Introduction
Knowing how to ask for recommendations is a practical skill for any Spanish learner. This article explains natural ways to say what do you recommend in Spanish, when to use each phrase, and helpful examples for restaurants, travel, shopping, and more. Learn polite forms, casual alternatives, and tips to sound more native.
- Basic translation: What do you recommend?
- Other common phrases to ask for recommendations
- Contextual examples: Restaurants and food
- Travel and sightseeing: Asking locals
- Shopping and services
- Politeness, tone, and regional differences
- Expanded phrases and natural follow-ups
- Mini dialogues: Practical scenarios
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Conclusion
Basic translation: What do you recommend?
The most direct way to ask what do you recommend in Spanish is Qué me recomienda. This phrase is polite and commonly used with service workers, acquaintances, and people you do not know well. It literally means what do you recommend me, and it is the safe, formal option in many situations.
Form and pronunciation notes
The structure uses the verb recomendar in the formal usted command or indicative form. Say it like this: Qué me recomienda. Use a rising intonation at the end to mark it as a question. Remember to include the accent on Qué for correct spelling.
Other common phrases to ask for recommendations
You will hear several variations depending on formality, context, and region. Here are the most useful options, with notes on when to use each one.
Informal: What do you recommend to me?
For friends or people you know well, use Qué me recomiendas. This uses the tú form and is friendly and casual.
Example in a café:
Amigo: Qué me recomiendas?
You: Prueba el café con leche, es muy bueno.
More casual: What would you recommend?
Another informal option is Qué me aconsejas, which uses aconsejar (to advise). It implies you want practical advice rather than just a preference.
Example in a market:
Comprador: Qué me aconsejas comprar para la cena?
Vendedor: Compra tomates maduros y queso fresco.
Polite: Would you recommend…?
A softer, more polite version uses conditional mood: Me recomendaría or the question form Me recomendaría esto when offering a specific item. This is useful in formal contexts like hotels or when addressing elders.
Example at a hotel desk:
Huésped: Me recomendaría un buen restaurante cerca de aquí?
Recepcionista: Sí, le recomiendo el restaurante de la esquina.
Asking for general suggestions
If you want general suggestions rather than a single recommendation, use Qué me sugiere or Qué me sugiere hacer. Suponer here means to suggest and sounds slightly more formal than recomendar.
Example when planning a day trip:
Turista: Qué me sugiere para una tarde en la ciudad?
Guía: Visite el museo y luego camine por el centro histórico.
Contextual examples: Restaurants and food
Asking what to order is one of the most common uses. Below are realistic dialogues and phrases you can use in restaurants, cafés, and bars.
Polite restaurant request
At a nicer restaurant, use *Qué me recomienda* or *Me recomendaría*. Both sound respectful.
Customer: Qué me recomienda hoy?
Waiter: Le recomiendo el salmón a la plancha, es la especialidad del chef.
Casual café or bar
In a casual setting with peers, use *Qué me recomiendas* or *Qué hay de bueno* (what good things are there). These are friendly and natural.
Friend: Qué me recomiendas del menú?
Barista: Prueba nuestra tarta de manzana; es casera.
Travel and sightseeing: Asking locals
When traveling, you’ll often ask locals or hotel staff for recommendations. Choosing the right phrase shows respect and increases your chances of getting a helpful answer.
Asking for attractions
Use Qué me recomienda ver or Qué me sugiere visitar for tourist sites. Both forms are common with guides and tourist information offices.
Example at a tourist office:
Turista: Qué me sugiere visitar en un día?
Empleado: Pase por la catedral y suba a la torre para una vista increíble.
Local food and neighborhoods
To find local food spots or neighborhoods, ask Qué me recomienda para comer or Dónde me recomienda ir. Adding dónde focuses on location.
Example asking a taxi driver:
Turista: Dónde me recomienda ir para probar comida típica?
Taxista: Vaya al barrio antiguo, hay muchos restaurantes tradicionales.
Shopping and services
Whether buying electronics, clothes, or asking for a service, phrasing matters. Use the appropriate verb and form for clarity and politeness.
Asking for product recommendations
In a store, say Qué me recomienda or more specifically Qué me recomienda para piel sensible if asking about skincare. Staff will appreciate the specific context.
Example in a pharmacy:
Cliente: Qué me recomienda para alergias estacionales?
Farmacéutico: Le recomiendo este antihistamínico sin receta.
Services and professionals
When asking a professional for advice, use conditional or formal forms like Me recomendaría or Qué me aconseja. This is useful for doctors, mechanics, or real estate agents.
Example at a mechanic:
Cliente: Me recomendaría cambiar los neumáticos ahora o esperar?
Mecánico: Depende del desgaste, pero yo los cambiaría por seguridad.
Politeness, tone, and regional differences
Spanish varies across regions, but the verbs recomendar, aconsejar, and sugerir are widely understood. Choosing between formal and informal forms depends on your relationship with the person and the setting.
Formal vs informal
Use *Qué me recomienda* or *Me recomendaría* with strangers, older people, or professionals. Use *Qué me recomiendas* or *Qué me aconsejas* with friends, family, or peers. Adjust tone by adding por favor for extra politeness: Por favor, qué me recomienda?
Regional alternatives
In some Latin American countries, people may prefer the pronoun usage or omit the me in casual speech: Qué recomienda? is less direct and still understood. In Spain, vosotros forms appear in plural informal contexts: Qué nos recomendáis? when asking a group of friends.
Expanded phrases and natural follow-ups
Once you get a recommendation, you may want to ask follow-up questions. Here are useful phrases to keep the conversation flowing and get more detailed advice.
Asking for reasons or details
To understand why something is recommended, ask Por qué me lo recomienda or Por qué plus the verb. If you want details about taste, price, or preparation, use ¿Cuánto cuesta? ¿Cómo se prepara? or ¿Es picante?
Example:
Cliente: Por qué me recomienda ese plato?
Camarero: Porque es típico de la región y está preparado con ingredientes frescos.
Accepting or declining politely
To accept: Está bien, lo probaré. To decline politely: No gracias, prefiero otra cosa. You can also ask for alternatives: Qué otra cosa me recomienda?
Example:
Tú: No gracias, prefiero algo sin gluten. Qué me recomienda entonces?
Vendedor: Tenemos una opción sin gluten en el menú.
Mini dialogues: Practical scenarios
Short realistic dialogues help you internalize the phrases. Read them aloud to practice rhythm and intonation.
Cafetería:
Cliente: Qué me recomienda hoy?
Barista: El sándwich de pollo está fresco y viene con ensalada.
Hotel:
Turista: Me recomendaría un tour por la ciudad?
Recepcionista: Sí, le recomiendo el tour de la tarde, incluye guía en inglés.
Tienda de ropa:
Cliente: Qué me recomiendas para una boda de día?
Vendedora: Un vestido ligero en tonos pastel sería perfecto.
Common mistakes to avoid
Beginners often mix pronouns or forget accent marks. Remember to use Qué with an accent when asking questions. Also match the verb form to the level of formality: avoid using tú forms with strangers in formal contexts.
Incorrect: Que me recomiendas
Correct: Qué me recomiendas
Incorrect: Qué recomienda usted? (word order is okay but sounds formal and stilted for casual contexts)
Better in formal: Qué me recomienda or Me recomendaría
Conclusion
Asking what do you recommend in Spanish is easy to learn but valuable in everyday life. Use Qué me recomienda for formal settings, Qué me recomiendas with friends, and alternatives like Qué me sugiere or Me recomendaría depending on tone. Practice the example dialogues and follow-up questions to sound natural and polite.
