If you’re planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country, knowing basic Spanish vocabulary at the restaurant can be incredibly helpful. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for the bill, or simply making small talk with the waitstaff, having a basic understanding of Spanish can make your dining experience more enjoyable.
In this article, you will learn some essential Spanish restaurant vocabulary that you can start using right away. Let’s start!
Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary
Here are some essential phrases and terms to help you order food in more local traditional places, where they might not speak English.
Common Phrases and Expressions
- Buen provecho – Enjoy your meal
- Gracias – Thank you
- Pedir – To order
- La cuenta – The bill
- Propina – Tip
Key Food and Drink Terms
- Dish – El plato
- Drink – La bebida
- Dessert – El postre
- Menu – El menú
- Drinks – Las bebidas
- Dishes – Los platos
- Meat – La carne
- Fish – El pescado
- Ensalada – Salad
- Coffee – El café
- Vegetarian – Vegetariano/a
- Seafood – Los mariscos
- Appetizer – El aperitivo
- Desserts – Los postres
- Ham – El jamón
- Cheese – El queso
- Cake – El pastel
- Beer – La cerveza
- Fruits and Vegetables – Las frutas y verduras
Restaurant Interactions
- Waiter – El camarero
- Waitress – La camarera
- Restaurant Staff – El personal del restaurante
- Ordering – Hacer el pedido
- Bill – La cuenta
- Tip – La propina
- Efectivo – Cash
- Tarjeta – Credit card
- Order Food – Pedir comida
- Reservation – La reserva
Breakfast Terms in Spanish
If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, you can ask for “desayuno” which means breakfast in Spanish. You can also order coffee which is “café” in Spanish. If you want to add milk to your coffee, ask for “café con leche“.
Spanish Lunch Phrases
For lunch, you can ask for “almuerzo” which means lunch in Spanish. If you want to order a specific dish, you can use the phrase “quiero el plato del día” which means “I want the dish of the day”. You can also ask for “gazpacho” which is a cold soup made from vegetables and served as an appetizer.
Spanish Dinner Language
If you’re dining in the evening, you can ask for “cena” which means dinner in Spanish. You can also ask for “paella” which is a traditional Spanish rice dish that is usually served for dinner. If you want to try the house specialty, ask for “especialidad de la casa“.
Requesting Items in Spanish
In this section, I’ll cover some common vocabulary you’ll need to know when you’re at the table.
To request items at the table, you can use the following phrases:
- “Por favor” – Please
- “¿Me da…?” – Can you give me…?
- “Necesito” – I need
- “¿Me trae..?” – Can you bring me…?
If you need something specific, you can use the following vocabulary:
- “La mesa” – The table
- “El plato” – The plate
- “La porción” – The portion
- “El tenedor” – The fork
- “El cuchillo” – The knife
- “La cuchara” – The spoon
- “La servilleta” – The napkin
- “El vaso de agua” – The glass of water
- “La sal” – The salt
- “La pimienta” – The pepper
Food Preparation and Preferences in Spanish
If you have specific food preferences or want your food prepared in a certain way, you can use the following phrases:
- “¿Cómo lo quiere?” – How do you want it?
- “¿Cómo lo prefieres?” – How do you prefer it?
- “Poco hecho” – Rare
- “Medio hecho” – Medium
- “Bien hecho” – Well-done
It’s also helpful to know some basic food preparation vocabulary:
- “Cocido” – Cooked
- “Frito” – Fried
- “Asado” – Roasted
- “A la parrilla” – Grilled
Payment and Tips in Spanish
Once you have finished your meal, it’s time to pay the bill. In Spanish, the bill is called “La Cuenta.” You can ask for the bill by saying “La Cuenta, por favor” or simply “La Cuenta.“
When it comes to paying, you have two options: cash or credit card. In Spanish, cash is “Efectivo” and credit card is “Tarjeta.” Most restaurants in Spain accept credit cards, but it’s always a good idea to ask beforehand to avoid any confusion.
When it comes to tipping in Spain, it’s not mandatory but it’s appreciated. In Spanish, the word for tip is “Propina.” A typical tip is around 10% of the total bill, but you can leave more or less depending on the quality of service you received.
Here’s a summary of the key vocabulary for paying and tipping at a Spanish restaurant:
- La Cuenta – The Bill
- Efectivo – Cash
- Tarjeta – Credit Card
- Pagar – To Pay
- Propina – Tip
Cultural Insights at the restaurant in Spanish
In Spanish culture, dining is seen as a social activity meant to be enjoyed with others. Here are a few dining etiquette tips to keep in mind when dining in a Spanish restaurant:
- Say “¡Buen Provecho!” before you start eating. This is a common phrase used to wish others a good meal.
- Take your time when eating. Spanish meals are meant to be enjoyed slowly and savored.
- It’s common to share dishes when dining with others. Don’t be afraid to try a little bit of everything.
- When drinking, it’s common to say “¡Salud!” or “Chin chin” before taking a sip. This is similar to saying “Cheers!” in English.
Drinks and Beverages in Spanish
At a Spanish restaurant, you will find a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. If you are looking for an alcoholic beverage, you can choose from:
- “cerveza” – beer
- “vino” – wine
- “bebidas” – drinks
If you prefer something non-alcoholic, you can choose from:
- “gaseosa” – soft drinks
- “jugo / zumo” – juice
- “agua” – water
- “agua con gas” – sparkling water
When ordering your drinks, it is important to know the correct terminology. For example, if you want to order a glass of water, you can say “un vaso de agua“. If you want to order a soft drink, you can say “un refresco“. If you are at the bar, you can order a drink by saying “un trago” or “una bebida“.
After your meal, you may want to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. In Spanish, coffee is called “café” and tea is called “té“. You can order your coffee or tea with milk, which is called “con leche“. If you prefer your coffee or tea black, you can order it “solo“. Some Spanish restaurants also offer herbal teas, such as “tilo” camomile or “menta” mint.
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