Deciphering the special vocabulary that comes with eating out in Spain can confuse even those of us who took Spanish lessons in school.
From learning to ask for the bill in Spanish to ordering the perfectly cooked steak, this guide has you covered with the essential words and phrases to help you tackle any restaurant in Spain like a pro.

You do not need to be fluent in Spanisheat amazingly in spain, but there are a few words that will make the experience a little easier. From deciphering different parts of itmenuTo order exactly what you want, these 16 foodie words and phrases will help you eat (and order!) like a local.
Contents saving
1. The bill: check or invoice
2. On Point: medium rare
3. Serving: large shared plate
4. Tapa: small plate
5. Pintxo: Small dish with a skewer
6. Today's menu: Daily breakfast special
7. Caña: small draft beer
8. Dessert: Dessert
9. Vino Tinto: Red wine
10. Vino Blanco: white wine
11. Glass of water (from the tap): Glass of water from the tap
12. Cortado: Coffee with a splash of milk
13. Café con Leche: half coffee, half milk
14. Grilled: Grillet
15. Grilled: Grilled
16. Grilled: Grillet
Eating out in Spain Vocabulary FAQ
See also
1. The bill: check or invoice

Before we get into the words to order, let's start with the end of the meal. It's important to know how to ask for the bill in Spanish, especially since you usually won't get it until you get the bill!
When dining out in Spain, asking for the check is as easy as catching the attention of the waiter or bartender and gesturing as if you're writing in the air. If you still want to use words, go for it"by check".
According toSpanish restaurant etiquette, it is considered impolite for waiters to bring the check before guests ask for it. Let me know when you are ready to pay. otherwise you may have to wait a bit!
Way to use: The check, please.(The check, please.)
2. On Point: medium rare

If you want to fully enjoy delicacies such asbeef(ribeye) most of thementrecote(filet), you need to know how to order steak in Spanish.
You can ask for your steak to be cooked any way you like, but the most common preparation is "accurateOversat bogstaveligt betyder det "on point" - som kød tilberedt til perfektion. Dette er den sætning, du skal bruge, hvis du vil have en medium sjælden bøf, når du spiser ude i Spanien.
Ask to order a rare steak"rare"A well done steak would be"well doneNote that waiters usually only ask how you want your meat cooked if you've ordered a steak.
Way to use:Ribeye for me on the spot, please.(I'd like my steak cooked medium rare, please.)

When dining out in Spain, you will find that many meals are served family style. Large dishes ordered for the whole table are calledportions.
The only difference betweenportionsand the most famous tapas are usually only their size! The general rule of thumb is to order as much as possibleportionsif there are people eating, put them all in the center of the table and arrange the food on individual plates.
INrationgenerally provides enough food for three or four people. There is also another medium-sized option in the range betweentapasIportions: fromhalf portions, which is usually enough for two people.
Way to use:Can you give us some croquettes?(We would like to have a shared plate of croquettes.)
4. Tapa: small plate

Contrary to popular belief outside of Spain, the word "tapa" only refers to the size of a plate, not what's on it!Tapasthey are only small amounts of food.
When eating out in Spain, a tapas can be anything from two triangles of cheese or a bowl of olives to a mini hamburger or even a small portion of paella.tapas recipesthey are easy to recreate at home.
In cities like Madrid and Granada, you sometimes get free tapas when you order a drink. Elsewhere they cost money, but it's worth it because of the quality and innovation they often represent.
Way to use: I love this site. The tapas here are delicious!(I love this place. The small plates here are delicious!)
5. Pintxo: Small dish with a skewer

Head to northern Spain and you'll find bars with colorful, eye-catching little morsels stuck onto slices of bread. Welcome to the land of pintxos!
"Pintxo" is simply the Basque word for "tapa". In the Basque tradition,pintxosthey are often more elaborate than tapas and are almost always served on a medallion of bread with a skewer inside.
Way to use: I would like a pintxo with goat cheese and caramelized onions.(I'd like a plate of goat cheese and caramelized onions.)
6. Today's menu: Daily breakfast special

