor? Can you get me the bill please? (Video) Fruits and Vegetables in Spanish (Phrases & Tips) - Frutas y vegetales |
Things that waiters say at the restaurant in Spanish
On the other hand, the waiter (el mesero) or the waitress (la mesera) will usually welcome you with a greeting like “Bienvenido, pase adelante por favor” (welcome, please come in) or “Bienvenido, ¿Tiene reservación?. Once you are inside the restaurant, the waiter could say or ask any of these things:
Por favor tome asiento. Please take a seat. |
Permítame llevarlo a su mesa. Let me walk you to your table |
Aquí tiene el menú See Also The 30 best restaurants in NewportLos 20 mejores lugares para visitar en Texas [🥇TOP 2022]Costa Adeje Tenerife - Canary Islands InfoWhere can I do Bungee fitness near me? Sling Bungee fitness: The New Workout Craze Sweeping the Nation | Sling Bungee FitnessHere is the menu |
¿Desea ordenar? /¿Qué le gustaría ordenar? Would you like to order? |
¿Qué le gustaría tomar? What would you like to drink? |
Le recomiendo probar el filete de cerdo a la plancha. I recommend you to try the grilled pork steak. (Video) How to Make a Hotel Reservation in Spanish [Phrases for Booking a Room and More] |
El combo número tres lleva/trae arroz, papas fritas, ensalada y 8 piezas de pollo. Combo number three includes rice, chips, salad and 8 pieces of chicken. |
¡Buen provecho! Enjoy! |
Aquí tiene la cuenta. Here is the bill. |
Listening Activity No.1: Common Latin food in Spanish – La comida latina
There are many typical dishes in Latin America. Sometimes these dishes have the same name across countries, but the recipe is totally different. Mexican food is probably the most famous Latin food in the US, although there are so many great dishes in the rest of the continent. “Pupusas” for instance are representative of “El Salvador”, “Nacatamales” and “El Gallo pinto” are traditional dishes in Nicaragua, and just the same “Bandeja Paisa” is a very important one in Colombia.
Listen to five Latin food descriptions in Spanish and use the pictures to decide which dish the speaker is talking about.
Listening quiz: Latin food at the restaurant in Spanish
Listen to some short recordings in Spanish describing each type of food and choose the picture that is described in the audio.
Conversation script: Latin food descriptions in Spanish
- El ceviche se come en varios países. En Centroamérica incluye pescado adobado en jugo de limón, sal, pimienta negra, cebollas, cilantro, chiles y ajo finamente picados.
- Una empanada es masa de pan rellena con una preparación salada o dulce y cocida al horno o frita. El relleno puede incluir carnes rojas o blancas, pescado, verduras o fruta.
- Para elaborar las pupusas primeramente se necesita una masa, que en El Salvador es elaborada por lo general de maíz molido. Son básicamente una tortilla, pero la diferencia es que en su interior se les agregan otros ingredientes que le dan un sabor único. Se pueden hacer pupusas de queso, de frijoles y muchos otros sabores.
- La base de los tacos son las características tortillas de harina o maíz mexicanas que envuelven el relleno, que suele contener siempre carne de res o de cerdo. Se pueden clasificar los tacos de muy diferentes maneras, una de ellas es por el tipo de carne con que se hacen.
- El gallopinto es uno entre varios platos americanos que involucran en su preparación el arroz y los frijoles, ingredientes considerados parte integral de la cultura de muchos países, en los cuales se pueden encontrar diferentes versiones.
Listening Activity No.2: Atthe restaurant in Spanish –En el restaurante
Listen to a conversation between two friends who are ordering food at a restaurant in Spanish. Pay attention to the way the waiter ask if they have booked a table, the things they say about the dishes in the menu and what they think is delicious or not. Then, solve the quiz about the conversation.
Key phrases in the conversation:
1. “Pasen por aquí por favor” means “Come this way please!”
2. “Me gustaría comer de todo” means “I’d like to try everything”
3. “Voy a pedir/ordenar” means “I will order…”
Listening quiz: Ordering Food At the Restaurant in Spanish
Listen to the conversation again and answer these questions about its content. Press START when you are ready.
Conversation script: Ordering food at the restaurant in Spanish
- Mesero: ¡Buenas noches! ¿Tienen reservación?
- Maritza: ¡Buenas noches! Si, reservamos una mesa para dos personas.
- Mesero: ¿Me puede dar su nombre?
- Maritza: Si claro, mi nombre es Maritza Salgado.
- Mesero: Gracias… confirmado…, pasen por aquí por favor. Aquí está el menú de hoy. Nuestro especial del día es Lomo Relleno.
- Juan: Muchas gracias… Bien Maritza, ¿Qué te gustaría comer?
