Survival Spanish Kit. Part 3: Eat and Shop Like a Local

After mastering the basics of getting around, checking into your hotel and talking about the weather, you’re ready to dive deeper into the local experience! In this third part of our Spanish travel phrase guide, we’ll help you enjoy Spain’s amazing food culture, and shop with confidence — all while sounding natural and polite.

Dining Like a Pro

Eating out in Spain is one of the best parts of the trip. Here’s how to order, ask questions, and sound like you belong:

• ¿Puedo reservar una mesa para uno/dos a las…?
  Can I book a table for one/two at…?
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de… – I have a reservation under the name…
• ¿Me pones un café con leche, por favor? – Can I have a coffee with milk, please?
• ¿Qué me recomiendas? – What do you recommend?
  You can also say:
  • …para pedir / comer / desayunar / de tapas
    (…to order / to eat / for breakfast / as tapas)
• ¿Tenéis menú del día? – Do you have a set menu of the day?
• ¿Qué lleva la paella? – What’s in the paella?
• ¿Me pasas la carta, por favor? – Can I have the menu, please?
• Ponme una cervecita, por favor – Give me a little beer, please
  (“-ita” adds a friendly tone)
• Cuando puedas, ¿una tapa de queso y media de jamón?, por favor
  When you can, a cheese tapa and half of ham, please
• ¿Qué tenéis de postres? – What desserts do you have?
• ¡Qué buena pinta tiene todo! – Everything looks so good!
• ¿Puedes prepararnos esto para llevar? – Can you pack this to go?
  (Pointing at leftovers)
• Perdona, ¿la cuenta? Gracias – Excuse me, the bill? Thanks
• Todo espectacular, gracias – Everything was amazing, thank you!

Shopping Essentials

From trendy shops to local markets, these phrases will help you shop smoothly:

• El dependiente / la dependienta – Shop assistant
• El cajero / la cajera – Cashier
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? / ¿Cuánto es? – How much is it?
• ¿Tienes esto en una S / XS / M, etc.? – Do you have this in a small / extra small / medium?
• ¿Tienes esto en verde? – Do you have this in green?
• ¿Puedo probármelo / esto? – Can I try this on?
• ¿Puedo entrar al probador? – Can I go into the fitting room?
• Me lo llevo – I’ll take it
• (No) me queda bien / me está grande / pequeño / estrecho / ancho
  (It doesn’t) fit well / It’s too big / small / tight / loose (for me)
• Con tarjeta / en efectivo – By card / in cash
• ¿Me das una bolsa, por favor? – Can I have a bag, please?
• El ticket, el recibo – The receipt
• La entrada – The entrance / admission ticket
• El billete – Ticket (e.g. for transport)
• ¿Tienes cambio? – Do you have change?
• Estoy echando un ojo, gracias – Just browsing, thank you

Politeness Pays Off

End every interaction with a smile:

• Por favor – Please (use it often!)
• Que tengas un buen día – Have a nice day
• Igualmente – You too
• Muy amable – Very kind of you

Mastering even a few of these phrases will boost your confidence and make your time in Spain even more memorable. Locals appreciate the effort — and you’ll feel more connected to the culture.

Have you already read part 1 and part 2?