Spanish for restaurants

Getting a table

• Una mesa para dos, por favorA table for two, pleaseSay it: OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs, pohr fah-VOHR
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de…I have a reservation under the name…Say it: TEHN-goh OO-nah reh-SEHR-bah ah NOHM-breh deh
• ¿Hay mesa en la terraza?Is there a table outside?Say it: ay MEH-sah ehn lah teh-RRAH-sah

Ordering

• La carta, por favorThe menu, pleaseSay it: lah KAR-tah, pohr fah-VOHR
• ¿Qué recomienda?What do you recommend?Say it: keh reh-koh-MYEHN-dah
• Me gustaría…I would like…Say it: meh goos-tah-REE-ah
• Yo tomaré lo mismoI'll have the sameSay it: yoh toh-mah-REH loh MEES-moh
• Un café, por favorA coffee, pleaseSay it: oon kah-FEH, pohr fah-VOHR
• Agua sin gas, por favorStill water, pleaseSay it: AH-gwah seen gahs, pohr fah-VOHRSparkling is con gas.
• ¡Esto está delicioso!This is delicious!Say it: EHS-toh ehs-TAH deh-lee-SYOH-soh

Allergies and special requests

• Soy alérgico a…I'm allergic to…Say it: soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ahA woman says alérgica.
• los frutos secos / el manínuts / peanutsSay it: lohs FROO-tohs SEH-kohs / ehl mah-NEEIn Spain peanuts are cacahuetes (kah-kah-WEH-tehs).
• ¿Lleva gluten?Does it have gluten in it?Say it: YEH-bah GLOO-tehn
• Soy vegetarianoI'm vegetarianSay it: soy beh-heh-tah-RYAH-nohA woman says vegetariana.
• ¿Esto es picante?Is this spicy?Say it: EHS-toh ehs pee-KAHN-teh
• Sin cebolla, por favorWithout onion, pleaseSay it: seen seh-BOH-yah, pohr fah-VOHR

Serious allergy? Make a Show card in the Travel Kit with your allergy in big Spanish text, and show it to your waiter.

Paying

• La cuenta, por favorThe bill, pleaseSay it: lah KWEHN-tah, pohr fah-VOHR
• ¿Está incluido el servicio?Is service included?Say it: ehs-TAH een-kloo-EE-doh ehl sehr-BEE-syoh
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?Can I pay by card?Say it: PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tahr-HEH-tah
• ¿Pagamos por separado?Can we pay separately?Say it: pah-GAH-mohs pohr seh-pah-RAH-doh

• The bill only comes when you ask for it. In a busy place, catching the waiter's eye and miming writing works too.
• In Mexico, ask for agua purificada or bottled water rather than tap water.
• Tipping customs differ by country. See your destination guide.