Ordering a Full Meal in Spanish: Appetizer, Main Course, and Dessert
Learn to order a complete meal in Latin American Spanish: appetizer, main course, dessert, and drinks, with polite phrases for each course.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Ordering a full meal in Spanish means more than pointing at a menu. You will need to ask for an appetizer first, choose a main course, and then decide on dessert, often while the server checks on you between courses. This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to move through a meal in a restaurant in Latin America. You will practice polite requests, ask for recommendations, and respond when the server asks if you want anything else. The focus is on the sequence of courses, so you can manage a complete dining experience from start to finish.
By the end, you can…
- order an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert in the correct order.
- ask for a recommendation and respond to a server's questions between courses.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Para empezar, quiero una sopa de tortilla.
To start, I want a tortilla soup.
PAH-rah em-peh-SAR, KYEH-ro OO-nah SOH-pah deh tor-TEE-yah
Use 'para empezar' to signal the first course. 'Quiero' is direct but common in casual restaurants; 'quisiera' is more polite.
De plato principal, voy a pedir el pollo asado.
For the main course, I'm going to order the roast chicken.
deh PLAH-toh preen-see-PAL, boy ah peh-DEER el POH-yoh ah-SAH-doh
Use 'de plato principal' or 'de segundo' to introduce the main dish. 'Voy a pedir' means 'I'm going to order'.
¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
Can you bring me the check, please?
meh TRAH-eh lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR
Use this after dessert if you are ready to pay. In some regions, 'la cuenta' is also called 'la adición' (Chile) or 'el recibo' (Caribbean).
De postre, ¿qué me recomienda?
For dessert, what do you recommend?
deh POS-treh, keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dah
Use 'de postre' to ask about dessert. '¿Qué me recomienda?' is a polite way to ask for a recommendation.
¿Nos trae más pan, por favor?
Can you bring us more bread, please?
nos TRAH-eh mas PAN, por fah-VOR
Use this between courses if you want more bread. 'Nos' means 'to us'; for one person, say '¿Me trae más pan?'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To order each course, use 'Para empezar...' (to start), 'De plato principal...' (for the main course), and 'De postre...' (for dessert). Follow each with 'quiero' (I want) or 'voy a pedir' (I'm going to order) plus the dish. For example: 'Para empezar, quiero una ensalada.' 'De plato principal, voy a pedir la carne asada.' 'De postre, quiero helado.' This pattern keeps your order clear and in sequence.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the server takes your order. In many Latin American restaurants, the server may ask '¿Ya saben qué van a pedir?' (Do you know what you're going to order?) or '¿Algo para empezar?' (Something to start?). Answer with the course phrases. If you need more time, say 'Un momento, por favor' (One moment, please). After the main course, the server may ask '¿Desean postre?' (Would you like dessert?). Respond with 'Sí, de postre...' or 'No, gracias, la cuenta, por favor.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas tardes, ¿ya saben qué van a pedir?
Good afternoon, do you know what you're going to order?BWEH-nas TAR-dehs, yah SAH-ben keh ban ah peh-DEERSí. Para empezar, quiero una sopa de tortilla. De plato principal, voy a pedir el pollo asado.
Yes. To start, I want a tortilla soup. For the main course, I'm going to order the roast chicken.see. PAH-rah em-peh-SAR, KYEH-ro OO-nah SOH-pah deh tor-TEE-yah. deh PLAH-toh preen-see-PAL, boy ah peh-DEER el POH-yoh ah-SAH-dohMuy bien. ¿Y para tomar?
Very good. And to drink?mwee BYEN. ee PAH-rah toh-MARAgua de limón, por favor. Y de postre, ¿qué me recomienda?
Lemon water, please. And for dessert, what do you recommend?AH-gwah deh lee-MON, por fah-VOR. ee deh POS-treh, keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, the main meal is often eaten in the afternoon, and restaurants may offer a 'menú del día' (menu of the day) with an appetizer, main course, and dessert included. In Spain, the sequence is similar, but 'la cuenta' is common, while in Chile you might hear 'la adición'. Tipping varies: in Mexico, 10-15% is customary; in Argentina, 10% is common. Always say 'por favor' and 'gracias' to be polite.
One thing to watch for
Using 'ordenar' to mean 'to order food' in a restaurant, as in 'Voy a ordenar la sopa.'
Try this instead: In most of Latin America, 'ordenar' means 'to put in order' or 'to command'. For food, use 'pedir' (to ask for/order) or 'tomar' (to take/have). Say 'Voy a pedir la sopa' or 'Voy a tomar la sopa.' In Spain, 'pedir' is also standard. 'Ordenar' for food is understood in some areas but sounds unnatural.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you order a salad as an appetizer and fish as a main course?
Show a sample answer
Para empezar, quiero una ensalada. De plato principal, voy a pedir el pescado.
This uses the course markers 'para empezar' and 'de plato principal' with 'quiero' and 'voy a pedir'. You could also say 'quisiera' for a more polite tone.
2The server asks '¿Desean postre?' You want flan. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Sí, de postre quiero flan, por favor.
This answers 'yes' and specifies the dessert with 'de postre quiero...'. You could also say 'Sí, flan, por favor' or 'Para mí, flan'.
3You are ready to leave after dessert. What phrase do you use to ask for the check?
Show a sample answer
¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
This is the standard polite way to ask for the check. In Chile, you might say '¿Me trae la adición?'; in some Caribbean countries, 'el recibo' is used.
Remember the three course markers: 'Para empezar' for appetizer, 'De plato principal' for main, and 'De postre' for dessert. Use 'quiero' or 'voy a pedir' to order, and always add 'por favor' for politeness.
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