PhrasePort🇪🇸 Spanish phrases
How to Order Food in Spanish: Tapas, Menú del Día and the Bill
Eating out is a big part of travelling in Spanish-speaking countries, and a few phrases make it easier to order and pay. The key phrases are “Quisiera…” (I would like), “¿Tiene un menú en inglés?” (Do you have a menu in English) and “La cuenta, por favor” (The bill, please).
- I would like...Quisiera...kee-see-EH-rah
- Do you have a menu in English?¿Tiene un menú en inglés?tee-EH-neh oon meh-NOO en een-GLEHS
- Water, pleaseAgua, por favorAH-gwah por fah-VOR
- The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favorlah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
- PleasePor favorpor fah-VOR
How eating out works
- Meal times. In Spain lunch is often from about 2 pm and dinner from about 9 pm. Restaurants may be quiet or closed at 6 pm.
- Menu of the day. Many places offer a fixed-price menú del día at lunch, often with a starter, a main course, a drink and dessert.
- Tapas and sharing. In Spain, bars serve small plates (tapas) with drinks, and raciones are larger plates for sharing.
- The bill. It usually arrives only when you ask for it. Tipping is optional in Spain, where people leave small change, and is more expected in Mexico and some other countries, often around 10 percent.
Getting a table
- Do you have a table available?¿Tienen alguna mesa disponible?TYEH-nehn ahl-GHOO-nah MEH-sah thees-poh-NEEB-leh
- I have a reservation for twoTengo una reserva para dosTEHNG-goh OO-nah reh-SEHR-bah pah-rah THOHS
- How long is the wait?¿Cuánto tiempo hay que esperar?KWAHN-toh TYEHM-poh EYE keh ehs-peh-RAHR
Ordering
- What do you recommend?¿Qué me recomienda?keh meh reh-koh-mee-EN-dah
- Do you have a set menu?¿Tienen un menú fijo?TYEH-nehn OON meh-NOO FEE-khoh
- What does this come with?¿Qué incluye esto?KEH eenk-LOO-yeh EHS-toh
- Can I get this to go?¿Puedo pedir esto para llevar?PWEH-thoh peh-THEER EHS-toh pah-rah lyeh-BAHR
Drinks
- A coffee, pleaseUn café, por favoroon kah-FEH por fah-VOR
Dietary needs and allergies
- I am vegetarianSigo una dieta vegetarianaSEE-goh OO-nah DYEH-tah beh-kheh-tah-RYAH-nah
- Is this dish vegetarian?¿Este plato es vegetariano?EHS-teh PLAH-toh EHS beh-kheh-tahr-YAH-noh
- Is this gluten-free?¿Esto no contiene gluten?EHS-toh noh kohn-TYEH-neh GLOO-tehn
- I'm allergic to peanutsTengo alergia a los cacahuetes.TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-khyah ah lohs kah-kah-WEH-tehs
- I'm allergic to dairyTengo alergia a los lácteos.TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-khyah ah lohs LAHK-teh-ohs
Paying and leaving
- Can we split the bill?¿Podemos dividir la cuenta?poh-THEH-mohs thee-bee-THEER lah KWEHN-tah
- Can I pay by card?¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah
- DeliciousDeliciosodeh-lee-see-OH-soh
Phrases for tapas bars and cafés
- We would like to share a few platesQueremos compartir varias racioneskeh-REH-mohs kohm-pahr-TEER BAH-ryahs rah-SYOH-nehsA ración is a full plate, a tapa a smaller one.
- A coffee with milk, pleaseUn café con leche, por favoroon kah-FEH kohn LEH-cheh pohr fah-BOR
- A small beer, pleaseUna caña, por favorOO-nah KAH-nyah pohr fah-BORIn Spain a caña is a small draught beer.
- Is the tip included?¿Está incluida la propina?eh-STAH een-kloo-EE-dah lah proh-PEE-nah
- The same again, pleaseOtra ronda, por favorOH-trah ROHN-dah pohr fah-BOR
A short scene: lunch with the menú del día
- WaiterBuenas tardes. ¿Qué van a tomar?BWEH-nahs TAHR-dehs keh bahn ah toh-MAHRGood afternoon. What will you have?
- YouDos menús del día, por favor.dohs meh-NOOS dehl DEE-ah pohr fah-BORTwo set menus, please.
- WaiterDe primero, sopa o ensalada.deh pree-MEH-roh SOH-pah oh ehn-sah-LAH-dahFor the starter, soup or salad.
- YouUna sopa y una ensalada, por favor.OO-nah SOH-pah ee OO-nah ehn-sah-LAH-dah pohr fah-BOROne soup and one salad, please.
- YouLa cuenta, por favor.lah KWEHN-tah pohr fah-BORThe bill, please.
Common mistakes
- Arriving for dinner at 6 pm in Spain. Kitchens often open later.
- Waiting for the bill. You usually have to ask for it.
- Ordering a big meal for every course. Portions can be large, so ask what is typical.
- Forgetting to mention allergies. Say it at the start of the order.
For more, see our Spanish phrases for travel and where the bathroom is and how much something costs. All phrases here have audio; ask a native speaker if you need a particular nuance.
Questions travelers ask
Do I need to tip in Spanish-speaking countries?
Customs differ. In Spain a tip is not expected, and people leave small change for good service. In Mexico and many Latin American countries a tip of around 10 percent is common, and sometimes a service charge is already included. Check the bill.
What is a menú del día?
It is a fixed-price lunch menu, usually with a choice of starter, main course, dessert and a drink. It is good value and is usually served only at lunchtime on weekdays.
What are tapas?
Tapas are small plates served with drinks, mainly in Spain. In some cities they come free with a drink, and in others you order and pay for them.
How do I ask for the bill?
Say "la cuenta, por favor". The bill does not usually come until you ask.
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