30 Spanish phrases for choosing food

Introduction

Choosing food in Spanish can transform a simple meal into a cultural experience. This article presents 30 practical Spanish phrases for ordering, asking about, and deciding what to eat. Each phrase includes context, pronunciation tips, and sample sentences to help beginner and intermediate learners speak naturally at restaurants, markets, and dinner tables.

Common phrases to start choosing food

These opening phrases help you begin a conversation about food preferences or start an order.

1. ¿Qué recomiendas?

Use this to ask for recommendations from a waiter or friend. Pronunciation: keh reh-koh-mee-EN-das.

Example: ¿Qué recomiendas? Hoy me apetece algo tradicional.

2. ¿Qué tienen hoy?

Ask what the place offers today. Pronunciation: keh TEE-nen oy.

Example: ¿Qué tienen hoy? ¿Hay plato del día?

3. Me gustaría probar…

Say this to express interest in tasting something. Pronunciation: meh goos-tah-REE-ah pro-BAR.

Example: Me gustaría probar la paella de mariscos.

4. Estoy entre…

Use when deciding between options. Pronunciation: es-TOY EN-treh.

Example: Estoy entre la sopa y la ensalada.

Phrases to ask about ingredients and preferences

These phrases are useful if you have dietary restrictions or want to know what a dish contains.

5. ¿Qué lleva?

Ask what a dish contains. Pronunciation: keh YEH-bah.

Example: ¿Qué lleva esta salsa?

6. ¿Tiene alérgenos?

Ask about allergens. Pronunciation: TEE-eh-neh ah-LEHR-heh-nos.

Example: ¿Tiene alérgenos como nueces o mariscos?

7. ¿Es picante?

Use to ask if a dish is spicy. Pronunciation: es pee-KAHN-teh.

Example: ¿Es picante la salsa?

8. ¿Es vegetariano/vegano?

Ask whether a dish is vegetarian or vegan. Pronunciation: es veh-heh-tah-REE-AH-no / VEH-gah-no.

Example: ¿Es vegetariano el guiso?

Phrases for ordering at a restaurant or café

These lines will help you place an order politely and clearly.

9. Quisiera…

A polite way to order: I would like. Pronunciation: kee-SYEH-rah.

Example: Quisiera el menú del día, por favor.

10. Para empezar, quiero…

Use when choosing a starter. Pronunciation: pah-rah em-peh-SAR kyeh-ro.

Example: Para empezar, quiero una tapa de patatas bravas.

11. De plato principal quiero…

Choose the main course. Pronunciation: deh PLAH-toh prin-see-PAHL kyeh-ro.

Example: De plato principal quiero el pescado a la plancha.

12. Para acompañar, me trae…

Ask the server to bring a side. Pronunciation: pah-rah ah-kohm-pah-NYAR meh TRAH-eh.

Example: Para acompañar, me trae arroz y verduras, por favor.

13. Sin…

Use to request something without an ingredient. Pronunciation: seen.

Example: Sin cebolla, por favor.

14. Con…

Ask for something with an ingredient. Pronunciation: kon.

Example: Con salsa aparte.

Phrases to express preferences and portion requests

These phrases help you specify how you want your food cooked or the portion size.

15. ¿Cómo lo recomienda cocinar?

Ask how something is recommended to be cooked. Pronunciation: KOH-moh loh reh-koh-mee-EN-dah koh-see-NAR.

Example: ¿Cómo lo recomienda cocinar el cordero?

16. Al punto

Order something medium cooked. Pronunciation: al POON-toh.

Example: El filete, por favor, al punto.

17. Muy hecho / poco hecho

Request well-done or rare. Pronunciation: mooy EH-cho / POH-koh EH-cho.

Example: Prefiero el pollo muy hecho.

18. Ración / media ración

Ask for a full or half portion. Pronunciation: rah-SYON / MEH-dee-ah rah-SYON.

Example: Una ración de calamares o media ración, por favor.

