Spanish at the Restaurant
Welcome to our lesson on Spanish at the Restaurant! Being able to order food in Spanish is an essential skill for any Spanish learner. It will not only help you when traveling to Spanish-speaking countries but also allow you to confidently dine at Spanish restaurants in your own city. In this lesson, we’ll cover everything you need to know to navigate a Spanish-speaking restaurant environment.
Essential Vocabulary

Meals and Food Items:
Español | English |
---|---|
el desayuno | breakfast |
el almuerzo | lunch |
la cena | dinner |
la entrada | appetizer |
el aperitivo | appetizer |
la tapa | snack/appetizer |
el plato principal | main course |
la guarnición | side dish |
el postre | dessert |
el plato vegetariano | vegetarian dish |
la carne | meat |
el pescado | fish |
los mariscos | seafood |
el pollo | chicken |
la pasta | pasta |
el arroz | rice |
las verduras | vegetables |
la fruta | fruit |

Drinks:
Español | English |
---|---|
la bebida | drink |
el agua | water |
el vino | wine |
el café | coffee |
el té | tea |
el refresco | soft drink |
la cerveza | beer |
el cóctel | cocktail |

Restaurant Items and Utensils:
Español | English |
---|---|
el menú / la carta | menu |
la mesa | table |
el mantel | tablecloth |
el tenedor | fork |
el cuchillo | knife |
la cuchara | spoon |
la servilleta | napkin |
la copa | glass |
la taza | cup |
el plato | plate |
el bol | bowl |
la jarra | pitcher |
el salero | salt shaker |
el pimentero | pepper shaker |

Restaurant Staff and Areas:
Español | English |
---|---|
el camarero/la camarera | waiter/waitress |
el chef | chef |
el mostrador | counter |
la barra | bar |
Key Verbs:
Español | English |
---|---|
pedir | to order |
comer | to eat |
beber | to drink |
recomendar | to recommend |
traer | to bring |
Flavors and Preparations:
Español | English |
---|---|
picante | spicy |
dulce | sweet |
salado | salty |
amargo | bitter |
ácido | sour |
crudo | raw |
cocido | cooked |
a la parrilla | grilled |
frito | fried |
al horno | baked |
hervido | boiled |

Useful Phrases
Español | English |
---|---|
Una mesa para dos, por favor. | A table for two, please. |
¿Puedo ver el menú? | Can I see the menu? |
¿Qué me recomienda? | What do you recommend? |
Quisiera ordenar… | I would like to order… |
La cuenta, por favor. | The check, please. |
Estoy listo para ordenar | I’m ready to order |
¿Tiene platos sin gluten? | Do you have gluten-free dishes? |
Soy alérgico/a a… | I’m allergic to… |
¿Me puede traer la sal? | Can you bring me the salt? |
Está delicioso | It’s delicious |
Quisiera algo para llevar | I’d like something to go |

Grammar
Using the Conditional for Politeness:
In Spanish, using the conditional tense can make your requests more polite.
Example: “Me gustaría una ensalada, por favor.” (I would like a salad, please.)
Imperatives for Giving Instructions:
Use imperative forms to give polite instructions to the waiter.
Example: “Tráigame el menú, por favor.” (Bring me the menu, please.)
Questions with “qué” and “cuál”:
- “¿Qué platos tienen?” (What dishes do you have?)
- “¿Cuál es el especial del día?” (What is the daily special?)
Example Dialogue
Waiter: Buenas tardes, ¿qué desea ordenar?
Customer: Buenas tardes. ¿Qué me recomienda?
Waiter: Nuestro especial de hoy es la paella de mariscos.
Customer: Suena bien. Me gustaría ordenar eso, por favor.
Waiter: Excelente elección. ¿Y para beber?
Customer: Una sangría, por favor.
Waiter: Perfecto. Se lo traigo enseguida.
Cultural Aspects
In many Spanish-speaking countries, dining is often a leisurely experience. It’s common for meals to last several hours, especially dinner. Unlike in the US, waiters typically won’t bring the check until you ask for it, as it’s considered rude to rush diners.
Tipping practices vary by country. In Spain, for example, tipping is appreciated but not always expected, while in Mexico, a 10-15% tip is customary.
Practical Exercises
- Role-play: Practice ordering a full meal with a partner.
- Translation: Translate these phrases from English to Spanish:
- “I’m ready to order.”
- “Is this dish spicy?”
- “Can I have the bill, please?”
Pronunciation Tips
Practice the rolling ‘r’ sound in words like “arroz” (rice) and “parrilla” (grill).
Pay attention to the stress in words like “menú” (menu) where the emphasis is on the last syllable.
Additional Resources
- Download our “Spanish Restaurant Phrases” app for on-the-go learning.
- Check out these popular Spanish restaurants in your area to practice:
[List would be customized based on the student’s location]
Summary
Remember, the key to success is practice! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Most native speakers appreciate your efforts to speak their language. ¡Buen provecho! (Enjoy your meal!)