Ordering at a Restaurant
Essential phrases for arriving, ordering, and paying at a Spanish-speaking restaurant.
Key Phrases
Una mesa para dos, por favor.
neutralA table for two, please.
A simple, standard way to ask for a table when you walk in.
La carta, por favor.
neutralThe menu, please.
Short and direct; a very standard way to address staff.
¿Puede traer la carta, por favor?
politeCan you bring the menu, please?
A slightly softer, more polite alternative using the verb 'poder' (can).
¿Qué tiene la sopa del día?
neutralWhat is in the soup of the day?
Use 'qué tiene' (what does it have) to ask what ingredients a dish contains.
Para mí, el pollo asado.
neutralFor me, the roast chicken.
A very natural, everyday way to state your choice to the waiter.
¿Me puede traer la ensalada, por favor?
politeCan you bring me the salad, please?
A polite way to order, phrased as a request.
Yo voy a tomar una cerveza.
neutralI am going to have a beer.
Use 'tomar' (to take) instead of 'beber' (to drink) when ordering a beverage.
Estuvo todo muy rico.
politeEverything was very delicious.
A nice compliment to give the waiter when they take your empty plates.
La cuenta, por favor.
neutralThe bill, please.
The universal, straightforward way to ask to pay.
¿Nos puede traer la cuenta?
politeCan you bring us the bill?
A more polite way to ask for the check.
¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?
neutralCan you pay with a card?
Essential to ask before assuming they accept credit cards.