19. Para llevar

Ask for food to go. Pronunciation: pah-rah yah-BAR.

Example: ¿Puede poner esto para llevar?

Phrases for tasting, liking, and deciding

Use these expressions when reacting to food or making a final choice.

20. Está delicioso

Say this to compliment the food. Pronunciation: es-TAH deh-lee-SYOH-so.

Example: Está delicioso este gazpacho.

21. No me gusta

Politely express dislike. Pronunciation: no meh GOOS-tah.

Example: No me gusta demasiado picante.

22. Prefiero…

State a preference. Pronunciation: preh-FYEH-roh.

Example: Prefiero comida más ligera.

23. Voy a probar

Announce that you will try something. Pronunciation: voy ah pro-BAR.

Example: Voy a probar la tortilla española.

24. ¿Me recomienda algo ligero?

Ask for a light recommendation. Pronunciation: meh reh-koh-mee-EN-dah AHL-goh lee-HEH-roh.

Example: ¿Me recomienda algo ligero para la cena?

Phrases for markets and shopping for food

These are helpful when buying ingredients or asking vendors for suggestions at a market.

25. ¿Cuánto cuesta?

Ask the price. Pronunciation: KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah.

Example: ¿Cuánto cuesta el kilo de tomates?

26. ¿Tiene fresco?

Ask if a product is fresh. Pronunciation: TEE-eh-neh FRES-koh.

Example: ¿Tiene fresco el pescado hoy?

27. Solo para hoy

Ask if an item is only available today. Pronunciation: SOH-lo pah-rah oy.

Example: ¿Es esto solo para hoy?

28. ¿Me puede dar un kilo?

Request a specific amount. Pronunciation: meh PWEH-deh dar oon KEE-lo.

Example: ¿Me puede dar un kilo de manzanas, por favor?

29. ¿Hay oferta?

Ask about a special or deal. Pronunciation: ay oh-FEHR-tah.

Example: ¿Hay oferta en estas naranjas?

30. ¿Me lo puede cortar?

Ask to have something cut or prepared. Pronunciation: meh loh PWEH-deh kor-TAR.

Example: ¿Me lo puede cortar en rodajas?

Usage tips and cultural notes

Knowing small cultural cues improves your interactions in Spanish-speaking food settings.

In many Spanish-speaking countries waiters value politeness, so starting with por favor and ending with gracias goes a long way. When choosing dishes, asking ¿Qué recomiendas? often leads to regional specialties. Vendors at markets might expect bargaining in some regions, but always be respectful and friendly.

Menus can include words that indicate cooking style: a la plancha (grilled), al horno (baked), frito (fried). If you have dietary restrictions, master phrases like sin gluten and sin lactosa. When trying a new dish, a simple compliment like Está delicioso will be appreciated.

Short sample dialogues

These short exchanges show how phrases combine in real conversations. Use line breaks for clarity.

At a restaurant:
Camarero: ¿Qué recomiendas?
Cliente: Me gustaría probar la paella. ¿Es picante?
Camarero: No, no es picante. Es tradicional.

At a market:
Vendedor: ¿Cuánto quiere?
Cliente: Un kilo, por favor.
Vendedor: ¿Lo quiere cortado?
Cliente: Sí, me lo puede cortar en rodajas.

Pronunciation and practice tips

Pronunciation helps you be understood and shows respect. Focus on rolling the r in words like ración, pronouncing silent h as silent (e.g., hola has an h sound silent), and keeping vowel sounds pure: a, e, i, o, u.

Practice phrases out loud, ideally with a native speaker or language exchange partner. Record yourself ordering a full meal: greet, ask for recommendations, order starters and main course, request sides, and comment on taste. Small role-plays build confidence quickly.

Conclusion

With these 30 Spanish phrases for choosing food, you can confidently navigate restaurants, markets, and home dining situations. Practice the sample sentences, remember polite expressions, and use the usage notes to match local customs. Enjoy exploring flavors and conversations in Spanish while building practical vocabulary for everyday dining.