Spanish Restaurant Vocabulary: DELE A1 Complete Guide
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Key Takeaways
- Learn restaurant dialogue phrases and etiquette in Spanish
- Master food ordering and menu categories
- Understand table settings and dining vocabulary
- Learn common dishes and culinary terms
- Essential for DELE A1 restaurant scenarios
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish restaurant vocabulary, essential for dining out, ordering food, and understanding menus in Spanish-speaking countries on the DELE A1 exam. This vocabulary is crucial for real-life dining situations.
Restaurant Types and Staff
Dining Establishment Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| el restaurante | the restaurant | Cenamos en un restaurante |
| el café | the café | Tomo café en el café |
| el camarero/la camarera | the waiter/waitress | El camarero es muy amable |
| la mesa | the table | Quiero una mesa para dos |
| la cuenta | the bill | Pido la cuenta |
DELE A1 Tip: Use “la cuenta” to ask for the bill, not “el bill” which is English. This is essential for proper restaurant etiquette.
Menu Categories
Standard Menu Sections
| Spanish | English | Typical Items |
|---|---|---|
| los entrantes | the appetizers | ensalada, sopa |
| el plato principal | the main course | carne, pescado |
| los postres | the desserts | flan, helado |
| las bebidas | the drinks | agua, vino, café |
Ordering Food and Drinks
Essential Ordering Phrases
| Spanish | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Quisiera… | I would like… | Polite ordering |
| Para mí… | For me… | Stating your order |
| ¿Qué recomienda? | What do you recommend? | Asking for suggestions |
| La carta, por favor | The menu, please | Requesting menu |
Common Dishes and Items
Popular Spanish Foods
| Spanish | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| la paella | paella | Traditional rice dish |
| la tortilla española | Spanish omelette | Potato and egg dish |
| el gazpacho | gazpacho | Cold tomato soup |
| la ensalada | salad | Mixed greens |
| el pollo | chicken | Chicken dish |
Table Settings and Utensils
Dining Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| el tenedor | the fork | Necesito un tenedor |
| el cuchillo | the knife | Corto con el cuchillo |
| la cuchara | the spoon | Como sopa con la cuchara |
| el plato | the plate | La comida está en el plato |
| el vaso | the glass | Bebo agua del vaso |
Restaurant Dialogues
Complete Dining Experience
Arrival:
- Buenas tardes, una mesa para dos (Good afternoon, a table for two)
- ¿Tienen reserva? (Do you have a reservation?)
Ordering:
- ¿Están listos para ordenar? (Are you ready to order?)
- Quisiera la paella, por favor (I would like the paella, please)
During the Meal:
- ¿Todo bien? (Is everything okay?)
- Sí, está delicioso (Yes, it’s delicious)
Paying:
- La cuenta, por favor (The bill, please)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? (Do you accept cards?)
Special Requests and Dietary Needs
Common Modifications
- Sin… (Without…)
- Con poco… (With little…)
- ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas? (Do you have vegetarian options?)
- Soy alérgico/a a… (I’m allergic to…)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Order food: “Quisiera la paella y una ensalada”
- Ask questions: “¿Qué recomienda para postre?”
- Handle problems: “No tengo tenedor”
- Request bill: “La cuenta, por favor“
Writing Section Examples
- Write a restaurant dialogue
- Describe your favorite restaurant meal
- Create a menu in Spanish
- Write about a dining experience
Payment and Tipping
Handling the Bill
- ¿Podemos pagar? (Can we pay?)
- ¿Incluye el servicio? (Is service included?)
- Quiero pagar por separado (I want to pay separately)
- Está incluida la propina (The tip is included)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong word: ❌ “el menu” (means set menu) ✅ “la carta” (means menu)
- Impolite phrasing: ❌ “Dame…” ✅ “Quisiera…“
- Confusing terms: ❌ “la cuenta” vs “el contador” ✅ “la cuenta” is the bill
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish restaurant vocabulary?
Take our DELE A1 Spanish Restaurant Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for food vocabulary? Study Spanish Food and Drinks Guide
- Need shopping phrases? Review Spanish Shopping Vocabulary
- Practice all A1 vocabulary? Take a Full A1 Vocabulary Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
