20 phrases for ordering, paying and enjoying food. From reservation to tip.
Una mesa para dos, por favor
A table for two, please
¿Tiene mesa en la terraza?
Do you have a terrace table?
La carta, por favor
The menu, please
¿Cuál es el plato del día?
What is the dish of the day?
¿Qué lleva este plato?
What is in this dish?
Soy alérgico a los frutos secos
I am allergic to nuts
Sin picante, por favor
Not spicy, please
Poco hecho, por favor
Rare, please (steak)
¿Tienen menú infantil?
Do you have a kids menu?
Otra ronda, por favor
Another round, please
Está delicioso
It is delicious
Estoy lleno/a
I am full
La cuenta, por favor
The check, please
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Do you accept card?
¿Está incluida la propina?
Is the tip included?
Quédese con el cambio
Keep the change
¿Puedo llevarme las sobras?
Can I take leftovers?
¿Tienen carta de vinos?
Do you have a wine list?
Un café con leche, por favor
A coffee with milk, please
¿Dónde están los servicios?
Where are the restrooms?
In Spain lunch is the main meal (2-4 PM) and dinner is late (9-11 PM). El menú del día is a set lunch menu at a fixed price including drink and dessert. In Latin America meal times vary by country. Tipping: Spain 5-10%, Mexico 10-15%, Argentina the propina is usually added automatically.
1. How do you say 'the menu, please'?
2. What does 'la propina' mean?
3. How do you say 'I'm vegetarian'?
4. What does '¿Qué recomienda?' mean?
5. How do you say 'the bill'?
6. What does 'para llevar' mean?
7. What does 'sin gluten' mean?
8. How do you say 'delicious'?
9. What does 'camarero' mean?
10. How do you say 'a table for two'?
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Restaurant vocabulary is immediately rewarding because you use it right away and staff visibly appreciate the effort. Ordering in Spanish transforms dining from pointing at menus to genuine cultural engagement.
Spanish dining culture: lunch is the main meal (2-4 PM in Spain), dinner starts 9-10 PM. The menu del dia is a set lunch with drink and dessert at a fixed price and is usually the best value.
Start with Quiero or Me pone followed by the dish name. Drinks: Una cerveza, Un vino tinto, Un agua sin gas, Un cafe con leche. Always add por favor to every single request.
Dietary needs: Soy vegetariano/a, Soy alergico/a a + allergen. Sin gluten, Sin lactosa, Sin picante. Clear communication of dietary requirements is essential for both safety and enjoyment.
Sections: entrantes (starters), primeros, segundos (mains), postres (desserts), bebidas (drinks), carta de vinos (wine list). Plato del dia means daily special. Especialidad de la casa means house specialty.
Cooking methods on menus: plancha (grilled), asado (roasted), frito (fried), horno (baked), hervido (boiled), vapor (steamed), crudo (raw), ahumado (smoked). These help decode any Spanish menu.
La cuenta por favor for the check. Se puede pagar con tarjeta? for card payment. Propina incluida? to check if tip is included. Spain: 5-10% tip. Mexico: 10-15% is standard.
For splitting: Podemos pagar por separado? Some restaurants add cubierto (cover charge) or bread charges automatically. Ask Esta incluido el pan? to avoid surprises on the final bill.
In Spain the waiter will not bring the check until you ask which is a sign of respect for your dining time not poor service. Call a waiter with Perdone plus eye contact. Never snap fingers.
Compliments earn genuine goodwill: Esta delicioso, Mis felicitaciones al chef. Spanish restaurant culture values the personal connection between diner and staff significantly more than speed of service.