Walking into a restaurant in Spain or Latin America can feel intimidating if you're still learning Spanish. You know what you want to say in English, but when the waiter approaches, your mind goes blank.

I've been there. So have most of my students.

The good news? You don't need perfect grammar to order food. You just need a handful of practical phrases that actually get used in real restaurants. This guide covers everything from getting a table to paying the bill, with pronunciation tips and examples you can start using today.

Getting Seated

1. "Una mesa para dos, por favor"

Meaning: A table for two, please

This is your go-to phrase when you walk into a restaurant. Just swap "dos" for whatever number you need.

Examples:

  • Una mesa para cuatro, por favor. (A table for four, please.)
  • Una mesa para uno, por favor. (A table for one, please.)

Memory trick: Think "una mesa" = "one table" (even though "una" means "a/an" here). The number comes after "para."

2. "¿Tienen una mesa disponible?"

Meaning: Do you have a table available?

Use this when you're not sure if they have space. "Disponible" (dees-poh-NEE-bleh) means "available."

Examples:

  • ¿Tienen una mesa disponible para esta noche? (Do you have a table available for tonight?)
  • ¿Tienen mesas disponibles afuera? (Do you have tables available outside?)

Pronunciation tip: The "d" in "disponible" is soft, almost like "th" in some regions.

3. "Hice una reservación a nombre de..."

Meaning: I made a reservation under the name of...

Perfect for when you've planned ahead. In Spain, they often say "reserva" instead of "reservación."

Examples:

  • Hice una reservación a nombre de Sarah para las ocho. (I made a reservation under Sarah's name for eight o'clock.)
  • Tengo una reserva a nombre de García. (I have a reservation under García.)

Quick note: "A nombre de" literally means "in the name of" you'll use this phrase constantly when picking up orders or checking in anywhere.

Looking at the Menu

4. "¿Me puede traer el menú?"

Meaning: Can you bring me the menu?

Sometimes they forget, or you just want to see it again. "Traer" means "to bring."

Examples:

  • ¿Me puede traer el menú de vinos? (Can you bring me the wine menu?)
  • ¿Nos puede traer el menú de postres? (Can you bring us the dessert menu?)

5. "¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?"

Meaning: What's the house specialty?

Great question when you want to try something local or when you're totally lost.

Examples:

  • ¿Cuál es la especialidad de esta región? (What's the specialty of this region?)
  • ¿Tienen alguna especialidad? (Do you have any specialties?)

Memory trick: "Especialidad" looks like "specialty" easy to remember!

6. "¿Qué me recomienda?"

Meaning: What do you recommend?

Shorter and more casual than asking for the specialty. Waiters usually love this question.

Examples:

  • ¿Qué me recomienda de mariscos? (What do you recommend for seafood?)
  • ¿Qué nos recomienda para compartir? (What do you recommend for us to share?)

7. "¿Esto lleva...?"

Meaning: Does this have...?

Super useful for checking ingredients, especially if you have allergies or preferences.

Examples:

  • ¿Esto lleva maní? (Does this have peanuts?)
  • ¿Esto lleva gluten? (Does this have gluten?)
  • ¿Esto lleva carne? (Does this have meat?)

Pattern to notice: After "lleva," just name the ingredient. Keep it simple.

8. "Soy alérgico/a a..."

Meaning: I'm allergic to...

You need to know this one for safety. Use "alérgico" if you're male, "alérgica" if you're female.

Examples:

  • Soy alérgica a los mariscos. (I'm allergic to shellfish.)
  • Soy alérgico al gluten. (I'm allergic to gluten.)
  • Soy alérgica a las nueces. (I'm allergic to nuts.)

Key vocabulary:

  • Maní/cacahuate = peanuts
  • Nueces = nuts
  • Mariscos = shellfish
  • Lácteos = dairy

9. "Soy vegetariano/a"

Meaning: I'm vegetarian

Just state it clearly. Add "estricto/a" if you're strict about it.

Examples:

  • Soy vegetariano. ¿Qué opciones tienen? (I'm vegetarian. What options do you have?)
  • Soy vegetariana estricta. (I'm a strict vegetarian.)

10. "¿Tienen opciones veganas?"

Meaning: Do you have vegan options?

"Vegano" is pretty universal now. Most restaurants understand this term.

Examples:

  • ¿Tienen opciones veganas en el menú? (Do you have vegan options on the menu?)
  • ¿Este plato puede ser vegano? (Can this dish be vegan?)

Ordering Food

11. "Para mí, el/la..."

Meaning: For me, the...

This is how you actually order. Use "el" for masculine nouns (el pollo, el pescado) and "la" for feminine nouns (la sopa, la ensalada).

