Going out to eat and going out for drinks or tapas is way more fun if you know the lingo. Here are the most common phrases used in bars and restaurants in Spain.

¿Cuántos son? – “How many [will be dining today/this evening]?” This is what the host at a fancy restaurant will ask as you enter.

Somos cuatro. – “There are four of us.”

¿Qué les pongo de beber? or simply ¿Qué les pongo? - “What can I get you to drink?”

¿Qué van a tomar? – “What would you like to have [to drink]?”

¿Me pones una Coca-Cola, por favor? – “Could I get a Coke, please?”

¿Saben ya? – “Are you ready to order?”

Yo quiero la pizza alpujarreña. – “I’ll have the alpujarran pizza.”

Perdona. ¿Me traes la cuenta, cuando puedas? – Sorry to bother you. Could you bring me the bill when you get a chance? (In Spain, because waiters and bartenders don’t work for tips, they’re not as attentive as American waiters. So, it takes a little work to get their attention. It’s OK to assertively say “¡Perdona!“