Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary: 30 Words for Young Travelers

Imagine you’re traveling to Spain or Latin America with your family, and you finally sit down at a cozy local restaurant. The smells are incredible, the menu is full of tempting dishes—but it’s all in Spanish. What do you say? How do you order like a local without pointing awkwardly or just saying “gracias” and hoping for the best?

Learning Spanish restaurant vocabulary is a game-changer for young travelers. These words and phrases will help you order confidently, ask polite questions, and enjoy authentic dining experiences abroad. Instead of relying on English menus or guessing, you’ll understand what’s happening around you and interact naturally with servers.

In this blog, you’ll learn 30 useful Spanish words and phrases for restaurants, complete with pronunciation tips and beginner mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll be ready to navigate menus, place orders, and handle common restaurant situations like a pro.

Getting a Table: Starting Your Restaurant Experience

1. Mesa (MEH-sah) – Table
   Use this to ask for a table at a restaurant.
   Example: ¿Tiene una mesa para cuatro? (Do you have a table for four?)
   Mistake to Avoid: Don’t say “meso”—the final “a” is important.
2. Reservación (reh-sehr-bah-SYON) – Reservation
   Essential if you book ahead.
   Example: Tenemos una reservación a nombre de López. (We have a reservation under López.)
   Mistake to Avoid: Beginners often forget the accent on the last syllable.
3. Menú (meh-NOO) – Menu
   Ask for this when you sit down.
   Example: ¿Nos puede traer el menú, por favor? (Could you bring us the menu, please?)
   Mistake to Avoid: Don’t confuse it with “la carta” in Spain, which often means menu too.
4. Carta (KAR-tah) – Menu (Spain)
   Common in Spain for the list of food items.
   Example: ¿Puedo ver la carta, por favor? (May I see the menu, please?)
   Mistake to Avoid: Don’t assume “carta” means letter here—it’s restaurant-specific.
5. Camarero / Mesero (kah-mah-REH-roh / meh-SEH-roh) – Waiter
   Regional difference: “camarero” in Spain, “mesero” in Latin America.
   Example: Disculpe, mesero, ¿puede traer agua? (Excuse me, waiter, can you bring water?)
   Mistake to Avoid: Avoid calling them “señorita” or “joven” as it can be informal.

Ordering Food and Drinks

6. Agua con/sin gas (AH-gwah kon/seen gahs) – Sparkling/Still water
   Specify your preference when ordering water.
   Example: Quisiera un agua sin gas, por favor. (I’d like a still water, please.)
   Mistake to Avoid: Don’t just say “agua”—servers may ask which type.
7. Refresco (reh-FREHS-koh) – Soft drink
   Ask for soda like a local.
   Example: ¿Tiene refrescos de naranja? (Do you have orange soda?)
   Mistake to Avoid: “Soda” works in some countries, but “refresco” is widely understood.
8. Jugo / Zumo (HOO-go / SOO-moh) – Juice
   “Jugo” in Latin America, “zumo” in Spain.
   Example: Un jugo de mango, por favor. (A mango juice, please.)
   Mistake to Avoid: Mixing the regional terms can confuse servers.
9. Entrada / Aperitivo (en-TRAH-dah / ah-peh-ree-TEE-bo) – Appetizer
   Use when ordering starters.
   Example: Vamos a compartir una entrada. (We’re going to share an appetizer.)
   Mistake to Avoid: Don’t confuse “entrada” with “entrance.”
10. Plato principal (PLAH-toh preen-see-PAHL) – Main course
    Key phrase to identify your main dish.
    Example: ¿Cuál es el plato principal del día? (What’s today’s main dish?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Beginners sometimes say “principal plato”—word order matters.

Common Foods You’ll See on Menus

11. Pollo (POH-yoh) – Chicken
    Popular across all Spanish-speaking countries.
    Example: Voy a pedir pollo a la parrilla. (I’ll order grilled chicken.)
    Mistake to Avoid: Don’t pronounce the “ll” like English “l”—it’s like “y.”
12. Carne de res (KAR-neh deh rehss) – Beef
    Essential for meat lovers.
    Example: ¿La carne de res viene bien cocida? (Is the beef well-cooked?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Saying just “carne” can be vague.
13. Mariscos (mah-REE-skohs) – Seafood
    Often seen at coastal restaurants.
    Example: Nos encantan los mariscos frescos. (We love fresh seafood.)
    Mistake to Avoid: Beginners confuse it with “pescado,” which means fish.
14. Ensalada (en-sah-LAH-dah) – Salad
    Useful for side orders or vegetarians.
    Example: Quiero una ensalada sin aderezo. (I want a salad without dressing.)
    Mistake to Avoid: Pronounce the “d” softly, almost like “th” in Spain.
15. Postre (POHS-treh) – Dessert
    Save room for this!
    Example: ¿Qué postres tienen hoy? (What desserts do you have today?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Don’t say “postre” for “poster”—it only means dessert.

Handling the Check and Polite Phrases

16. Cuenta (KWEHN-tah) – Bill / Check
    Use when you’re ready to pay.
    Example: ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor? (Could you bring us the bill, please?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Don’t ask for “banco” or “ticket”—stick to “cuenta.”
17. Propina (proh-PEE-nah) – Tip
    In many countries, tipping is optional but appreciated.
    Example: ¿Está incluida la propina? (Is the tip included?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Beginners leave too much or too little; check local customs.
18. Está delicioso (es-TAH deh-lee-SYOH-soh) – It’s delicious
    Compliment the food like a local.
    Example: ¡Está delicioso! Muchas gracias. (It’s delicious! Thank you very much.)
    Mistake to Avoid: Avoid literal translations like “es rico” in formal settings—it’s less polite.
19. Disculpe (dees-KOOL-peh) – Excuse me
    Use to politely get the waiter’s attention.
    Example: Disculpe, ¿nos trae más agua? (Excuse me, can you bring us more water?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Don’t confuse it with “perdón” which is for bumping into someone.
20. Para llevar (PAH-rah yeh-BAR) – To go / Takeout
    Handy if you want leftovers to go.
    Example: ¿Podemos pedir esto para llevar? (Can we order this to-go?)
    Mistake to Avoid: Avoid saying “para tomar” for takeout—it means “to drink.”

Bonus Mini Practice Quiz

Translate these into Spanish:

1. Can I see the menu, please?
2. We would like a table for three.
3. The chicken is delicious.
4. Can you bring the bill?
5. We want this food to-go.

(Answers: ¿Puedo ver el menú, por favor? / Queremos una mesa para tres. / El pollo está delicioso. / ¿Nos trae la cuenta? / Queremos esta comida para llevar.)

Need Some Help?

Mastering Spanish restaurant vocabulary will make your travel experiences richer and far more fun. Instead of pointing at menus or feeling nervous, you can order confidently, interact with locals, and understand exactly what’s being served. These 30 words and phrases give you the tools to ask for tables, order food and drinks, compliment dishes, and handle the bill like a pro.

The best way to make these words stick is to practice them in real conversations. That’s where Homeschool Spanish Academy can help. We’re 100% online, our teachers are native Spanish speakers, and we offer flexible scheduling for 1-on-1 or 2-on-1 live sessions. Our engaging curriculum is perfect for young travelers preparing for their next adventure.

Take a free class today and see how quickly you can go from classroom practice to confidently ordering like a local!

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