Examples:

  • Para mí, el pollo asado. (For me, the roasted chicken.)
  • Para mí, la paella de mariscos. (For me, the seafood paella.)

Why this works: It's super casual and natural this is how locals order.

12. "Quisiera..."

Meaning: I would like...

Slightly more formal than "para mí," but still friendly and polite.

Examples:

  • Quisiera el salmón a la plancha. (I would like the grilled salmon.)
  • Quisiera una ensalada mixta. (I would like a mixed salad.)

Pronunciation: "Quisiera" sounds like "kee-see-EH-rah."

13. "Voy a pedir..."

Meaning: I'm going to order...

Another natural way to order. "Pedir" means "to order/ask for."

Examples:

  • Voy a pedir las enchiladas. (I'm going to order the enchiladas.)
  • Voy a pedir lo mismo que ella. (I'm going to order the same as her.)

14. "De entrada, quiero..."

Meaning: For a starter, I want...

"Entrada" means "appetizer" or "starter." In some places, they say "entrante" or "aperitivo."

Examples:

  • De entrada, quiero las croquetas. (For a starter, I want the croquettes.)
  • De entrada, vamos a compartir los calamares. (For a starter, we're going to share the calamari.)

15. "De plato fuerte, tomaré..."

Meaning: For the main course, I'll have...

"Plato fuerte" or "plato principal" both mean "main course."

Examples:

  • De plato fuerte, tomaré el bistec. (For the main course, I'll have the steak.)
  • De plato principal, quiero el cordero. (For the main dish, I want the lamb.)

16. "¿Cómo viene preparado?"

Meaning: How is it prepared?

Great when the menu doesn't give enough details.

Examples:

  • ¿Cómo viene preparado el pescado? (How is the fish prepared?)
  • ¿Cómo viene el pollo? (How does the chicken come?)

17. "¿Puede ser sin...?"

Meaning: Can it be without...?

Perfect for customizing your order.

Examples:

  • ¿Puede ser sin cebolla? (Can it be without onion?)
  • ¿Puede ser sin picante? (Can it be without spice?)
  • ¿Puede ser sin sal? (Can it be without salt?)

Quick tip: "Sin" means "without" one of the handiest words you'll learn.

18. "Término medio, por favor"

Meaning: Medium, please

For ordering meat. Here's what you need to know:

  • Término rojo/poco cocido = rare
  • Término medio = medium
  • Bien cocido = well done
  • Tres cuartos = medium-well

Examples:

  • El bistec término medio, por favor. (The steak medium, please.)
  • ¿Cómo quiere la carne? Término medio. (How do you want the meat? Medium.)

19. "Al lado, no mezclado"

Meaning: On the side, not mixed

Useful when you want sauce or dressing separate.

Examples:

  • La salsa al lado, por favor. (The sauce on the side, please.)
  • El aderezo al lado, no mezclado. (The dressing on the side, not mixed.)

20. "Para compartir"

Meaning: To share

Say this when you're ordering something for the table.

Examples:

  • Unas patatas bravas para compartir. (Some patatas bravas to share.)
  • Dos pizzas para compartir entre cuatro. (Two pizzas to share among four.)

Ordering Drinks

21. "¿Qué tienen para tomar?"

Meaning: What do you have to drink?

Simple, direct, and perfectly natural.

Examples:

  • ¿Qué tienen para tomar sin alcohol? (What do you have to drink without alcohol?)
  • ¿Qué jugos tienen? (What juices do you have?)

22. "Una botella de agua, por favor"

Meaning: A bottle of water, please

Specify "con gas" (sparkling) or "sin gas" (still) to avoid surprises.

Examples:

  • Una botella de agua sin gas, por favor. (A bottle of still water, please.)
  • Agua con gas para la mesa. (Sparkling water for the table.)

23. "Un vaso de vino tinto/blanco"

Meaning: A glass of red/white wine

"Tinto" = red, "blanco" = white. You'll hear "copa" instead of "vaso" in some places (both mean "glass").

Examples:

  • Una copa de vino tinto de la casa. (A glass of house red wine.)
  • Un vaso de vino blanco, por favor. (A glass of white wine, please.)

24. "Una jarra de sangría"

Meaning: A pitcher of sangria

"Jarra" = pitcher. Great for sharing!

Examples:

  • Una jarra de sangría para la mesa. (A pitcher of sangria for the table.)
  • Media jarra de sangría, por favor. (Half a pitcher of sangria, please.)

25. "Café solo/con leche"

Meaning: Black coffee / coffee with milk

"Solo" = black, "con leche" = with milk. That's your basic coffee order.

Examples:

  • Un café solo, por favor. (A black coffee, please.)
  • Un café con leche y un cortado. (A coffee with milk and a cortado.)

