Ordering Food
The short answer
To order food in a Spanish restaurant, use "Quisiera..." (I would like...) or "Me pone..." (Bring me..., common in Spain) followed by the dish. To ask what a dish contains, say "¿Qué lleva este plato?" To ask for the bill, say "¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?" To split it, say "¿Nos pone cuentas separadas?" or "¿Lo dividimos entre [number]?"
Ordering food confidently in Spanish opens up authentic dining experiences across all Spanish-speaking countries. The vocabulary is practical, the phrases are short, and the cultural norms — from tipping customs to mealtimes — vary fascinatingly by region.
What you'll practise
12 practice scenes · CEFR A2 · Elementary
Key phrases
Quisiera la ensalada mixta, por favor.
I'd like the mixed salad, please.
Quisiera — polite conditional form
¿Qué lleva el cocido madrileño?
What is in the Madrid stew?
Asking about ingredients
Soy alérgico/a a los frutos secos.
I am allergic to nuts.
Essential for food allergies
¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
Could you bring the bill, please?
¿Tienen menú del día?
Do you have a set lunch menu?
Menú del día — fixed-price lunch, very common in Spain
Common questions
What is the most polite way to order food in a Spanish restaurant?
Use "Quisiera..." (I would like...) — the conditional of querer — for the most courteous tone: "Quisiera la ensalada mixta, por favor." Alternatively, "Me pone..." is standard in Spain and "Me trae..." is common in Latin America. Avoid the blunt present tense "Quiero" (I want) in formal dining, as it can sound abrupt.
How do I ask what a dish contains in Spanish?
Say "¿Qué lleva este plato?" (What does this dish have in it?) or "¿Qué ingredientes tiene?" (What ingredients does it have?). For specific concerns: "¿Tiene gluten/lactosa/frutos secos?" (Does it contain gluten/lactose/nuts?). The waiter will typically explain the main ingredients.
How do I ask for the bill in Spanish?
Say "¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?" or simply "La cuenta, por favor." In Spain you might also hear "¿Nos cobra?" (Can you charge us?). To split evenly: "¿Nos pone cuentas separadas?" (Can we have separate bills?) or "¿Lo dividimos entre [number]?" (Can we split it between [number] of us?).
How do I say I have a food allergy or dietary restriction in Spanish?
Say "Soy alérgico/a a [ingredient]" (I am allergic to [ingredient]) or "Tengo intolerancia a [ingredient]" (I have an intolerance). Key phrases: "Soy vegetariano/a" (I am vegetarian), "Soy vegano/a" (I am vegan), "No como carne/cerdo" (I don't eat meat/pork). Always confirm: "¿Este plato lleva [ingredient]?"
What is the difference between ordering coffee in Spain versus Latin America?
In Spain, the common order is "un café con leche" (half espresso, half hot milk), "un cortado" (espresso with a splash of milk), or "un café solo" (straight espresso). In Latin America, coffee styles vary significantly — always specify your preference rather than assuming the default style matches what you expect.
Related vocabulary topics
Grammar that supports this vocabulary
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