Ordering at a Restaurant
Use these phrases to confidently navigate eating out in Spanish, from ordering your courses to asking about the menu and settling the bill.
Key Phrases
Para mí, una cerveza bien fría, por favor.
casualFor me, a really cold beer, please.
A very natural, direct way to order in casual settings.
Para beber, me gustaría pedir una botella de agua con gas.
neutralTo drink, I would like to order a bottle of sparkling water.
Yo voy a querer el salmón que viene con verduras.
casualI'm going to have the salmon that comes with vegetables.
Uses a relative clause ('que viene') which is extremely common in spoken orders.
De segundo, me encantaría probar el cordero asado.
neutralFor the main course, I would love to try the roast lamb.
'Me encantaría' is a natural and slightly warmer alternative to 'me gustaría'.
¿Nos traes la cuenta cuando puedas, por favor?
casualCan you bring us the bill whenever you can, please?
Uses the subjunctive 'puedas' to keep the request relaxed and unhurried.
La cuenta, por favor. ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?
neutralThe bill, please. Can we pay by card?
Uses the impersonal 'se puede' to ask a general question about payment.
Perdona, cuando puedas acercarte.
casualExcuse me, whenever you can come over.
In Spain, 'perdona' (informal) is widely used with restaurant staff.
Disculpe, cuando tenga un momento, por favor.
neutralExcuse me, when you have a moment, please.
Uses 'disculpe' and the subjunctive 'tenga' for a polite, respectful distance.
Para empezar, vamos a compartir la tabla de quesos y unas aceitunas.
neutralTo start, we are going to share the cheese board and some olives.
¿Qué nos recomiendas pedir que sea típico de aquí?
casualWhat do you recommend we order that is typical from here?
Notice the subjunctive 'sea' used when asking for a dish with a specific characteristic.
¿Cuál es el plato de la casa que más recomienda?
neutralWhich house dish do you recommend most?
¿Me puede explicar qué lleva exactamente esta ensalada?
neutralCan you explain to me exactly what is in this salad?
Me gustaría saber si la salsa que acompaña la carne es picante.
politeI would like to know if the sauce that comes with the meat is spicy.
Uses the conditional 'gustaría' to ask questions softly without sounding demanding.
Soy alérgico, así que es fundamental que el plato no tenga frutos secos.
neutralI'm allergic, so it's essential that the dish doesn't have nuts.
Uses the subjunctive 'tenga' after an expression of necessity.
¿Sería posible preparar este plato sin gluten?
politeWould it be possible to prepare this dish gluten-free?