Regional note: In Spain, "cortado" is espresso with a little milk. In Latin America, ask for "café cortado" to be sure.

26. "¿Tienen refrescos?"

Meaning: Do you have soft drinks?

"Refrescos" = sodas/soft drinks. Or you can just name what you want: "Una Coca-Cola, por favor."

Examples:

  • ¿Qué refrescos tienen? (What soft drinks do you have?)
  • Un refresco de naranja, por favor. (An orange soda, please.)

27. "Sin hielo, por favor"

Meaning: Without ice, please

Some travelers prefer this for safety reasons, or just because they don't want watered-down drinks.

Examples:

  • Una limonada sin hielo. (A lemonade without ice.)
  • El jugo sin hielo, por favor. (The juice without ice, please.)

28. "¿Tienen cerveza de barril?"

Meaning: Do you have draft beer?

"Barril" = barrel/draft. In Spain, just ask for "una caña" (small draft beer).

Examples:

  • Una cerveza de barril, por favor. (A draft beer, please.)
  • ¿Qué cervezas de barril tienen? (What draft beers do you have?)

During the Meal

29. "¿Nos puede traer más pan?"

Meaning: Can you bring us more bread?

Swap "pan" for whatever you need: "agua," "servilletas" (napkins), "cubiertos" (utensils).

Examples:

  • ¿Nos puede traer más agua? (Can you bring us more water?)
  • ¿Me puede traer otra servilleta? (Can you bring me another napkin?)

30. "Falta un plato"

Meaning: A dish is missing

Use this when someone's food hasn't arrived yet.

Examples:

  • Falta mi ensalada. (My salad is missing.)
  • Creo que falta un plato. Ordenamos cuatro. (I think a dish is missing. We ordered four.)

31. "Esto no es lo que pedí"

Meaning: This isn't what I ordered

Say it politely mistakes happen.

Examples:

  • Disculpe, esto no es lo que pedí. (Excuse me, this isn't what I ordered.)
  • Yo pedí el pescado, no el pollo. (I ordered the fish, not the chicken.)

32. "Está frío/frío"

Meaning: It's cold

When your food arrives lukewarm. They'll usually take it back and heat it up.

Examples:

  • Disculpe, la sopa está fría. (Excuse me, the soup is cold.)
  • El plato llegó frío. (The dish arrived cold.)

33. "Está delicioso"

Meaning: It's delicious

Compliment the food! Waiters and cooks appreciate it.

Examples:

  • Todo está delicioso, gracias. (Everything is delicious, thank you.)
  • El pescado está riquísimo. (The fish is really delicious.)

Bonus words:

  • Riquísimo = super delicious
  • Sabroso = tasty
  • Exquisito = exquisite

34. "¿Me puede traer salsa picante?"

Meaning: Can you bring me hot sauce?

Swap "salsa picante" for any condiment: "ketchup," "mostaza" (mustard), "mayonesa" (mayo).

Examples:

  • ¿Tienen salsa picante? (Do you have hot sauce?)
  • ¿Me puede traer sal y pimienta? (Can you bring me salt and pepper?)

35. "Un poco más de tiempo, por favor"

Meaning: A little more time, please

When the waiter asks if you're ready to order and you're not.

Examples:

  • Necesitamos un poco más de tiempo. (We need a little more time.)
  • Cinco minutos más, por favor. (Five more minutes, please.)

36. "Ya estamos listos para ordenar"

Meaning: We're ready to order now

Signal the waiter when you've decided.

Examples:

  • Disculpe, ya estamos listos. (Excuse me, we're ready now.)
  • Cuando pueda, estamos listos para ordenar. (When you can, we're ready to order.)

Dessert and After

37. "¿Tienen postre?"

Meaning: Do you have dessert?

Or ask for "la carta de postres" (dessert menu).

Examples:

  • ¿Qué postres tienen? (What desserts do you have?)
  • ¿Me puede traer la carta de postres? (Can you bring me the dessert menu?)

38. "Para el postre, quiero..."

Meaning: For dessert, I want...

Order your sweet ending.

Examples:

  • Para el postre, quiero el flan. (For dessert, I want the flan.)
  • Vamos a compartir un tiramisú. (We're going to share a tiramisu.)

39. "¿El postre viene con helado?"

Meaning: Does the dessert come with ice cream?

Good question to ask before ordering.

Examples:

  • ¿El brownie viene con helado? (Does the brownie come with ice cream?)
  • ¿La tarta viene con crema? (Does the cake come with cream?)

40. "Solo un café, gracias"

Meaning: Just a coffee, thanks

When you're full but want something to sip.

Examples:

  • Solo un café y la cuenta, por favor. (Just a coffee and the check, please.)
  • Para mí solo un té. (For me, just a tea.)