Daily menus at a fixed price, e.gmenu of the day, is a beautiful thing when eating out in Spain. They usually consist of three or four choices, each for a first and second course, bread, drink and dessert or coffee. All this will cost you only €10-16!
menu of the daythey are only served for lunch and usually only on weekdays. Some restaurants also offer lunchweekend menuon weekends, but tends to be more expensive than its midweek counterpart.
Way to use: What do you have for today's menu?(What are today's menu options?)
7. Caña: small draft beer

INcaneit's a short glass of draft beer.white hairit is usually around 200 ml (about ¾ cup).
Beer in Spain is usually ordered by size, as many bars only serve the local pasta on tap. So instead of ordering a Mahou or an Estrella Damm, you would ask for onecane. Howeverexplosion of craft beer in Spainthis is slowly changing and adding more beer options seemingly every week!
Way to use: Can you give me a fishing rod?(I'd like a small draft beer, please.)
8. Dessert: Dessert

This is without a doubt the best part of any Spanish meal, whether eating out or at home!
Dessert in Spainit can be anything from a piece of chocolate cake to a piece of fruit. The first usually comes after dinner, while the second more often after lunch. When you place an ordermenu of the day, your dessert is often included in the price of your meal.
Another important word related to the dessert isAt home(homemade). Many restaurants in Spain offer packaged products such as yogurt, ice cream bars or chocolate on their dessert menu. While some of them may be decent, nothing beats homemade candy.
When you get a dessert menu in Spain, be sure to ask what items are actually made in the restaurant!
Way to use:AtDo you have homemade desserts?(What homemade desserts do you have?)
9. Vino Tinto: Red wine

If you are not picky about wine, ask for oneRed wineyou get a glass of red wine. But if you want to be more specific, keep this in mindwine in Spainit is almost always ordered by the region, not the grape.
When it comes to red wines in Spain, two regions largely dominate drink menus and wine lists: Rioja and Ribera. The former is Spain's most famous wine region even abroad, but the latter is starting to make its money.
Rioja wines tend to be lighter and fruitier than their more tannic and juicier Ribera counterparts. Both regions produce mainly tempranillo grapes.
Way to use: Please give me a glass of Rioja red wine.(I would like a glass of red wine from Rioja.)
10. Vino Blanco: white wine

Spain's most prized white grape is albariño, which comes from the northwestern province of Galicia. Albariño is an exception to the rule of region in Spain, as it is the name of the grape, not the region.
Wines from the Rueda region, generally lighter and fruitier than albariños, are taking off in the small but mighty world of Hispanic whites. Even thoughRiojaproduces some excellent white wines which, although not as well known as their red counterparts, are worth a try!
Way to use:What white wines do you have?(What types of white wine do you have?)
11. Glass of water (from the tap): Glass of water from the tap
To get a glass of water in a restaurant in Spain, you have to specifically ask for it. If you just askwater, the server will almost always bring a large bottle.
For a plain old free glass of tap water it is necessary to indicate that you want a glass (vaso) water, as opposed to a bottle.faucetresources from the tap, to be more clear.
Tap water in Spainit is safe to consume. In many coastal cities such as Barcelona and Malaga, however, the taste may differ slightly. Although it won't make you sick if you consume it, it's better to ask for bottled water (a bottle of water), which tastes much better!
Way to use:Can you give us two glasses of tap water?(Can you bring us two glasses of tap water?)
12. Cortado: Coffee with a splash of milk
Order coffee in Spaincomes with a whole new set of vocabulary. First there are the humbleSection. Literally translated,Sectionmeans "to cut". And in the food world, the coffee is cut.
INSectionit's a shot of espresso 'cut' with a splash of steamed milk and a spoonful of foam on top. You can use it as a noun: “I would like to have oneSection.” Or you can use it as an adjective: “I would like to have onecut coffee."
In addition to the culinary world,Section"cut" means more literally, as in "Hsom in cortado-eksorcisme?” (Did you cut your hair?).
Way to use:Dashun cut me off please? (Could you please bring me an espresso with a splash of skimmed milk?)
13. Café con Leche: half coffee, half milk

