Essential Spanish Vocabulary – Ordering Food in a Restaurant
Many people all over the world are familiar with the typical Spanish paella, tapas, potato omelet, or sangria. While these remain classic dishes, Spanish cuisine offers much more than the traditional favorites. In fact, some of the world's most innovative and highly-regarded chefs hail from Spain, and its culinary traditions have made this country one of the greatest places to enjoy a delicious meal.
Whether it is a five-star restaurant or a classic tapas bar, tourists can savor all the magnificent flavors that the country offers. This guide will get you started down the path of gastronomic delight.
| |
Phrase in Spanish |
Phrase in English |
Pronunciation |
|
Reservar mesa |
Book a table |
Reh-servahr me-sah |
|
Mesa para cuatro |
Table for four |
Me-sah parah qwatro |
|
Terraza |
Terrace |
Terah-za |
|
Zona de no fumadores |
Non-smoking area |
Zo-nah deh noh fuhmah-dorehs |
|
Restaurante |
Restaurant |
Restaw-rahn-teh |
|
Comida rápida |
Fast-food |
Kohmeedah rah-peedah |
|
Vegetariano |
Vegetarian |
Veh-hetareeah-noh |
|
Italiano |
Italian |
Eetaliah-no |
|
Marisquería |
Seafood restaurant |
Mahr-iskehreeah |
|
Bar de tapas |
Tapas bar |
Bar deh tahpas |
|
Camarero/a |
Waiter/Waitress |
Kahmahrehro |
|
Carta |
Menu |
Kahr-tah |
|
Carta de vinos |
Wine list |
Kahr-tah deh vee-nohs |
|
¿Qué me recomienda? |
What do you recommend? |
Keh meh reh-komee-ehndah |
|
¿Sirven…? |
Do you have…? |
Seer-vehn |
|
Tomaré… |
I'll have… |
Toh-mah-reh |
|
Refresco |
Soft drink |
Reh-frehskoh |
|
Vino tinto |
Red wine |
Veenoh teentoh |
|
Vino blanco |
White wine |
Veenoh blahn-koh |
|
Cerveza |
Beer |
Zehr-veh-thah |
|
Agua sin gas |
Still water |
Ahgwa seen gas |
|
Agua con gas |
Sparkling water |
Ahgwa kon gas |
|
Una botella de… |
A bottle of… |
Uhnah boteyah deh… |
|
Verdura |
Vegetables |
Ver-dooh-rah |
|
Pescado |
Fish |
Peskah-doh |
|
Carne |
Meat |
Kahrneh |
|
Aperitivo |
Appetizer |
Ah-peh-reetee-voh |
|
Pan |
Bread |
Pahn |
|
Sopa |
Soup |
Soh-pah |
|
Ensalada |
Salad |
Ehn-sah ladah |
|
Postre |
Dessert |
Postreh |
|
Café |
Coffee |
Kah-feh |
|
Té |
Tea |
Teh |
|
Manzanilla |
Chamomile |
Man-zah-neeyah |
|
Servilleta |
Napkin |
Sehr-veeyetah |
|
Tenedor |
Fork |
Teh-nehdor |
|
Cuchillo |
Knife |
Koo-chee-yoh |
|
Cuchara |
Spoon |
Koo-cha-rah |
|
Plato |
Plate |
Plah-toh |
|
Vaso |
Glass |
Vah-soh |
|
La cuenta |
The bill / check |
Lah kwen-tah |
|
Propina |
Tip |
Proh-peenah |
|
Tarjeta de crédito |
Credit card |
Tahr-hetah deh krehdeetoh |
|
Efectivo |
Cash |
Efek-tee-voh |
Slang/Commonly Used Expressions:
| |
Expression in Spanish |
Expression in English |
Pronunciation |
|
¡Buen provecho! |
Enjoy your meal! |
Bwen proh-veh-choh |
|
¡Está delicioso! |
It's delicious |
Ehstah dehlee-zeeoh-soh |
|
Poco hecho |
Rare (meat) |
Pohko ehchoh |
|
Al punto |
Medium |
Ahl Poon-toh |
|
Muy hecho |
Well done |
Moo-ee ehchoh |
|
¡Quédese con el cambio! |
Keep the change |
Keh-dehseh kon el kahmbeeoh |
|
¿Dónde está el servicio? |
Where is the restroom? |
Dohndeh ehstah el sehrvee-zee-oh |
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