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Useful polite phrases to use with servers in Spain

Delicious Dining: Your Complete Guide to Ordering Food & Drinks in Spanish: Useful polite phrases to use with servers in Spain
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Here are useful polite phrases to use with servers in Spain:

  • Greetings when entering a restaurant:

    • Hola (Hello)
    • Buenos días/tardes/noches (Good morning/afternoon/evening) 1

  • Asking for a table politely:

    • ¿Puedo tener una mesa para [number] personas, por favor? (Can I have a table for [number] people, please?)
    • Quisiera una mesa para [number], por favor. (I would like a table for [number], please) 15, 1

  • Getting the waiter’s attention:

    • Disculpe (Excuse me)
    • Perdón (Pardon me) — commonly used in Spain 2, 4, 7

  • Ordering politely:

    • Para mí, [dish/drink], por favor. (For me, [dish/drink], please)
    • Quiero [dish/drink], por favor. (I want [dish/drink], please)
    • Me pone [dish/drink], por favor? (Can you bring me [dish/drink], please?) — casual but polite in Spain 10, 2

  • Asking for something:

    • ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? (Can you bring me the bill, please?)
    • ¿Me trae otro/a [tenedor/cerveza/pan], por favor? (Can you bring me another [fork/beer/bread], please?) 5, 7, 2

  • Expressing thanks:

    • Gracias (Thank you)
    • Muchas gracias (Thank you very much) 7, 1

  • Responding to thanks politely (useful if you are serving or in hospitality):

    • Es un placer (It’s a pleasure)
    • A su orden (At your service)
    • No hay nada que agradecer (There’s nothing to thank) 6

These phrases show respect and politeness in Spanish dining settings and will help create a positive interaction with servers in Spain. Always add “por favor” (please) and “gracias” (thank you) to be courteous in your requests and interactions.

References

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