The most popular Spanish coffee drink is the ubiquitous onecoffee with milk, or Spain's answer to a latte. This drink consists of equal parts coffee and milk. You can also specify the temperature you want the milk at: go for itcalienteif you want warm milk, ormoderatefor hot milk that prevents you from burning your tongue!
Way to use: I want coffee with milk, with warm milk. (I would like a coffee with hot milk.)
14. Grilled: Grillet

If you fancy something grilled,bakedit is the right way. This term is only used when items are grilled over flame and charcoal. Usually only meat or squid is cookedbaked.
Way to use:The grilled squid is much richer than the Galician squid. (Grilled octopus is much tastier than boiled Galician octopus.)
15. Grilled: Grilled

The grillliterally refers to the metal grill plate placed over a cooking fire. In practice, many of the articles are servedbakedthey are actually cooked in a grill pan on the stove, not over a fire. You do get the nice grill marks though!
Way to use: I prefer roasted vegetables to roasted vegetables.(I prefer roasted vegetables to sautéed ones.)
16. Grilled: Grillet

INironis a large, flat metal plate common in most restaurants. In Spain, from fish fillets togarlic mushroomsthey are baked in this type of hot pan. If the menu doesn't state how an item is prepared, it's safe to assume it will bebaked.
Way to use: I like grilled salmon, but I don't like smoked salmon.(I like fried salmon, but I don't like smoked salmon.)
Eating out in Spain Vocabulary FAQ
What iswhite hairfor spanish food?
white hairare the small draft beers that are popular tapas accompaniments. Because of their small size, they stay cold for the time it takes you to eat your dish. That's why you often see locals drinking them while nibbling on tapas in Spanish bars!
What is barbecue in Spanish?
The Spanish word for grill isthe grill. However, in restaurants in Spain, this term usually refers to food cooked in a grill pan on a hot plate. If you want something grilled, search the termbaked.
How do you ask for a check in Spanish?
In Spain you can just say "The check, please" (please check) when you get your server's attention. Another common expression many locals use is "Will you charge us when you can?'(literally "Can you charge us when you can?"). Both are a great way to ask your server to give you the bill.
How do you ask for a table for two in Spanish?
Although you can technically sit in Spanish restaurants (there is no host or hostess), it is generally considered polite to get a waiter's attention and ask if a table is available, especially during busy peak times. The restaurant is busy.
Please request"A table for two(a table for two), or regardless of how many people are in your party. If there are available tables, the server usually invites you to take the table you want.
Notification Update:This post was originally published on December 3, 2015. Updated with new text and images on June 1, 2021 and republished on May 24, 2023.
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See also
Spain Food Guide: Spanish Restaurant Etiquette
Eating out in Spain: an expat's guide
Spain food guide: where to eat and drink in Spain?
Spain's Dining Guide: Spanish Menu Terminology
FAQs
What do Spaniards say before eating? ›
In Spanish, the phrase buen provecho is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world. However, it is especially common in Mexico. In Mexico, it is our version of the French saying bon appetit or the German mahlzeit—and in my small state of Morelos, we take it very seriously.
What are 20 Spanish words? ›- Hola (Hello)
- Adios (Goodbye)
- Gracias (Thank you)
- Por favor (Please)
- Si (Yes)
- Claro (Of course)
- No (No)
- Amor (Love)
There are two commonly used words for dinner: merienda and cena. In most parts of Latin America, merienda refers to an average evening meal and cena is reserved for special occasions – like a big Christmas Eve turkey dinner. In Spain, merienda is a small meal meant to tide you over between el almuerzo and la cena.