- Maritza: Todo se ve muy delicioso. Hay pasta, comida china y también tienen comida mexicana…. tacos, burritos y tamales. Me gustaría comer de todo pero no se puede. ¿Tú ya decidiste?
- Juan: Si, creo que voy a ordenar comida mexicana. Voy a pedir un par de tacos de carne y un par de tacos de frijoles. Escuché que la comida mexicana es muy rica en este restaurante.
- Maritza: ¿En serio? Me llama la atención el especial del día, el lomo relleno. Se ve muy delicioso.
- Mesero: Disculpen, ¿qué desean ordenar?
- Juan: Yo voy a ordenar dos tacos carne y dos de frijoles. ¿Qué tiene de tomar?
- Mesero: Tenemos vino, soda y también jugo de frutas.
- Juan: Entonces también quiero un jugo de manzana.
- Maritza: Yo quiero el especial de la casa y una copa de vino.
- Mesero: Está bien, la comida estará lista en unos 15 minutos. Les traeré las bebidas en seguida.
- Maritza: Muchas gracias.
You have made it to the end of this lesson. When you master the key expressions and questions in this lesson, try to find a Latino restaurant nearby and order something to eat in Spanish. Have fun and ¡Buen provecho!
Related Spanish Worksheets:
- Fruits and vegetables in Spanish – PDF Worksheet
- Food in Spanish: conversation cards – PDF worksheet
- At a Fast Food Restaurant in Spanish – PDF Worksheet
- Fruits and Vegetables in Spanish – PDF Crossword Puzzle
FAQs
How do you ask for something at a restaurant in Spanish? ›
This is the most common way of asking: Para llevar, for favor. = For takeout, please. If, on the contrary, you'd like to specify that you'll eat at the restaurant, then just say para comer aquí.
How do you order food in a restaurant conversation? ›Yes sir we want to order desert sure sir for desert we have apple pie lemon tart cream pie and ice
How do you order Spanish at a Mexican restaurant? ›Once you have decided what you want to eat simply say the words yo quiero followed by what you would
What do Spanish waiters say? ›Spanish Restaurant Phrases for Waiters
¿Qué desea comer? - What would you like to eat? ¿Qué desea beber? - What would you like to drink? ¿Están listos para ordenar? - Are you ready to order? ¿Qué desea ordenar? - What would you like to order?
How to order food in Spanish - YouTube
How do you say check in Spanish at a restaurant? ›How do you ask for the check in Spanish? In Spain, you can simply say “la cuenta, por favor” (the check, please) when you catch your server's attention. Another common phrase many locals use is “¿nos cobras cuando puedas?” (literally: “can you charge us when you can?”).
What are some restaurant phrases? ›- English phrase guide. Page 36 of 61. ➔ ...
- excuse me!
- enjoy your meal! bon appétit!
- would you like to taste the wine?
- could we have …? another bottle of wine. some more bread. ...
- would you like any coffee or dessert? do you have any desserts? could I see the dessert menu?
- was everything alright?
- thanks, that was delicious.
Making small-talk at the restaurant - Business English - YouTube
How do you talk to a waiter in a restaurant? ›- Waiter: Welcome, sir. Please have a seat.
- Customer: Thank you.
- Waiter: How can I help you sir?
- Customer: Could I see your menu card before ordering something?
- Waiter: Sure! ...
- Customer: Could you please tell me the famous dish of your restaurant?
- Waiter: Sure! ...
- Customer: Non veg.
Please don't order in Spanish at your local Mexican restaurant, unless you know the employees personally and they're comfortable with it. Otherwise, it could be interpreted as an insult to the waiter's English, even if you don't mean it that way.
How do you get a waiter's attention in Mexico? ›
Attract your server's attention gently.
“Disculpe”–excuse me–works nicely as an attention-getter. You can also add the appropriate honorific–señor for men, of course, señora for women, and señorita for obviously young women.
5 phrases to order food like a native Spanish speaker (learn ... - YouTube
What Spanish people say before eating? ›In Spanish, the phrase buen provecho is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world. However, it is especially common in Mexico. In Mexico, it is our version of the French saying bon appetit or the German mahlzeit—and in my small state of Morelos, we take it very seriously.
How do you attract waiters in Spanish? ›"La cuenta por favor" or the universal sign of appearing to write on your hand.
How do you greet someone in a restaurant in Spanish? ›Things that waiters say at the restaurant in Spanish
On the other hand, the waiter (el mesero) or the waitress (la mesera) will usually welcome you with a greeting like “Bienvenido, pase adelante por favor” (welcome, please come in) or “Bienvenido, ¿Tiene reservación?.
Let's take a look at a few phrases you can use for when you feel like having some pizza in Spanish: Quisiera ordenar una pizza por favor. I would like to order a pizza please. ¿Quieren pedir pizza?