Asking for the Bill

41. "La cuenta, por favor"

Meaning: The check, please

Your most essential phrase for leaving. In Spain, you might hear "la nota" instead of "la cuenta."

Examples:

  • Cuando pueda, la cuenta por favor. (When you can, the check please.)
  • ¿Nos trae la cuenta? (Can you bring us the check?)

Cultural note: In many Spanish-speaking countries, waiters won't bring the check until you ask it's considered rude to rush diners.

42. "¿Aceptan tarjeta?"

Meaning: Do you accept card?

Always smart to ask, especially in smaller places.

Examples:

  • ¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito? (Do you accept credit card?)
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? (Can I pay with card?)

43. "¿Está incluida la propina?"

Meaning: Is the tip included?

In some countries, service is included. When in doubt, ask.

Examples:

  • ¿La propina está incluida? (Is the tip included?)
  • ¿Cuánto es de propina aquí? (How much is the tip here?)

Tipping guide:

  • Spain: 5-10% or round up
  • Mexico: 10-15%
  • Argentina: 10%
  • Most places: Check if "servicio" is on the bill

44. "Vamos a pagar separado"

Meaning: We're going to pay separately

When you're splitting the bill.

Examples:

  • ¿Podemos pagar separado? (Can we pay separately?)
  • Cada uno paga lo suyo. (Each person pays their own.)

45. "Vamos a dividir la cuenta"

Meaning: We're going to split the check

Another way to say you're splitting it.

Examples:

  • Vamos a dividir la cuenta entre tres. (We're going to split the check three ways.)
  • ¿Puede dividir la cuenta por favor? (Can you split the check please?)

46. "Yo invito"

Meaning: I'm treating / It's on me

Use this when you want to pay for everyone.

Examples:

  • No, yo invito esta vez. (No, I'm treating this time.)
  • Déjame invitarte. (Let me treat you.)

Nice to know: "Invitar" literally means "to invite," but in restaurant context it means "to treat."

47. "Quédese con el cambio"

Meaning: Keep the change

Simple way to tip when paying cash.

Examples:

  • Quédese con el cambio, gracias. (Keep the change, thank you.)
  • El cambio es para usted. (The change is for you.)

Emergency and Special Situations

48. "¿Dónde está el baño?"

Meaning: Where is the bathroom?

You'll need this one. "Baño" in Latin America, "aseo" or "servicio" in Spain.

Examples:

  • Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño? (Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)
  • ¿Los baños están por aquí? (Are the bathrooms around here?)

49. "Necesito un doctor"

Meaning: I need a doctor

Serious phrase for serious situations, like choking or allergic reactions.

Examples:

  • Necesito un doctor, por favor. Es urgente. (I need a doctor, please. It's urgent.)
  • Llame a una ambulancia. (Call an ambulance.)

50. "Hubo un error en la cuenta"

Meaning: There was an error in the check

When the math doesn't add up.

Examples:

  • Disculpe, creo que hubo un error en la cuenta. (Excuse me, I think there was an error in the check.)
  • Esto no lo pedimos. (We didn't order this.)

Practice Time

Now let's see if these phrases stuck with you!

Fill in the Blanks

  1. Una mesa para ___, por favor. (three people)
  2. ¿Me puede traer el ___? (menu)
  3. Soy ___ a las nueces. (allergic)
  4. Para mí, ___ pollo asado. (the)
  5. ¿Puede ser ___ cebolla? (without)
  6. La ___, por favor. (check)

Answers:

  1. tres
  2. menú
  3. alérgico/a
  4. el
  5. sin
  6. cuenta

Translation Challenge

Translate these to Spanish:

  1. I would like the grilled fish.
  2. Can you bring us more water?
  3. The soup is cold.
  4. Do you have vegan options?
  5. We're going to split the check.

Answers:

  1. Quisiera el pescado a la plancha.
  2. ¿Nos puede traer más agua?
  3. La sopa está fría.
  4. ¿Tienen opciones veganas?
  5. Vamos a dividir la cuenta.

Your Next Steps

You've just learned 50 phrases that'll cover pretty much any restaurant situation you'll face. The key now is actually using them.

Next time you're at a Spanish restaurant even one in your hometown try ordering in Spanish. Start with the easy stuff: "Una mesa para dos" and "La cuenta, por favor." Once those feel natural, add in your food order and maybe a question or two.

Don't worry about perfect pronunciation right away. Most waiters will appreciate the effort and help you along. The whole point is communication, not perfection.

One trick that helps my students: write your top 10 phrases on your phone's notes app before going out. Glance at them if you blank out. After a few meals, you won't need the cheat sheet anymore.

What phrase are you going to try first? Pick one, practice it a few times, and use it this week. You'll be surprised how quickly these become second nature.

¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)