Spanish

Ordering Food

Learn simple patterns for ordering meals and asking about dishes.

5 min

The pattern

Use “Para míPronunciation: PAH-rah MEE…” to choose your food.

Para mí means “for me.” It is a natural, easy way to order when the server is taking everyone’s choices.

Useful ordering phrases

01Para mí, la ensalada.For me, the salad.02Quiero la tortilla.I want the tortilla.03¿Me pones una tapa de…?Can I have a tapa of…?04¿Qué me recomiendas?keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahsWhat do you recommend?

Quiero is correct, but softer patterns are often more natural with staff.

Direct

Quiero una cerveza.I want a beer.

Softer

¿Me pones una cerveza, por favor?Can I have a beer, please?

Ask what something is

01¿Qué es esto?What is this?02¿Qué lleva?keh YEH-bahWhat’s in it?03¿Lleva carne?Does it contain meat?04¿Es picante?es pee-KAN-tehIs it spicy?

Change or remove something

01Sin cebollaseen theh-BOH-yah, por favor.Without onion, please.02Sin queso.Without cheese.03Con agua, por favor.With water, please.04¿Puede ser sin…?Can it be without…?

Spain vocabulary

“Tenéis” means “do you have” when speaking to a group or business informally.

¿Tenéis opciones vegetarianas? means “Do you have vegetarian options?” This vosotros form is common in Spain.

A simple restaurant exchange

01¿Qué me recomiendas?02La tortilla está muy buena.The tortilla is very good.03Vale. Para mí, la tortilla.04Y agua, por favor.

Remember this

Para mí…, ¿qué lleva? and sin… cover a lot of restaurant Spanish.

You can order, ask what is in a dish and request a simple change without building complicated sentences.

Lesson complete

Reviewed 2026-09-07

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