What does pa arriba pa abajo mean? ›Similar to the French toast, this Spanish “Cheers” wishes “good health to everyone!”. A longer toast is commonly used in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries: “Pa' arriba, pa' abajo, pa' centro, pa' dentro”. “Put your glass up, put your glass down, glasses to the center, now drink!” By the way, take care.
What are the 11 Spanish question words? ›- ¿Quién? Who? ( one person) ...
- ¿Quiénes? Who? ( more than one person) ...
- ¿Qué? What? ¿Qué quiere [él]? ...
- ¿Dónde? Where? ¿Dónde está el teatro? ...
- ¿Cuándo? When? ¿Cuándo es la fiesta? ...
- ¿Cuál? Which? ¿Cuál quieres [tú]? ...
- ¿Por qué? Why? ¿Por qué están [ellos] aquí? ...
- ¿Cómo? How? ¿Cómo sabes [tú] mi nombre?
The 23-letter adverb anticonstitucionalmente means 'anticonstitutionally'. Anticonstitucionalmente is also the Portuguese translation; the French translation, anticonstitutionnellement, is an exceptionally long word as well (25 letters).
What are the 50 most common Spanish verbs? ›abrir | apagar | cantar |
---|---|---|
leer | llover | mirar |
nadar | necesitar | organizar |
pagar | pensar | poner |
poner | preocupar | querer |
- Ser Conjugation (To be)
- Estar Conjugation (To be)
- Haber Conjugation (To have)
- Tener Conjugation (To have)
- Venir Conjugation (To come)
- Ir Conjugation (To go)
- Dar Conjugation (To give)
- Ver Conjugation (To see)
The Typical Spanish Lunch
The large midday meal, called la comida, has several courses and usually includes five or six choices in each. At home, Spaniards do not traditionally eat “fancy” dishes on a daily basis, but still enjoy a soup or pasta dish, salad, meat and/or fish, and a dessert, such as fruit or cheese.
In Spain, you can simply say "la cuenta, por favor" (the check, please) when you catch your server's attention. Another common phrase many locals use is "¿Nos cobras cuando puedas?" (literally "Can you charge us when you can?"). Either one is a perfectly fine way to ask your server to bring the bill.
What does saludo de vato mean? ›
saludo de vato - Spanish gestures of greeting between friends. 3 ese - Spanish word for “man”
What do Mexicans say when they toast a drink? ›The Spanish word for “cheers” is “¡salud!”, pronounced sa·lood. The literal translation of this word is “health.” People use this term during toasts as they are honoring someone while wishing them health and overall wellbeing.
What time is breakfast in Spain? ›A typical Spaniard eating schedule is as followed:
– Desayuno (breakfast): anywhere from 7am to 9am, depending on how early you start your days. – Almuerzo (mid-morning snack): roughly 10am to 11am. Most Spanish schools have a patio time where the students are given this time to eat their almuerzo.
Dinner: 9–11 p.m.
Dinner in Spain may be late, but as with all Spanish mealtimes, it's definitely worth waiting for. Cena, or dinner, is usually much lighter than it would be in many other countries.
In this lesson, we learned the vocabulary and pronunciation for the numbers 1-10 in Spanish: uno (ooh-no), dos (dohs), tres (trays), cuatro (kwah-troh), cinco (seen-koh), seis (says), siete (syay-tay), ocho (oh-choh), nueve (nway-vay), diez (dyays).
What are 5 Spanish question words? ›- ¿Qué? / ¿Cuál? = What? ...
- ¿Quién? / ¿Quiénes? / ¿De quién? / ¿De quiénes? = Who? ...
- ¿Cuándo? = When? ...
- ¿Cuál? / ¿Cuáles? = Which? / Which ones? ...
- ¿Cuánto/a? / ¿Cuántos/as? = How much? / How many? (Both for feminine and male nouns). ...
- ¿Cómo? = How? ...
- ¿Dónde? = Where? ...
- ¿Por qué? / ¿Para qué? = Why?
Numeral | In Spanish |
---|---|
97 | noventa y siete |
98 | noventa y ocho |
99 | noventa y nueve |
100 | cien |
No, gracias
This is the standard way of saying “no” when offered something. It's also the most polite option. No, gracias means “No, thank you” in Spanish, and it's used in the same way as in English.
