How to Order Food in Spain

When in Spain, it is important to know how to order food.

If you've been learning Spanish, you may have been taught to use words like "quisiera" and "me gustaría," when ordering food. While this may be true in very formal settings, it certainly is not the norm in Spain. Learn how to order food in Spanish as a native speaker would.

Instructions

1. Always use the pronoun "tú" when speaking to the waiter. Using "usted" is seen as overly formal in Spain. Also, if you want to address the waiter by his name, use his first name, not his last.

2. Say "la carta, por favor" if you want the menu. In Spain, "el menú" means combo (in American English). For example, "el menú del día" means "today's combo."

3. Use the expression "me pones" or "ponme" when you are asking for something. For example, if you are ordering a beer, you can say "me pones una caña" or "ponme una caña" (give me a beer from the tap).

4. Say "está buena la comida" (the food is good) to tell the waiter that you like the food. Saying "está bien" means that the food was "okay."

5. Ask for the bill when you want to pay by saying "la cuenta, por favor" (the bill, please) to the waiter. In Spain, it is rude to bring the bill if the customer doesn't ask for it first (though some American restaurants, like Hard Rock, break this cultural norm in Spain).

Tips & Warnings

• These phrases will make you sound like you know Spanish, so be prepared for the waiter to speak quickly. If you need him to repeat something, just say "¿cómo?" (What was that?). Some Americans say "¿qué?" (What?) but this can be perceived as rude.

• These suggestions are for casual restaurants.

References

• BBC Night Out