How do I say I have a food allergy in Spanish?

Say “Tengo alergia a…” followed by the food, for example “Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes” (I am allergic to peanuts). In Latin America cacahuates or maní is used for peanuts in many countries, so show a written note as well.

Do Spanish restaurants have to list allergens?

In the EU, including Spain, food businesses must be able to give you information about the 14 listed allergens when you ask. Rules differ across Latin America, so ask each time and do not assume.

Is it safe to rely on a spoken phrase?

A spoken phrase starts the conversation but is not a guarantee. For a serious allergy, also show the phrase written on your phone, ask the staff to check with the kitchen, and carry your own medication.

What is the word for peanuts in different countries?

In Spain people say cacahuetes. In Mexico and Central America cacahuates is common, and maní is used in much of South America and the Caribbean. Name the nut you mean and show the written word if you can.

Food Allergies in Spanish: Restaurant Phrases for Travelers

Eating with an allergy or a special diet is easier when you can say it clearly. The core pattern is “Tengo alergia a…” (I am allergic to…) and “¿Lleva…?” (does it have…?). This guide gives you the phrases, with audio, and explains how to check a dish.

Say it first

I'm allergic to peanuts
Tengo alergia a los cacahuetes.
TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-khyah ah lohs kah-kah-WEH-tehs
I'm allergic to shellfish
Tengo alergia al marisco.
TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-khyah ahl mah-REES-koh
I'm allergic to dairy
Tengo alergia a los lácteos.
TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-khyah ah lohs LAHK-teh-ohs
Does this contain nuts?
¿Contiene frutos secos?
kohnt-YEH-neh FROO-tohs SEH-kohs
What's in this dish?
¿Qué ingredientes lleva este plato?
KEH eengg-rehth-YEHN-tehs LYEH-bah EHS-teh PLAH-toh

Asking about a dish

Ask before you order. Staff in busy places may answer quickly, so repeat the allergen and ask them to check.

Is this gluten-free?
¿Esto no contiene gluten?
EHS-toh noh kohn-TYEH-neh GLOO-tehn
Do you have gluten-free bread?
¿Tienen pan sin gluten?
TYEH-nehm PAHN seeng GLOO-tehn
Can I get a lactose-free option?
¿Puedo pedir una opción sin lactosa?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER OO-nah ohpth-YOHN seen lahk-TOH-sah
Can I get it without cheese?
¿Puedo pedirlo sin queso?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER-loh seen KEH-soh
Does this contain pork?
¿Esto contiene cerdo?
EHS-toh kohnt-YEH-neh THEHR-thoh
Does this contain alcohol?
¿Contiene alcohol?
kohnt-YEH-neh ahl-koh-OHL

Vegetarian and vegan

Vegetarian dishes are easier to find in cities than in small towns. Some dishes that look vegetarian, such as beans or soups, can be cooked with ham or chicken stock, so ask.

I am vegetarian
Sigo una dieta vegetariana
SEE-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
Do you have vegetarian options?
¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas?
TYEH-nehn ohpth-YOH-nehs beh-kheh-tahr-YAH-nahs
Is this dish vegan?
¿Este plato es vegano?
EHS-teh PLAH-toh EHS beh-GHAH-noh
Do you have vegan options?
¿Tienen opciones veganas?
TYEH-nehn ohpth-YOH-nehs beh-GHAH-nahs
Can I get oat milk instead?
¿Puedo pedir leche de avena en su lugar?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER LEH-cheh theh ah-BEH-nah ehn soo loo-GHAHR

Changing a dish

Can I have it without onions?
¿Puedo pedirlo sin cebolla?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER-loh seen theh-BOH-lyah
Can I have it without garlic?
¿Puedo pedirlo sin ajo?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER-loh seen AH-khoh
Can I have it without cilantro?
¿Puedo pedirlo sin cilantro?
PWEH-thoh peh-THEER-loh seen thee-LAHNT-roh
No sugar, please
Sin azúcar, por favor
seen ah-THOO-kahr pohr fah-BOHR
No salt, please
Sin sal, por favor
seen SAHL pohr fah-BOHR

Phrases to show or say for a serious allergy

I have a serious allergy
Tengo una alergia grave
TEHN-goh OO-nah ah-LEHR-hyah GRAH-beh
Please check with the kitchen
Por favor, consulte con la cocina
pohr fah-BOR kohn-SOOL-teh kohn lah koh-SEE-nah
Even a small amount is dangerous for me
Incluso una pequeña cantidad es peligrosa para mí
een-KLOO-soh OO-nah peh-KEH-nyah kahn-tee-DAHD ehs peh-lee-GROH-sah PAH-rah mee
I need a doctor
Necesito un médico
neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh

A short scene: checking a dish

YouTengo alergia a los frutos secos. ¿Este plato lleva frutos secos?TEHN-goh ah-LEHR-hyah ah lohs FROO-tohs SEH-kohs EHS-teh PLAH-toh YEH-bah FROO-tohs SEH-kohsI am allergic to nuts. Does this dish have nuts?
WaiterUn momento, lo pregunto en la cocina.oon moh-MEHN-toh loh preh-GOON-toh ehn lah koh-SEE-nahOne moment, I will ask in the kitchen.
WaiterLa salsa lleva almendras, pero puede pedirlo sin salsa.lah SAHL-sah YEH-bah ahl-MEHN-drahs PEH-roh PWEH-deh peh-DEER-loh seen SAHL-sahThe sauce has almonds, but you can order it without sauce.
YouSin salsa, por favor. Gracias por comprobarlo.seen SAHL-sah pohr fah-BOR GRAH-syahs pohr kohm-proh-BAHR-lohWithout sauce, please. Thank you for checking.

Common mistakes

Relying on one word. Say the full sentence, and show it in writing too.
Assuming “sin” means safe. Cross-contact in a kitchen can still happen. Ask about it for a serious allergy.
Not knowing the local word for the nut. Peanuts are cacahuetes, cacahuates or maní depending on the country.
Trusting dishes that look vegetarian. Stock and ham are common in soups and bean dishes.
Ordering first and asking later. Ask before you order.

For more, see our Spanish phrases for travel and how to order food in Spanish.