Restaurant Spanish: The Only Phrases You Need to Know

As the waiter inched closer and closer to me my heart would beat harder and harder. I’ll admit it. I was afraid to order.

I was practicing in my head over and over again how to give my order in Spanish. I kept thinking to myself, “Wait is that how you say it?”. “I don’t want to be rude”. What if he doesn’t understand me?”. After 4 years of high school Spanish, I was in Spain, ready to have an authentic Spanish meal. And I couldn’t remember how to order food.

I had what I call Spanish restaurant induced anxiety. The effects include:

Resorting to, “Let’s just cook at the Airbnb…it’s cheaper, right?”. Pointing at menus instead of using your words. And frustrated waiters who think in their head, “Another Gringo”.

If you suffer from restaurant induced anxiety, there is a cure. You won’t have to memorize 89 long phrases. You don’t have to know every food imaginable. In fact, the cure is simple.

In this post, we’re going to reveal to you the only phrases you need to know when dining in a Spanish speaking country. If you’re heading out on a trip to Spain, Mexico or anywhere else in Latin America, this post is the vital guide to get the authentic eats you’re looking for. Whether it’s the hole in the wall joint on the corner or an upscale fine dining.

Most importantly, use these phrases and you’ll blend right in with the locals. (You might even get a compliment or two for your Spanish).

Let’s get started!

The only 5 phrases you need to order anything you want

(no matter where you are in the Spanish speaking world)

Me pones …
Me das …
Tomo …
Quiero …
Para mi …

¿Me pones…?

This is used in Spain to ask for anything in a restaurant, in a bar, when you want to get some pinxtos in Bilbao. Don’t try to translate it literally, because it means something like ‘will you put in front of me’. But let’s say your brain stops working. And you can’t remember any of the other phrases we’re about to teach you, this phrase will get you what you need.

Waiter: Hola (Hello)

You:¿Me pones una cerveza por favor?(Can I have a beer please?)

Fun fact: the phrase came from a time when everyone in Spain carried a sack with them to the market. When you needed something you would go up to the stand and say “put it in the bag”. Crazy how things like that stick with a language for so long.

Tomo …

In Spain they often use the verb tomar (to take) typically when referring to food and drinks. When your friends saytomamos un café, it means let’s go have a coffee! Think in your head I’ll take, instead of I’ll have …

Waiter: ¿Quéquieres para tomar? (What do you want to drink?)

You: Tomouna copa por favor(I’ll take a glass of wine, please)

Notice it’s also in the question, ¿Qué quieres para tomar?

¿Me das…?

If you are in Latin America me das is all you would ever need. It means will you give me? It’s uncomplicated. It’s polite. And you’ll get exactly what you want.

Waiter: ¿Quéquieres para tomar? (What would you like to have)

You: ¿Me das una Corona por favor? (Can you give me a Corona please?)

Quiero…

In Madrid, everyone is more straightforward. That’s why los madrilenos use quiero to order a beer, more tapas. Whatever your stomach seeks, it shall be granted. And don’t worry, it’s not rude to say. In fact, it was Shakespeare who said brevity is the soul of wit. There is no simpler way to tell someone what you want than to say “I want”.

Para mi

After the waiter motions to you to order, you say: Para mi + (what you want). For example:

Waiter: ¿Y usted señor? (And you sir?)

You: Para mi, el ceviche, por favor. (For me, the ceviche, please)

And if you want to order for a friend who doesn’t speak Spanish, it works great. Here watch:

Waiter:¿Para usted? (For you?)

You: Para mi, los tacos al pastor. Y para ella, los tacos de camarones (For me, the tacos al pastor. And for her, the shrimp tacos)

Get a FREE PDF Cheat Sheet Of All The Restaurant Phrases You Need To Know Plus More Meal Time Essentials!

What if you’re not sure what you want to order

Because you’re looking for some local flavor? We have the perfect phrase:

¿Qué me recomiendas?

Be prepared to answer more questions from the waiter. But this one is the key to finding something brand new you won’t find back home.

And, what if you need a few more minutes

When you haven’t had the time to look over the menu. And you need some extra time you can use these two phrases:

Todavía no estoy listo (I’m not ready yet)
Necesito más tiempo (I need more time)

Waiter: ¿Estás listo para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)

You: No, todavía no estoy listo. (No, I’m not ready yet)

What if you need something after you order?

This next question will get you anything you need.

¿Me traes … ? (Can you bring me … ?)

Here’s how it works:

Me traes + (what you want) = the waiter will go get it for you.

For example, you can say:

How to get the waiter’s attention

This is always an awkward experience for me until I learned these two phrases:

Disculpa (Excuse me)
From my experience, this is more common in Latin America.

Perdón (Pardon me)
This phrase is common in Spain. If you let this one slip in Latin America don’t worry. No one is going to notice. It’s the difference between saying pardon me or excuse me.

**Should you use túor usted when talking to waiters?**

I wouldn’t worry about being formal or informal in this setting. If you’re in Spain, 99.99% of the time you will use the túform. In Latin America, if the waiter is older than you, then, to be safe, use usted. If the waiter is younger than feel free to usetú.

