This series will introduce you to everyday conversations in Spanish through a variety of themes. You will learn useful phrases for use while traveling and in everyday life, and learn to speak confidently in real-life situations.
In this post, we will focus on restaurant conversation. Learn phrases and vocabulary for ordering smoothly in Spanish-speaking restaurants.
Conversation: Ordering in a restaurant
Here is a conversation you can use when ordering at a restaurant. Remembering this conversation will help you enjoy your meal smoothly.
A: ¡Buenas tardes! ¿Tienen una mesa para dos personas?
Good afternoon, do you have a table for two people?
B: Sí, por aquí, por favor. ¿Quiere ver la carta?
Yes, this way please. Would you like to see the menu?
A: Sí, gracias. ¿Cuál es el plato del día?
Yes, thank you. What is today's special?
B: Hoy tenemos paella de mariscos.
Today we have seafood paella.
A: ¡Qué rico! Quiero una paella para dos personas y una ensalada, por favor.
Sounds delicious! I'd like a paella for two and a salad, please.
B: Perfecto. ¿Desea algo para beber?
Perfect, would you like something to drink?
A: Sí, dos copas de vino tinto, por favor.
Yes, two glasses of red wine, please.
B: Muy bien. Enseguida les traigo su pedido.
Very good. I'll bring your order right away.
A: Gracias.
Thank you.
Useful phrases
Here are some useful phrases often used in restaurants. They are helpful when ordering and paying the bill, so be sure to keep them in mind.
Quisiera hacer una reserva para dos personas.
I'd like to make a reservation for two people.
Perdone, no tenemos mesas libres hasta las 9.
I'm sorry, we don't have free tables until 9 o'clock.
¿Podría traerme el menú de postres, por favor?
Could you bring me the dessert menu, please?
¿Ya sabe qué desea tomar?
Have you decided what you would like to drink?
¿Qué me recomienda tomar?
What's your recommendation?
Soy alérgico/a a las nueces.
I am allergic to nuts.
¿Tienen algún plato vegano?
Do you have any vegan dishes?
Voy a tomar paella.
I'm going to have a paella.
La cuenta, por favor.
The check, please.
¿El iva está incluido en el precio?
Is the tax included in the price?
Essential vocabulary
It is useful to learn words that are commonly used in restaurants. Knowing these words will help you understand the menu and order easily.
Menú | Menu |
Menú del día | Daily menu |
Menú degustación | Tasting menu |
Taberna | Tavern |
Bufé | Buffet |
Reserva | Reservation |
Pedido | Order |
Pedir | To order |
Servir | To serve |
Entrante | Starter |
Plato principal | Main course |
Acompañamiento | Side dish |
Postre | Dessert |
Alergia - Alérgico/a | Allergy - Allergic |
Celíaco/a | Celiac |
Vegetariano/a | Vegetarian |
Vegano/a | Vegan |
Cuenta | Check |
Pagar | To pay |
Pagar a medias | To split the check |
Invitar | To invite |
Propina | Tip |
Plato del día | Dish of the day/Today's special |
Especialidad de la casa | Specialty of the house |
Libro de reclamaciones | Complaints book |
Zona de fumadores | Smoking area |
Zona de no fumadores | Non-smoking area |
Let's use Spanish for everyday conversation!
In this article, we learned some useful Spanish conversation skills for ordering in restaurants. If you actually try it out in a restaurant, you will enjoy the local atmosphere even more. Please look forward to the next entry in the series, “Spanish for everyday conversation”!
Comments