Study How To Order Meals in Spanish With Examples + Audio
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The best method to order meals in Spanish at a restaurante (restaurant) or puesto (meals stand) is to say: ¿Me trae…por favor? (Will you deliver me…please?). It’s to the purpose, well mannered, and all it is advisable do is strive your finest at announcing the menu merchandise.
With this information, you’ll additionally study vocabulary and well mannered phrases to navigate a eating expertise from begin to end. You’ll cowl dealing with a reservation, understanding components of the menu, inquiring about components, discussing dietary restrictions, ordering meals and drinks, and asking for la cuenta (the verify).
The best way to order meals in Spanish
When ordering meals in Spanish, you should use related expressions in the identical manner as me trae…? Don’t overlook so as to add a pleasant “good day” in Spanish reminiscent of buenas tardes (good afternoon) and por favor (please). It will work at a café (coffeeshop), puesto de helados (ice cream stand) or a restaurante.
No matter you do, don’t translate actually from English, as saying puedo tener (can I’ve) shall be a giveaway that you simply’re not comfy ordering meals in Spanish. There are many methods to say “can I’ve” in Spanish, and these ones are commonest in eating places.
| Spanish | English |
| Me gustaría… | I would love… |
| Me gustaría pedir/ordenar… | I wish to order… |
| ¿Me pone…? | Will you deliver me…? |
| ¿Me puede traer…? | Are you able to deliver me…? |
| Para mí.. | For me… |
| Quiero… | I would like (casual)… |
| Quisiera… | I would love (formal)… |
| Va a ser… | It’s going to be… |
- Me trae las enchiladas suizas, ¿por favor? = Will you deliver me the enchiladas suizas, please?
- Me pone un taco al pastor, ¿por favor? = I’ll have one taco al pastor, please.
- Quisiera dos bolas para llevar, por favor. = I would love two scoops to go, please.
There are a number of frequent phrases that may enable you navigate your interactions with the workers in an off-the-cuff restaurant in Oaxaca, for instance.
This dialog demonstrates the right way to order in Spanish, utilizing plenty of genuine phrases like those you’d discover in Rosetta Stone’s Phrasebook, which you’ll be able to take together with you within the Rosetta Stone app.
- ¡Bienvenido! ¿Cómo puedo ayudarte? = Welcome! How can I enable you?
- Una mesa para uno, por favor. = A desk for one, please.
- ¿Quieres sentarte adentro o afuera? = Do you need to sit inside or outdoors?
- Afuera, por favor. = Outdoors, please.
- Acompáñame. = Include me.
- Aquí. = Right here.
- ¿Qué te gustaría tomar? = What would you prefer to drink?
- Me gustaría una cerveza, por favor. = I would love a beer, please.
- ¡Aquí tienes! = Right here you go!
- ¿Y qué te gustaría comer? = And what would you prefer to eat?
- No lo sé. ¿Tienes algo vegetariano? = I don’t know. Do you’ve got something vegetarian?
- Sí, tenemos unos deliciosos chilaquiles. = Sure, we’ve got scrumptious chilaquiles.
- Suena perfecto. = Sounds good.
- ¿Es picante? = Is it spicy?
- Sí, es un poco picante. = Sure, it’s a bit of spicy.
- Perfecto. Me gustaría unos chilaquiles, por favor. = Excellent. I would love the chilaquiles, please.
- ¿Algo más? = The rest?
- ¡La cuenta, por favor! = Test, please!
Getting a desk in Spanish
Should you’re headed to a restaurant for a sit-down meal, you’ll be greeted by a bunch. Whether or not a reservation is important could also be a query of the time of day and recognition of the restaurant.
As a walk-in buyer at a casual restaurant, a bunch might ask you ways many individuals are in your celebration.
- ¿Es para comer aquí o para llevar? = For right here or to go?
- Para comer aquí, por favor. = For right here, please.
- ¿Cuántas personas son? = What number of in your celebration?
- Dos, por favor. = Two, please.
- Síganme. = Observe me.
In busier locations, or at extra formal eating places, it’s possible you’ll must make a reservation.
- Quisiera hacer una reserva. = I wish to make a reservation.
- ¿A qué hora llega usted? = What time will you arrive?