How do you order a table in Spanish? ›Ask for a table: "Una mesa para dos, por favor." This sentence literally translates to "A table for 2, please." If you're dining with more or fewer people than this, substitute "para dos" with one of these numbers: 1 person: "Para una persona" 3 people: "Para tres" 4 people: "Para cuatro"
How do you order coffee in Spanish? ›The simplest and most efficient way to order a coffee (regardless of which Spanish-speaking country you're in) is by saying “Un café, por favor” (A coffee, please). That's easy enough, but what do you do if your barista or waiter asks “¿Cómo lo quiere?” (How would you like it?).
How do you say can I have the check please? ›How to Say "Check Please" in Spanish - YouTube
What does check Please mean? ›Meaning. Definition: An informal way to ask for the bill at a restaurant. The phrase “check, please” is an informal way to ask for the bill at a restaurant. The origin of this phrase is unclear, although its first recorded use was in the mid-19th century. This phrase is most commonly used in American English.
How do you pronounce la cuenta por favor? ›
- lah. kwehn. - tah. pohr. fah. - bohr.
- la. kwen. - ta. poɾ fa. - βoɾ
- la. cuen. - ta, por. fa. - vor.
When the waiter asks “Are you ready to order?” or “Can I take your order?” If you are ready, you can give your order. Use “I'd like…” or “I'll have…” to introduce your order and expression “for starter/appetizer” to talk about the first course and “for main course” to talk about the second course of food you will eat.
How do you ask for a table at a restaurant in Spain? ›Asking for a table in Spanish + At the Restaurant - YouTube
How do you order a table in Spanish? ›Ask for a table: "Una mesa para dos, por favor." This sentence literally translates to "A table for 2, please." If you're dining with more or fewer people than this, substitute "para dos" with one of these numbers: 1 person: "Para una persona" 3 people: "Para tres" 4 people: "Para cuatro"
How do I ask for check in Spanish? ›Spanish — La cuenta, por favor.
How do you order in a restaurant? ›- 1) After welcoming and seating the guests return to the table to take the order. ...
- 2) In case the guest opt for Buffet then inform guest to start serving themself from the buffet. ...
- 3) In Case guest opts for A la carte then ask the host below question:
- Greet your diners the minute they walk in the door.
- Use respectful titles – sir, ma'am and miss work well.
- Don't interrupt.
- Listen intently and pay attention to what they want.
- Be thoroughly versed on your menu. Ask questions and repeat their orders to make sure you get it right.
How to Say "Check Please" in Spanish - YouTube
How do you get a waiter's attention in Spanish? ›For most other things, like ordering another drink or asking for another napkin, it's common to get a waiter's attention by waving (think half way between raising your hand and quickly reaching out to an invisible floating object). Many people also call the waiter over by saying perdón, which means “excuse me.”
What are five rules for eating out at a restaurant in Spanish speaking countries? ›- Allow the host to begin eating first: Don't dive into your dish before the host. ...
- Use your eating utensils: You will be given a fork, a spoon, and a knife to use while eating. ...
- Keep your hands visible: Place your hands on either side of the plate when not eating.
What are some examples of good restaurant etiquette? ›
- Keep at least one hand free. ...
- You can eat and drink while sitting, but it is always better to stand and greet.
- Make good eye contact. ...
- Avoid approaching two people engaged in deep conversation. ...
- Make eye contact. ...
- Always offer your contact information and know when it is time to go.
no sé qué cenar.
How do you order at a bar in Spanish? ›Use words like dame (give me), ponme (get me), or quiero (I want) before specifying your drink of choice. How do I get another drink in Spanish? If you're seated or standing at the bar, you can simply catch the bartender's eye and ask for otro (literally “another”).
How do you order coffee in Spanish? ›The simplest and most efficient way to order a coffee (regardless of which Spanish-speaking country you're in) is by saying “Un café, por favor” (A coffee, please). That's easy enough, but what do you do if your barista or waiter asks “¿Cómo lo quiere?” (How would you like it?).
How do you ask for a restaurant check in Mexico? ›- Bill / check (restaurant) in Spanish.
- Asking for the bill / check in Spanish.
- ¿Me trae mi cuenta, por favor? ...
- La cuenta, por favor – The bill, please.
- La cuenta, plis – The bill, please.
- ¿Te / lo molesto con la cuenta? ...
- ¿Cuánto te debo? ...
- ¿Me cobras, por favor? / ¿Me cobras, porfa?
“Check, please.” (3 sec) La cuenta, por favor. (slow) La cu-en-ta, por fa-vor. La cuenta, por favor.
How much do you tip in Spain? ›Restaurants. Spaniards generally never tip at restaurants with table service, and if they do it's next to nothing because a service charge is usually included in the bill (look for the servicio incluido mention). If service is not included (servicio no incluido), you should tip up to 10%.