Introduction
When you want to suggest visiting a different restaurant, café, or shop next time, Spanish offers several natural ways to say let’s try that place next time. This article explains common phrases, subtle differences in tone, and sample dialogues so you can sound natural whether speaking with friends or colleagues.
- Common Spanish phrases to say let’s try that place next time
- Variations by region and formality
- Politeness and tone: softening and strengthening suggestions
- Useful short responses and follow-up phrases
- Short dialogues for real-life practice
- Common mistakes and usage tips
- Extra useful vocabulary and phrases
- Practical tips for sounding natural
- Conclusion
Common Spanish phrases to say let’s try that place next time
There are a few common ways to express this idea. The most direct option is Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez, which is straightforward and polite. Other common alternatives include Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez and La próxima vez vamos a ese sitio. Each option has a slightly different nuance depending on formality and emphasis.
Direct, neutral phrasing
Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez is a direct suggestion. Use it with friends, family, or coworkers when you want to propose trying a specific place on a future occasion. It uses the subjunctive-like form probemos, which is actually the first person plural imperative of probar and sounds natural and inclusive.
Example:
Vamos al restaurante de hoy. Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez.
Casual and conversational options
Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez is slightly more conversational. It uses the periphrastic construction vamos a + infinitive, which is equivalent to let’s + verb in English. This is often used in spoken Spanish and is very natural for learners.
Example:
¿Ya viste las fotos? Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez, se ve muy bien.
Short and natural phrasing
La próxima vez vamos a ese sitio is shorter and emphasizes the plan for the next time. Use it when the place has already been named in the conversation and you want a concise suggestion.
Example:
Me gustó la playlist, pero la comida no tanto. La próxima vez vamos a ese sitio.
Variations by region and formality
Spanish is rich in regional expressions. Some countries favor certain verbs or nouns. You can adjust the phrasing to sound more local without changing meaning.
Using probar versus intentar
Probemos focuses on tasting or trying food, activities, or experiences. Intentemos is more about attempting something that might be challenging. For suggesting a restaurant, probemos is usually better; intentemos would sound odd unless you mean try overcoming a problem.
Example correct use:
Si quieres comida nueva, probemos ese lugar.
Example incorrect context:
If talking about trying to fix a broken gadget, use intentemos, not probemos.
Site, place, spot: sitio, lugar, sitio, local
All of these words can work, but regional preferences differ. Sitio and lugar are broadly understood. Local is often used for small businesses like bars or cafés. Choose the noun that fits the context.
Examples:
Me encanta ese local, pero si está lleno, probemos otro.
Ese sitio tiene buena crítica; la próxima vez vamos para comprobarlo.
Politeness and tone: softening and strengthening suggestions
How you phrase the suggestion can change the tone. Use softer language with new acquaintances or in professional contexts, and more direct forms with friends.
Softer suggestions
To be polite, you can add phrases that soften the suggestion, like por qué no or qué te parece si. These make your proposal sound less demanding.
Examples:
¿Qué te parece si probamos ese lugar la próxima vez?
¿Por qué no vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez?
Stronger or more enthusiastic suggestions
To show excitement, add words like definitivamente or seguro. This makes your suggestion seem confident and eager.
Examples:
Definitivamente probemos ese lugar la próxima vez, se ve buenísimo.
Seguro que vamos a probar ese lugar y nos va a encantar.
Useful short responses and follow-up phrases
After you suggest trying a place next time, people often respond in short ways. Learn these to keep the conversation natural.
Agreeing
Short ways to agree include claro, buena idea, or me parece bien. These are common and natural.
Examples:
Buena idea. Probemos ese lugar.
Me parece bien, la próxima vez lo intentamos.
Asking for details
If someone wants more information, they might ask where the place is or what type of food it has. Have phrases ready to answer.
Examples:
¿Dónde está exactamente ese sitio?
¿Es comida mexicana? Probemos si tiene opciones vegetarianas.
Declining politely
If you want to decline the suggestion gracefully, use phrases like mejor otra vez or esta vez paso. These keep the tone friendly.
Examples:
Esta vez paso, pero probemos ese lugar la próxima vez.
Mejor otra vez, hoy no tengo ganas, pero suena bien la próxima vez.
Short dialogues for real-life practice
Below are short dialogues showing natural ways to suggest trying a place next time. Each exchange uses common conversational language and shows how to respond.
Dialogue 1 – Friends after a disappointing meal:
A: La cena no estuvo como esperaba.
B: Sí, cierto. Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez que vimos en Instagram.
Dialogue 2 – Coworkers planning lunch:
A: ¿Dónde comemos mañana?
B: No sé. Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez, hoy podemos ir al de siempre.
Dialogue 3 – Couple deciding between two options:
A: Este sitio está lleno.
B: Entonces la próxima vez vamos a ese sitio que nos recomendaron.
Common mistakes and usage tips
Beginners often make a few predictable mistakes when forming these suggestions. Here are tips to avoid them.
Verb choice and conjugation
Do not mix infinitive forms incorrectly. Use probemos or vamos a probar. Saying yo probar ese lugar la próxima vez is incorrect because yo is not needed with an inclusive let’s suggestion.
Correct: Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez.
Incorrect: Yo probar ese lugar la próxima vez.
Agreement with plural subjects
Remember that first person plural uses nosotros/ustedes implicitly. Use plural verb forms when suggesting with others: probemos, vamos a probar, vamos.
Incorrect: Va a probar ese lugar la próxima vez. Correct: Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez.
Overly literal translations
Translating let’s try that place next time word-for-word may produce awkward Spanish. Native-like phrasing uses verbs and connectors natural to Spanish, like probemos, vamos a, or la próxima vez vamos a.
Awkward: Vamos a intentar ese lugar la próxima vez. Better: Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez.
Extra useful vocabulary and phrases
Here are additional words and expressions to expand your ability to make similar suggestions.
Recomendación – recommendation
Reserva – reservation
Menú – menu
Cerrado – closed
Lleno – full
Apertura – opening
Phrases:
¿Te apetece? – Do you feel like it?
Tengo una recomendación – I have a recommendation
Hagamos una reserva – Let’s make a reservation
Practical tips for sounding natural
Use contractions and reduced forms common in speech: qué te parece instead of qué te parece que, and drop pronouns when clear from context. Practice the short dialogues aloud to build rhythm and intonation. Listening to native speakers and repeating phrases will help you internalize natural patterns.
Tip: Replace lugar with local or sitio depending on the business type. Use por qué no and qué tal si to soften proposals. When in doubt, use vamos a probar because it is versatile and widely understood.
Conclusion
There are many natural ways to say let’s try that place next time in Spanish. Use Probemos ese lugar la próxima vez for a direct suggestion, Vamos a probar ese lugar la próxima vez for a conversational tone, and La próxima vez vamos a ese sitio for a concise plan. Adjust wording for formality, region, and enthusiasm to sound natural in real conversations.
