First Phrases

Table for one · Español

Table for one phrases in Spanish: 15 phrases

Ask for a table for one, check whether you need a reservation, book for tomorrow, sit at the bar or counter, order the menu of the day, ask what they recommend, mention vegetarian or allergies, ask for tap water, then get the bill, pay by card, ask about service and take the rest home. Short, natural phrases for eating out on your own.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "usted" with waiters ("camarero" / "camarera") and restaurant staff; "por favor" goes at the end of most requests. "Barra" is the bar counter, "mesa" a table, "cuenta" the bill. "Menú del día" is the set menu of the day. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How to read the sounds: Spanish is mostly read as written. In Spain, c before e/i and z sound like English th. h is silent. ñ = ny. rr is rolled. Stress is marked in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Una mesa para uno, por favor.
    Say it like: OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah OO-noh, por fah-VOR
    A table for one, please.
    Register: Also "Para una persona" (for one person).
  2. 02Neutral
    ¿Hace falta reservar?
    Say it like: AH-theh FAHL-tah reh-sehr-VAR
    Do I need a reservation?
    Register: Also "¿Tengo que reservar?" (Do I have to book?).
  3. 03Neutral
    ¿Puedo reservar para mañana a las ocho de la noche?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh reh-sehr-VAR PAH-rah mah-NYAH-nah ah lahs OH-choh deh lah NOH-cheh
    Can I book for tomorrow at 8 in the evening?
    Register: "De la noche" avoids any doubt about a.m. or p.m. Add "para uno" (for one).
  4. 04Neutral
    ¿Sigue abierta la cocina?
    Say it like: SEE-geh ah-BYEHR-tah lah koh-THEE-nah
    Is the kitchen still open?
    Register: Also "¿Todavía se puede comer?" (Can one still eat?).
  5. 05Neutral
    ¿Puedo sentarme en la barra?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh sehn-TAR-meh ehn lah BAH-rrah
    Can I sit at the bar?
    Register: Say "en la barra" for the counter, "en una mesa" for a table.
  6. 06Neutral
    ¿Tienen menú del día?
    Say it like: TYEH-nehn meh-NOO dehl DEE-ah
    Do you have a menu of the day?
    Register: Also "¿Cuál es el plato del día?" (What is the dish of the day?).
  7. 07Neutral
    ¿Qué me recomienda?
    Say it like: keh meh reh-koh-MYEHN-dah
    What do you recommend?
    Register: Informal: "¿Qué me recomiendas?".
  8. 08Neutral
    Soy vegetariano.
    Say it like: soy beh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh
    I'm vegetarian.
    Register: A woman says "vegetariana". Ask "¿Este plato lleva carne?" (Does this dish have meat?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Soy alérgico a …
    Say it like: soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah
    I'm allergic to …
    Register: A woman says "alérgica". Add: "los frutos secos" (nuts), "el gluten", "el marisco" (shellfish).
  10. 10Neutral
    Agua del grifo, por favor.
    Say it like: AH-gwah dehl GREE-foh, por fah-VOR
    Tap water, please.
    Register: Say "una botella de agua" for a bottle of water.
  11. 11Neutral
    ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
    Say it like: meh TRAH-eh lah KWEHN-tah, por fah-VOR
    Could I have the bill, please?
    Register: Short and common: "La cuenta, por favor."
  12. 12Neutral
    ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
    Say it like: PWEH-doh pah-GAR kohn tar-HEH-tah
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "En efectivo" means in cash.
  13. 13Neutral
    ¿Está incluido el servicio?
    Say it like: ehs-TAH een-kloo-EE-doh ehl sehr-VEE-thyoh
    Is service included?
    Register: "Incluido" means included; "IVA incluido" is a tax phrase you may see on menus.
  14. 14Neutral
    ¿Me lo puede poner para llevar?
    Say it like: meh loh PWEH-deh poh-NEHR PAH-rah yeh-VAR
    Can you put it in a box for me to take?
    Register: "Para llevar" = to take away. "Lo" stands for the rest of your meal.
  15. 15Neutral
    Estaba todo buenísimo, gracias.
    Say it like: ehs-TAH-bah TOH-doh bweh-NEE-see-moh, GRAH-thyahs
    It was all delicious, thank you.
    Register: Also "Estaba delicioso" (It was delicious).

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a table for one in Spanish?

Say: "Una mesa para uno, por favor." (A table for one, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Spanish with a waiter?

Use "usted" with waiters ("camarero" / "camarera") and restaurant staff; "por favor" goes at the end of most requests. "Barra" is the bar counter, "mesa" a table, "cuenta" the bill. "Menú del día" is the set menu of the day. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How do I say I am vegetarian or allergic in Spanish?

Say: "Soy vegetariano." (I'm vegetarian.) and "Soy alérgico a …" (I'm allergic to …)

How do I ask for the bill and pay by card in Spanish?

Try: "¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?" (Could I have the bill, please?) and "¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?" (Can I pay by card?)

Table for one phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

Spanish, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

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