Order like a local: simple Spanish for restaurants (A2)

Imagine you walk into a cozy Spanish restaurant. The waiter smiles and asks, “¿Tienen reserva?” What do you say next? In this post, you’ll learn the exact phrases to get a table, order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and request the bill—clearly and politely.

We’ll keep it practical with short expressions, model dialogues, and quick exercises so you can practice right away. By the end, you’ll feel confident speaking to a camarero (waiter) anywhere Spanish is spoken.

Getting a table

Use these friendly openers:

• Buenas tardes. ¿Tienen reserva? – Good afternoon. Do you have a reservation? (Said by the waiter)
• No, ¿tiene mesa para dos? – No, do you have a table for two?
• Sí, tenemos una reserva a nombre de… – Yes, we have a reservation under the name…
• ¿Podemos sentarnos en la terraza? – Can we sit on the terrace?
• Quisiera una mesa cerca de la ventana. – I’d like a table near the window.

Tip: In many places, the host will seat you. Wait near the entrance and make eye contact with staff.

Essential restaurant words

Here are words you’ll hear in any restaurant. Learn them with one glance.

una mesa para dos, por favor.

Ordering drinks and dishes

Common phrases to order smoothly:

• Para beber…, ¿tienen agua con/sin gas? – To drink…, do you have sparkling/still water?
• ¿Qué recomienda? – What do you recommend?
• ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? – What’s the house specialty?
• De primero… / De segundo… – For the first course… / For the main course…
• Para mí…, y para ella… – For me…, and for her…

When the waiter checks on you, you might hear: “¿Algo más?” (Anything else?) or “¿Todo bien?” (Everything okay?).

If you have a preference or restriction:

• Soy vegetariano/a. – I’m vegetarian.
• ¿Tiene opciones sin gluten? – Do you have gluten-free options?
• Sin cebolla, por favor. – Without onion, please.

Ask for the bill (and pay politely)

When you’re ready to leave:

• La cuenta, por favor. – The bill, please.
• ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor? – Could you bring us the bill, please?
• ¿Se paga aquí o en la caja? – Do we pay here or at the register?
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? – Can I pay by card?
• ¿Nos puede separar la cuenta? – Can you split the bill?

Culture notes: Spain and Latin America

• Menú vs. carta: In Spain, “menú” often means a fixed-price “menú del día” (starter, main, dessert or coffee). “La carta” is the full list of dishes. In Latin America, “menú” can also mean the general menu, but “menú del día” still means a set lunch.
• Water: In Spain, ask for “agua del grifo” (tap water) or “agua sin gas / con gas.” In many Latin American countries, bottled water is more common.
• Tipping: “Propina” may or may not be included. Look for “servicio incluido.” If not included, rounding up or adding 5–10% is typical, depending on the country and service.
• Schedule: Lunch (comida) can be later in Spain (2–3 pm). A “menú del día” is common at lunchtime on weekdays.
• Bread and cover: Some places charge a small fee for bread or a “cubierto.” You can refuse politely: “No, gracias.”

¿Nos la cuenta, por favor?

Puedo tener una sopa de tomate. → ¿Me trae una sopa de tomate, por favor? “Puedo tener” is a direct translation from English. In Spanish, ask the waiter to bring you something: “¿Me trae…?” or use “Quisiera…”. Both are polite.

Quick review and practice

You’ve learned how to:

• Ask for a table: “¿Tiene mesa para dos?” / “Quisiera una mesa…”
• Order politely: “Para mí…”, “Quisiera…”, “Me gustaría…”
• Ask for recommendations and specials
• Request the bill and pay: “La cuenta, por favor.”, “¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?”

Try this mini-dialogue out loud:

• Cliente: Buenas tardes. ¿Tiene mesa para dos?
• Camarero: Sí, por aquí. ¿Qué van a beber?
• Cliente: Para mí, agua sin gas. ¿Cuál es la especialidad?
• Camarero: Hoy, pescado a la plancha.
• Cliente: Perfecto. Y luego, la cuenta, por favor.

You’ve got this. Next time you go out, pick two new phrases from this post and use them. ¡Buen provecho!