- Llegaremos a las siete. = We are going to arrive at seven.
- ¿Cuántas personas son? = How many individuals?
- Somos cuatro personas. = 4.
Within the above dialog, word how the audio system use the conjugation of ser (to be) to say son (you all are) and somos (we’re) when discussing the variety of individuals within the celebration. Spanish is commonly not translated word-by-word, however as a substitute by full concepts.
| Spanish | English |
| a nombre de | within the identify of |
| adentro/dentro | indoors |
| afuera | outdoors |
| disponible | out there |
| el tiempo de espera | the wait time |
| la terraza | out of doors seating |
| para las # | for # o’clock |
| para # personas | for # individuals |
| ¿Podemos sentarnos…? | Can we sit…? |
| una mesa para # | a desk for # |
The best way to order drinks in Spanish
Should you’re in a bar or a restaurant, drink orders are often first or alongside the menu. Many vacationers study easy drink orders reminiscent of un agua con fuel, por favor (one glowing water, please), however there are alternative ways your server would possibly pose the query.
In a casual setting, you would possibly hear quick phrases which are extra informal and to the purpose. Take note of the general state of affairs. A busy server might not assume you’re impolite, however would admire your brevity.
- ¿Algo para tomar? = One thing to drink?
- Sí, una cerveza, por favor. = Sure, a beer, please.
There are many native audio system who use much more direct sounding phrases, even utilizing the crucial or command type, however accompanied with a well mannered tone, a smile, and a “please” in Spanish.
- Dame un café, por favor. = Give me a espresso, please.
- Quiero un té con limón. = I desire a tea with lemon.
- Me pones una cerveza, por favor. = Carry me a beer, please.
- Para mí, un agua con fuel. = For me, a glowing water.
The language used may mirror a extra formal setting. Take note of whether or not your server is addressing you with extra formal speech, and select accordingly.
Should you’re involved about usted vs. tú varieties, go for the extra formal verb type and a bit of additional politeness.
- ¿Qué les puedo ofrecer para tomar? = What can I give you to drink?
- Para empezar, quisiera una botella de agua, pero me gustaría ver la carta de vinos, por favor. = To start out, I would love a bottle of water, however I wish to see the wine record, please.
| Spanish | English |
| ¿Para beber?/¿Para tomar? | To drink? |
| ¿Qué les pongo para beber? | What can I get you to drink? |
| ¿Qué van a tomar? | What are you going to should drink? |
| Me gustaría un agua sin fuel, por favor. | I would love nonetheless (non-sparkling) water, please. |
| ¿Me trae un vino tinto, por favor? | Can I’ve a glass of purple wine, please? |
Vocabulary for drinks in Spanish
Realizing the right way to order meals in Spanish is simply step one. Realizing what to order is simply as necessary.
In case your morning espresso is necessary to you, you’ll need to research the distinction between un café con leche (espresso with milk) and un cortado (espresso with rather less milk). In any other case, simply have enjoyable experimenting with the wide range of drinks out there on menus in Spanish-speaking cultures.
| Spanish | English |
| un agua | water |
| …con fuel/sin fuel | glowing/nonetheless |
| un café | espresso (or espresso) |
| un café solo | black espresso |
| una cerveza | beer |
| un cóctel | cocktail |
| un jugo/un zumo | juice |
| una leche | milk |
| una limonada (con limones frescos) | lemonade |
| un refresco | gentle drink/soda |
| un vino blanco | white wine |
| un vino tinto | purple wine |
The best way to order a meal in Spanish
When you’ve seemed over the menu, your dialog will shift to the meals. Be prepared by wanting over el menú/la carta (the menu), which can have a number of components. Phrases range relying on the area and sort of restaurant.
- entradas/primeros platos = appetizers/starters
- tapas/para picar = small snacks typically served with drinks
- segundos platos/platos principales = most important dishes
- ensaladas = salads
- sopas = soups
- acompañamientos = aspect dishes
- postres = desserts
- bebidas = drinks
When the server is able to take your order, it’s possible you’ll be prepared or it’s possible you’ll need to ask extra questions in Spanish.
- ¿Está lista para ordenar? = Are you able to order?