Here are the Spanish numbers: 1 - uno. 2 - dos. 3 - tres.
What does no mucho mean? ›not much. Millions translate with DeepL every day.
What are the 4 extra Spanish letters? ›
The Spanish Alphabet: Sounds And Letters
The table above includes the four extra letters that are often included in the Spanish alphabet: ch, ll, ñ and rr.
In 2010, the Royal Spanish Academy officially removed two letters (ch and ll) from the alphabet, making it 27 letters instead of 29. Fortunately for English speakers, the official Spanish alphabet now only has the one additional letter that does not appear in the English alphabet: ñ.
What is a word with two C in Spanish? ›- With CC: elección, dirección, acción, protección, diccionario.
- With RR: perro, carretera, correo, barrio.
- With LL: llave, silla, collar, amarillo.
- With NN: connotación, perenne.
There are sixteen verbs used in Basic English. They are: be, do, have, come, go, see, seem, give, take, keep, make, put, send, say, let, get.
What does Haber mean? ›Haber “To Have” or “There is/There are”
What are the 3 main verbs in Spanish? ›First things first: there are three classes of Spanish verbs: -ar verbs, -er verbs, and -ir verbs.
What does Tambien mean? ›Yo is the first-person pronoun “I” or “me.” The adverb también (“also, too”) is a contraction of the words tan, meaning “as,” and bién, meaning “good.” Yo también literally translates to “I also” in English.
What are the 6 verbs in Spanish? ›- Estar = To be.
- Ser = To be.
- Tener = To have.
- Haber = To have (auxiliary verb)
- Hacer = To do or make.
- Ir = To go.
- Venir = To come.
- Decir = To say or tell.
This lists the 8 verbs that are essentially in order to be comprehensible in Spanish. This idea is originally from Terry Waltz who came up with the Super 7. The verbs include: Tener, Poder, Ser, Ir, Estar, Querer, Gustar, and Hay.
What is a Spanish breakfast sandwich called? ›Bocadillo or bocata de huevos revueltos is a simple Spanish sandwich that's made with Spanish bread and scrambled eggs. Typically, a Spanish-style baguette (barra de pan) is sliced lengthwise and filled with a layer of freshly scrambled eggs.
What is the most popular dessert in Spain? ›
Flan. The most typical Spanish dessert, you'll find flan on almost any menu throughout the country. This simple dessert is made from milk or cream, whole eggs, and sugar and sets to a wobbly jelly-like consistency.
How do you say tip in Spain? ›In Spain a tip is known as 'una propina' when it is given directly to a waiter/waitress or as 'el bote' when it is placed in a jar or bottle on a bar.
What do Spaniards call appetizers? ›In the Spanish cuisine, an appetizer, called an aperitivo, is a supplement to a full meal, while the tapas are something completely different, another way of having your whole lunch or dinner.
What is Spanish slang for eating? ›Papear: This word “to eat” is used a lot in Spain and Peru; but don't even think about using it in Colombia where it means “to fool someone.” Yantar: This slang term is very popular in Spain and Ecuador.
Do I tip in Spain? ›Is it expected? Tipping in Spain works differently: The customer actually has the option to not leave any tip at all. However, restaurants expect a 10% tip on each bill—although it's not a formal rule, and that percentage is much lower than tipping practices in other countries.
How do I ask for water in Spain? ›Ask instead for un vaso de agua (a glass of water) or agua de grifo (water from the tap)—or avoid this altogether by asking for that to begin with. Usually they'll give in, but sometimes they'll resist. They might say they don't serve tap water, or that they only have bottles.
How do you ask for a bottle of water in Spain? ›Plus, when you do order water you can easily find yourself with a 1.5-liter glass bottle which is no use if you plan to explore the city later, so here is the lowdown. For tap water ask for agua de grifo or una jarra de agua for a pitcher, and if you are happy with a bottle just ask for agua.
