Food is central to Spanish and Latin American culture. From tapas in Spain to tacos in Mexico, knowing restaurant vocabulary enhances your culinary adventures and helps you discover local favorites beyond tourist menus.
Restaurant Basics
El restaurante
ehl rehs-tow-RAHN-teh
The restaurant
La mesa
lah MEH-sah
The table
El menú / La carta
ehl meh-NOO / lah KAR-tah
The menu
El camarero / La camarera
ehl kah-mah-REH-roh
The waiter / waitress
La cuenta
lah KWEHN-tah
The bill
La propina
lah proh-PEE-nah
The tip
Getting a Table
You
Buenas noches. ¿Tiene una mesa para dos?
Waiter
Sí, por aquí, por favor. ¿Prefieren dentro o en la terraza?
You
En la terraza, por favor.
Waiter
Perfecto. Aquí tienen la carta.
Una mesa para dos, por favor
OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs
A table for two, please
¿Tienen reservaciones?
TYEH-nehn reh-sehr-bah-SYOH-nehs
Do you have reservations? / Do you take reservations?
Ordering Food
¿Qué me recomienda?
keh meh reh-koh-MYEHN-dah
What do you recommend?
Para mí, el pollo asado
PAH-rah mee, ehl POH-yoh ah-SAH-doh
For me, the roasted chicken
Quisiera probar...
kee-SYEH-rah proh-BAR
I would like to try...
Common Foods
La carne
lah KAR-neh
Meat
El pollo
ehl POH-yoh
Chicken
El pescado
ehl pehs-KAH-doh
Fish
Las verduras
lahs behr-DOO-rahs
Vegetables
El arroz
ehl ah-ROHS
Rice
La ensalada
lah ehn-sah-LAH-dah
Salad
Drinks
El agua
ehl AH-gwah
Water
El vino tinto / blanco
ehl BEE-noh TEEN-toh / BLAHN-koh
Red / White wine
La cerveza
lah sehr-BEH-sah
Beer
El café
ehl kah-FEH
Coffee
El zumo / jugo
ehl SOO-moh / HOO-goh
Juice (Spain / Latin America)
Con gas / Sin gas
kohn gahs / seen gahs
Sparkling / Still (water)
Dining Tip
In Spain, lunch (la comida) is the main meal, typically from 2-4 PM. Dinner (la cena) is late, often after 9 PM. Many restaurants offer a "menú del día" - a set menu at great value!
Dietary Needs
Soy vegetariano/a
soy beh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh/nah
I am vegetarian
Soy alérgico/a a los mariscos
soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah lohs mah-REES-kohs
I am allergic to shellfish
Sin gluten, por favor
seen GLOO-tehn
Gluten-free, please
Paying the Bill
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR
The bill, please
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
ah-SEHP-tahn tar-HEH-tah
Do you accept cards?
¡Estaba delicioso!
ehs-TAH-bah deh-lee-SYOH-soh
It was delicious!
¡Buen provecho! Now you are ready to enjoy the incredible cuisine of the Spanish-speaking world. Next, we will learn how to ask for directions.