The questions the waiter will ask you

The flow of a conversation with a waiter follows a standard pattern. Here’s what it will look like:

Question 1: ¿Algo para tomar? (Would you like something to eat/drink?).

Your response: Tomo un agua con gas. (I’ll have a seltzer water).

Question 2: ¿Están listos para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)

Your response:
Me das/me pones/quiero la ensalada con pollo (I’ll have, or I want the chicken salad)
No, necesito más tiempo (No I need more time)
Todavía no estoy listo (I’m not ready yet)

Question 3: ¿Algo mas? (Anything else)

You can respond by saying:
No, gracias (No thank you)
Me pones/me das/quiero/ me traes … (Can you bring me …)

Question 4: ¿Puedo retirar?(Can I take your plate?) or ¿Terminaste? (Are you finished?)

Your response:
Si, gracias (Yes, thank you)
Todavía no(Not yet)

Question 5: ¿Quieres postre? (Do you want dessert?)

Your response:
¡Si, claro! (Yes, of course)
No gracias, estoy a reventar/ estoy lleno (No thanks, I’m full)
No gracias, me hepuesto morado(a) (No thanks, I’m turning purple = I ate too much)

When it’s time to go

Here are the phrases you’ll use when you want to pay the bill.

¿Me traes la cuenta? (will you bring me the check?)
La cuenta, por favor (the check please)

The waiter will ask:
¿Quieres pagar con tarjeta o efectivo? (Do you want to pay with a card or cash?).

If you say card, the waiter will ask: ¿Débito o credito? (Debit or credit).

Let’s get another round

But how do you say something like:

Can we get another round?

Can I get that on the side?

I really dislike…

To give you a cheat sheet on everything you’ve learned here plus a deeper look into the nuance of ordering food in Spanish, we created a phrase book of the 50+ phrases perfect for sounding like a native speaker while you’re at the restaurant or out drinking.

Check it out below:

Alright, let me dive into this with a touch of flair! If you're feeling the jitters at a Spanish restaurant and your anxiety peaks as the waiter approaches, worry not—I've got your back. I've spent years immersed in Spanish-speaking cultures, savoring everything from casual street food to fine dining experiences. So, when it comes to ordering in Spanish, you're in expert hands.

The article you shared is a goldmine of practical tips for navigating Spanish-speaking restaurants with finesse. It breaks down the essential phrases you need to not only survive but thrive in your culinary adventures. Let's break it down:

"Me pones…": This gem is your go-to phrase, especially in Spain. It's versatile, meaning something like "will you put in front of me." Use it when you're a bit flustered, and it works like a charm. Imagine being in Spain and smoothly asking, "¿Me pones una cerveza por favor?" Bam, you've ordered a beer like a local, and here's a fun fact about the historical roots of the phrase.
"Tomo…": When in Spain, think "tomar" (to take) for ordering food and drinks. Instead of saying "I'll have," it's "Tomo una copa por favor." Smooth, right?
"¿Me das…?": Take this phrase to Latin America, and you're golden. It means "will you give me?" Simple, polite, and effective. For instance, "¿Me das una Corona por favor?" lands you that cold Corona.
"Quiero…": Madrid keeps it straightforward, and so can you. Use "Quiero" to boldly state your desires, whether it's a beer or more tapas. Shakespeare would approve.
"Para mi…": After the waiter cues you to order, just say "Para mi" followed by your choice. It's not only a smooth move but also great for ordering for a friend who might be Spanish-challenged.
"¿Qué me recomiendas?": Seek local flavors with this phrase. It opens the door to culinary adventures, and the waiter becomes your guide to something new.
"Todavía no estoy listo" / "Necesito más tiempo": No rush. If you need a few more minutes, politely say you're not ready yet. It's all about enjoying the experience.
"¿Me traes…?": The Swiss Army knife of phrases. Add what you want, and the waiter will make it happen. "¿Me traes la cuenta?" for the bill, or "¿Me traes más pan?" for more bread.
Getting the waiter's attention: In Latin America, it's "Disculpa," and in Spain, it's "Perdón." Master these, and you'll never awkwardly wave your hand for service again.
"Tú" or "Usted" with waiters: Keep it simple. In Spain, use "tú" almost always. In Latin America, if the waiter is older, go for "usted." If younger, "tú" is your ally.
The waiter's questions: A dance of questions and responses. From "¿Algo para tomar?" to "¿Quieres postre?"—you're equipped for the entire meal journey.
Paying the bill: Wrap it up with "¿Me traes la cuenta?" or "La cuenta, por favor." And if you're asked card or cash, decide between "Débito o credito?"

It's not just about ordering; it's about blending in, enjoying the culture, and maybe even earning compliments for your Spanish prowess. So, there you have it—a crash course in culinary diplomacy. ¡Vamos a comer!

Restaurant Spanish: The Only Phrases You Need to Know - Happy Hour Spanish (2024)