- ¿Tiene alguna pregunta? = Do you’ve got any questions?
| Spanish | English |
| ¿Desean ordenar? | Do you need to order? |
| ¿Están listos (para ordenar)? | Are you prepared (to order)? |
| Estoy dudando entre… y…. | I’m torn between…and…. |
| No sé qué pedir. | I don’t know what to ask for. |
| ¿Qué nos recomienda? | What do you advocate? |
| ¿Qué quieren para comer? | What do you need to eat? |
| ¿Qué van a comer? | What are you going to eat? |
| Sí, pero tengo una pregunta. | Sure, however I’ve a query. |
| Tienes algo con… | Do you’ve got one thing with… |
| Un minuto más, por favor. | Yet one more minute, please. |
| ¿Y para usted? | And for you? |
The best way to ask about dietary wants and preferences
Should you’re lucky sufficient to have the ability to eat adventurously, you gained’t be dissatisfied with the wide range of culinary delights in Spanish-speaking areas.
Many vacationers want to pay attention to ordering meals that fits their well being necessities in addition to particular person tastes and preferences.
| Spanish | English |
| Busco algo bajo en… | I’m on the lookout for one thing low in… |
| …grasa/sodio/carbohidratos/calorías | …fats/sodium/carbs/energy |
| ¿Es picante? | Is it spicy? |
| ¿Lleva…/contiene…? | Does this have… in it? |
| No puedo comer… | I can’t eat… |
| ¿Podría pedir esto sin…? | Might I order this with out…? |
| ¿Se puede hacer sin…? | Can or not it’s made with out…? |
| Soy alérgico/alérgica a… | I’m allergic to… |
| Soy celíaco/celíaca. | I’m celiac. |
| Soy vegano/vegana. | I’m vegan. |
| Soy vegetariano/vegetariano. | I’m vegetarian. |
| Tengo alergias a… | I’m allergic to |
| Tengo que evitar… | I’ve to keep away from… |
Discussing meals allergic reactions and intolerances in Spanish
When you’ve got critical meals allergic reactions, you must also analysis all of the attainable regional names for the components you need to keep away from. For instance, nueces might confer with tree nuts generally in some dictionaries, however your server might perceive it solely to imply “walnut” or “pecan” relying on the nation.
Analysis ideas for worldwide journey with meals allergic reactions forward of time, and be ready to make use of the vocabulary for the precise components you possibly can’t eat, even when it’s a must to present an inventory of the meals you keep away from.
| Spanish | English |
| cacahuetes | peanuts |
| crustáceos | crustaceans |
| frutos secos | tree nuts |
| gluten | gluten |
| huevos | eggs |
| lácteos | dairy merchandise |
| leche | milk |
| mariscos | seafood |
| moluscos | mollusks |
| pescado | fish |
| sésamo/ajonjolí | sesame |
| soja/soya | soy |
| trigo | wheat |
Vocabulary for frequent meals components in Spanish
It will be unimaginable to record the entire scrumptious and conventional meals that you need to strive in every area and from each meals tradition within the Spanish-speaking world, however when you can perceive these most important phrases for meals in Spanish, you’ll be capable to learn the descriptions and ordering meals in Spanish shall be a tasty journey.
Proteínas (proteins)
Use this record simply as a place to begin to find the precise regional specialities that you simply most take pleasure in. Ordering your dinner in Spanish is an effective way to follow the language.
| Spanish | English |
| el atún | tuna |
| los calamares | calamari |
| los camarones | shrimp |
| la carne | meat |
| la carne de cerdo/el cerdo | pork |
| la carne de res | beef |
| los frijoles/las judías | beans |
| los garbanzos | chick peas |
| las lentejas | lentils |
| el pavo | turkey |
| el pollo | rooster |
| el salmón | salmon |
| el tofu | tofu |
Frutas y verduras (vegetables and fruit)
Should you’re on the lookout for one thing a bit extra acquainted, elevate your hamburguesa (hamburger), ensalada (salad), pizza, or pasta together with your favourite toppings, or go away them out.