How do you respond to Provecho? ›The way of responding to buen provecho in Spanish is simply by saying the same thing or the short version, provecho. In Mexico, it's common to say the diminutive of the word—provechito (little benefit). It doesn't mean “may you have a small benefit from your meal,” it's just an endearing way of saying it.
What is the Spanish cheers? ›Cheers in Spanish: Salud
While you might have already known that most Spanish-speaking countries like to clink their drinks to a cheerful “Salud!,” it seems the saying is popular for more than just a festive toast.
Spanish speakers use this phrase as a salutation when someone is about to eat. It's is a way of communicating that you hope the person you're talking to enjoys their meal. It's also a reminder of the central role that food and sharing a meal have in Hispanic culture.
What is the Spanish tequila shot saying? ›
I learned the “tequila toast,” arriba (glasses up); abajo (glasses down); al centro (glasses to the front which wishes health to everyone participating in the toast); y pa' dentro (your tequila goes inside or drink your drink), when I was shopping in Acapulco a few years back.
What does a buen tiempo mean? ›A buen tiempo says, "You're just in time! Join us! There's plenty for everyone!" It is used whether the ones arriving are family, friends, acquaintances, or even strangers.
How do you respond to I'm eating dinner? ›- What a fantastic meal!
- We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
- That was a delicious meal.
- It was a very satisfying meal.
If someone tells you Bon appétit ! you can answer Merci (= thank you) if they're not eating as well (if they're a waiter, for instance). If they are eating at the same time, you only need to wish them the same: Bon appétit !
Do they say salud in Spain? ›The most common word used in Spanish to say cheers is ¡Salud!, which means 'health', in the same way as the French say santé and the Germans gesondheid. Spaniards may also direct their toast specifically at the person they're drinking with by saying ¡A tu salud! (To your health!).
Why do Mexicans say salud? ›Salud means “health” so you are essentially drinking to everyone's health. This meaning is common in many countries and Mexico is no different when it comes to tradition and culture. The drinking age in Mexico is 18 so you may see some younger crowds down there toasting to one another all throughout the day.
What is Spanish slang for lunch? ›lonche: Its the direct adaptation from the word lunch (the u sounds like o in Spanish). This term is used in Mexico generally for the food you take to have at school or work.
What do Spanish people call lunch? ›The midday meal or la comida, as it is called in Spain, is the largest meal of the day. It is definitely a big meal and typically includes multiple courses and wine.
What phrase do you use if you are hungry Spanish? ›If you'd like to say “I am hungry” in Spanish, you'd say “Tengo hambre.” Even though it's not an exact translation—it means “I have hunger”—it's the most common phrase used by Spanish speakers. From time to time, you may hear someone say “Estoy hambrienta.” It means the same thing, but it's not used as often.
What does y pa dentro mean? ›"Pa' dentro or Adentro" - Literally translates to "inside". Drink immediately, bottoms up!
Why do you bite a lime after a shot of tequila? ›
Immediately bite into and suck on lime or lemon wedge. The sour fruit balances and enhances the flavor of the tequila.
How do you say drink in Spanish slang? ›Chupar/Pistear (to drink)
Chupar (literally to lick or to suck) and pistear are both slang for “to drink.” El chupe and el pisto are the nouns, so they refer to “the drinks.” Chupar and chupe are used in the center and south of Mexico, while pistear and pisto are more common in the north.