Spanish phrases for a restaurant in Spain
Quick answer
To order in a Spanish restaurant, say “Para mí, …, por favor” or “Quiero …, por favor”, and ask for the bill with “La cuenta, por favor.” Plan for late meals: lunch is around 2–3:30 PM and dinner rarely starts before 9 PM.
Getting a table and ordering
| Spanish | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Una mesa para dos, por favor. | A table for two, please. | |
| ¿Tienen menú del día? | Do you have a set lunch menu? | weekday lunch: two courses, drink, dessert |
| Quiero paella, por favor. | I’d like paella, please. | fine and normal in Spain |
| Quiero tortilla, por favor. | I’d like tortilla, please. | Spanish potato omelette |
| Para mí, el gazpacho. | The gazpacho for me. | when ordering for a group |
| De primero…, de segundo… | For starter…, for main… | |
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | What do you recommend? | usted with the waiter is fine too |
| Agua del grifo, por favor. | Tap water, please. |
What the waiter will say
| Spanish | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué vais a tomar? | What are you having? | to a group (vosotros) |
| ¿Para beber? | To drink? | |
| ¿Algo más? | Anything else? | |
| ¿Todo bien? | Is everything OK? | |
| Mmm, ¡qué rico! | Mmm, delicious! | what you say back |
Paying
| Spanish | English | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| La cuenta, por favor. | The bill, please. | |
| ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta? | Can I pay by card? | |
| ¿Pagamos a medias? | Shall we split it? | locals often just split evenly |
Meal times in Spain
| Meal | Spanish | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | el desayuno | 7:30–10:00, often just coffee and toast |
| Mid-morning snack | el almuerzo / el aperitivo | 11:00–13:00 |
| Lunch, the main meal | la comida | 14:00–15:30 |
| Afternoon snack | la merienda | 17:30–19:00 |
| Dinner | la cena | 21:00–22:30, later on weekends |
- Tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is plenty.
A real exchange
From mission 5 of Hola Town: your neighbour invites you to dinner on the terrace.
- Neighbour¡Buenas noches, vecino! ¿Cenamos juntos?Good evening, neighbour! Shall we have dinner together?
- You¡Sí, claro!Yes, of course!
- Neighbour¡Genial! ¿Qué quieres cenar?Great! What do you want for dinner?
- YouQuiero paella, por favor.I’d like paella, please.
- Neighbour¡Me alegro! ¿Quedamos mañana a las diez para un café?Glad to hear it! Shall we meet tomorrow at ten for a coffee?
- You¡Vale! Hasta mañana.OK! See you tomorrow.
Watch the Short
Questions people ask
What time is dinner in Spain?
Usually between 9 and 10:30 PM, and later on weekends and in summer. Lunch, the main meal, is around 2 to 3:30 PM.
How do you ask for the bill in Spanish?
“La cuenta, por favor.” To pay by card, ask “¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta?”.
What is the menú del día?
A fixed-price weekday lunch: a starter, a main, bread, a drink and dessert or coffee, usually €12–18.
Do you tip in Spain?
It is not expected. Round up or leave a euro or two if the service was good.