How to Order Food in Spanish in a Restaurant

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Let's eat out!

A Complete Guide on How to Order Food and Drinks in Spanish

Are you a food lover? Do you want to order like a local? We will teach you essential Spanish ordering skills! One of the most fun things to do is going out to eat with family or friends!

Let’s learn how to order in Spanish!

We will provide you with useful phrases and vocabulary for your next restaurant visit.

We will also reveal some of our insider tips so you can order like a Spanish local. 

Once you read our post, you will be able to test your Spanish ordering skills on your next restaurant visit.

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Attention!

There is a big chance that you will get hungry reading this post!

Let’s start with this short video, so you get into the context right away!

Useful Phrases

We collected some of the most common Spanish restaurant phrases for you. Find them in the infographic below.

Now you can also check out the video on useful Spanish restaurant expressions.

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Did You Know...

In Spanish, there is a difference between CARTA and MENÚ, look at it:

Making a Reservation

To make a reservation, you can say:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Quiero hacer una reserva para 2 personas el martes a las dos de la tarde, por favor. I’d like to make a reservation for 2 people on Tuesday at 2pm, please.

Usually, they will only ask for your name.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-2-1.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Cuál es su nombre? / ¿A nombre de quién? – What is your name?

When you get to the restaurant, you just have to tell them that you made a reservation.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-3.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Tengo una reserva a nombre de…I have a reservation under (the name of)…

Greeting the Waiter

To greet the waiter in Spanish, you must bear in mind what time of the day it is since they use phrases according to time in Spain.

For more details, check out our blog post about Greeting People in Spanish.

→ For those who want to hear how a local Spanish greeting sounds listen to our podcast!

In Spanish, we say Buenos días from 6 am to 12 pm (before lunch).
People say Buenas tardes after having lunch until 8 pm (approximately).
Finally, we say Buenas noches from 9 pm on.

Ordering Food

One of the best things to do in a Spanish-speaking country is to enjoy the delicious cuisine. So, let’s see how you can order food in Spanish!

Normally the waiter will first ask if you are ready to order and say something like:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-8.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Están listos? Are you ready?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/listos.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Están listos para pedir?Are you ready to order?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ya-saben.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Ya saben que quieren pedir/tomar/comer? Do you already know what you want to order/take/eat?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/desea-pedir.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Desea pedir? Would you like to order?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-20.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Que desea(n) comer? or ¿Qué va(n) a comer? – What would you like to eat?

If you are ready to order you can answer with:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-11.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Sí, estamos listos. Yes, we are ready.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-12.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Sí, por favor.Yes, please.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-21.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Quisiera un bocadillo. I would like a sandwich.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-22.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”] Quería un bocadillo. I want a sandwich.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pediré.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Pediré este plato. I will order this dish.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-24.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Para mí una cerveza, por favor.One beer for me, please.

If you still need some time to study the Spanish menu, you can say:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-13.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Todavía no estamos listos. We are not ready yet.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-14.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Necesitamos unos minutos más. We need a few more minutes.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-15.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Un momento, por favor. One moment, please.

Choosing your local dish

Check out this video to learn the basic Spanish food vocabulary.

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Looking at the menu, you will probably see some familiar words for Spanish food. But, depending on the region, you will find local Spanish words for popular Spanish dishes.

If you want to try something typical of the place, you can ask:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-16.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Cuál es la comida típica de esta región? What is the typical food of this region?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-17.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Qué me recomienda?What do you recommend?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/especialidad.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Cuál es su especialidad?What is your speciality?

Here is a list with the most usual Spanish food vocabulary

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Did You Know...?

In Tenerife, they like to call "French fries" papas fritas instead of patatas fritas.

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If you have a sweet tooth, check out our video for more Spanish dessert vocabulary. There are so many great Spanish sweet treats!

Ordering Drinks

Since a tasty meal usually tends to make us thirsty, we will show you next how to order a drink like a local.

The waiter will usually ask something like:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-25.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Qué van a tomar?What would you like to drink?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-26.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Qué les pongo de beber? What can I bring you to drink?

You can answer with Spanish phrases like this:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-27.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Me gustaría/quisiera una botella de agua, por favor. I would like a bottle of water, please.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-28.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Me trae una cerveza, por favor? Could you bring me a beer, please?

Here is our list of useful typical Spanish words for drinks:

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If you want to know more, take a look at our video about the basic Spanish drinks vocabulary.

Play Video
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Did You Know...?

If you like sangria and want to sound like a Spanish local, order a tinto de verano, or red wine mixed with lemonade.
Give it a try, it’s delicious!

Asking for the Check

You can finish your Spanish restaurant dialogue by telling the waiter:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-29.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]Disculpa, la cuenta, por favor. Excuse me, the check, please.

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-30.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? Can I get the check, please?

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-31.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito? Can I pay by credit card?

Finally, if you enjoyed your stay at the restaurant, let the waiter know by saying:

[mp3j track=”https://letsspeakspanish.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/order-food-in-spanish-audio-32.mp3″ title=”” ind=”n” volslider=”n” flow=”y”]¡Gracias por la deliciosa comida! Thank you for the delicious food!

That’s it for now!

There are many more Spanish words and phrases you can use at a restaurant.

But with this post, you are all set for your next restaurant visit in Spanish!

Was this post handy? What will you eat on your next restaurant visit? Let us know in the comments section!

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