- con = with
- sin = with out
| Spanish | English |
| el aguacate/la palta | avocado |
| el brócoli | broccoli |
| la cebolla | onion |
| el champiñón/el hongo/la seta | mushroom |
| la lechuga | lettuce |
| la lima | lime |
| el limón | lemon |
| el maíz | corn |
| la papa/la patata | potato |
| el pepino | cucumber |
| el pimiento | bell pepper |
| la piña | pineapple |
| el tomate | tomato |
| la zanahoria | carrot |
Otros ingredientes (different components)
You’ll make sure to select a dish that fits your tastebuds when you can order utilizing particular vocabulary to your favourite sabores (flavors).
| Spanish | English |
| el aceite | oil |
| el ajo | garlic |
| el arroz | rice |
| el azúcar | sugar |
| el cilantro | cilantro |
| el coco | coconut |
| la crema | cream |
| la mantequilla | butter |
| la miel | honey |
| la pimienta | black pepper |
| el queso | cheese |
| la sal | salt |
| la salsa | sauce |
| el vinagre | vinegar |
| el yogur | yogurt |
Questions and solutions through the meal in Spanish
Your server might drop off your meals and want you ¡Buen provecho! or ¡Qué aproveche! which is an equal of “Bon appetit” in French.
When you’re having fun with your meal, your server would possibly verify in on you, or it’s possible you’ll discover that you simply’re lacking one thing at your desk and must ask for it. They could additionally merely need to know the way your meal goes. When discussing how your meals tastes, use estar (to be) as a substitute of ser (to be).
- ¿Cómo está la pasta? = How does the pasta style?
- Está buena, gracias. = It’s good, thanks!
| Spanish | English |
| ¿Algo más? | One thing extra? |
| Disculpe, necesitamos… | Excuse me, we’d like… |
| Disculpe, pero no recibí… | Excuse me, however I didn’t obtain… |
| ¿Necesitan algo? | Do you want something? |
| ¿Sería todo? | Would that be all? |
| ¿Todo en orden? | The whole lot okay? |
| Todo bien, gracias. | The whole lot is nice, thanks! |
| Todo está delicioso. | The whole lot is scrumptious. |
El postre: ordering dessert
Hopefully you’ve saved some room for dessert, and you may nonetheless say that you simply’re “hungry” in Spanish when it’s time for el postre (dessert).
Now that you simply’ve practiced ordering drinks, appetizers, and most important dishes, you’re able to order in Spanish another time. You could not discover galletas (cookies) or helado (ice cream) on the menu, so be open to the number of conventional regional desserts.
- alfajores – crammed sandwich cookies
- arroz con leche – rice pudding with cinnamon
- churros – fried tubes of dough, generally coated in cinnamon and sugar
- dulce de leche – a caramel-like sticky candy topping made with condensed milk and sugar
- espumilla – meringue dessert with quite a lot of flavors
- flan – a vanilla and caramel flavored gelatin pudding
- natilla – custard
- pastel tres leches – three milks cake
- pastelitos de guayaba – pastries with guava
- sopaipilla – fried dough – crunchy on the surface and gentle inside
Asking for the verify in Spanish
Now’s the time to deal with questions of cash in Spanish. When the time involves get the verify, you possibly can deal with the transaction utilizing some primary phrases.
- ¿Quieren la cuenta? = Would you like the verify?
- Sí, queremos la cuenta. = Sure, we would like the verify.
After all, you can too ask for the verify in case your server is permitting you to linger over your desk.
- La cuenta, por favor. = Test please.
Most locations now deliver a conveyable bank card machine to the desk for you, however there are some choices for discussing fee strategies.
| Spanish | English |
| el cambio | the change |
| con tarjeta (de crédito) | with a (credit score) card |
| en efectivo | in money |
| la firma | signature |
| pagar | to pay |
| la propina | the tip |
Displaying your appreciation for the meal in Spanish
As you permit, don’t overlook to say an enormous “thanks” in Spanish to point out your appreciation for an exquisite meal.
- ¡Muchas gracias por todo! = Thanks a lot for all the pieces!
- ¡Gracias por la comida! = Thanks for the meals!
Eating out is an effective way to point out appreciation for an additional tradition, whether or not you’re touring abroad or visiting an area restaurant owned by Spanish-speakers.
Studying the right way to order meals in Spanish, even when you’re making errors alongside the way in which, is one other method to say “thanks” for the expertise. Spanish-speakers will typically admire your effort and shall be useful to you as you proceed to study Spanish.

