Spanish Vocabulary for Food & Drinks: Essential Words Every Learner Should Know
Learning Spanish opens up a world of flavor — literally! From ordering tapas in Madrid to sipping café con leche in Mexico City, knowing the right food and drink vocabulary helps you connect with locals and enjoy authentic experiences.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most useful Spanish words and phrases for food and drinks, categorized for easy learning. Whether you’re studying Spanish for travel, work, or fun, these words will help you sound confident at any restaurant or café.
1. Common Food Words (Comida Común)
Let’s start with the basics — everyday food items you’ll find on most Spanish-speaking tables.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bread | Pan | pahn |
| Cheese | Queso | keh-soh |
| Egg | Huevo | weh-boh |
| Meat | Carne | kar-neh |
| Fish | Pescado | pehs-kah-doh |
| Chicken | Pollo | poh-yoh |
| Rice | Arroz | ah-rohs |
| Soup | Sopa | soh-pah |
| Salad | Ensalada | ehn-sah-lah-dah |
| Fruit | Fruta | froo-tah |
| Vegetables | Verduras / Vegetales | vehr-doo-ras / beh-heh-tah-lehs |
💡 Tip: In Latin America, vegetales is common, while verduras is more typical in Spain.
2. Breakfast Foods (Desayuno)
Breakfast in Spanish-speaking countries varies by region — from light pastries to hearty meals. Here are key terms to know:
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Café | kah-feh |
| Milk | Leche | leh-cheh |
| Juice | Jugo (LatAm) / Zumo (Spain) | hoo-go / soo-moh |
| Toast | Tostada | tohs-tah-dah |
| Butter | Mantequilla | mahn-teh-kee-yah |
| Jam | Mermelada | mehr-meh-lah-dah |
| Eggs (scrambled) | Huevos revueltos | weh-bohs reh-bwehl-tohs |
| Cereal | Cereal | seh-reh-ahl |
| Pancakes | Panqueques / Tortitas | pahn-keh-kehs / tohr-tee-tahs |
3. Lunch and Dinner Dishes (Almuerzo y Cena)
Main meals are often the highlight of the day. Here’s how to describe what’s on the menu:
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Sandwich | Sándwich / Bocadillo (Spain) | sahn-dwee-ch / boh-kah-dee-yoh |
| Salad | Ensalada | ehn-sah-lah-dah |
| Steak | Bistec / Filete | bees-tehk / fee-leh-teh |
| Pasta | Pasta | pahs-tah |
| Potatoes | Papas / Patatas | pah-pahs / pah-tah-tahs |
| Beans | Frijoles / Judías | free-ho-lehs / hoo-dee-ahs |
| Soup | Sopa | soh-pah |
| Rice with chicken | Arroz con pollo | ah-rohs kohn poh-yoh |
| Grilled fish | Pescado a la parrilla | pehs-kah-doh ah lah pah-ree-yah |
4. Desserts and Sweets (Postres y Dulces)
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Cake | Pastel / Torta | pahs-tehl / tohr-tah |
| Ice cream | Helado | eh-lah-doh |
| Cookie | Galleta | gah-yeh-tah |
| Chocolate | Chocolate | cho-koh-lah-teh |
| Candy | Caramelo / Dulce | kah-rah-meh-loh / dool-seh |
| Pie | Tarta / Pay (Mexico) | tahr-tah / pahy |
5. Drinks (Bebidas)
Whether you’re in a café, bar, or restaurant, these words will help you order like a pro.
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Agua | ah-gwah |
| Sparkling water | Agua con gas | ah-gwah kohn gahs |
| Soda | Refresco / Gaseosa | reh-frehs-koh / gah-seh-oh-sah |
| Beer | Cerveza | sehr-beh-sah |
| Wine | Vino | bee-noh |
| Red wine | Vino tinto | bee-noh teen-toh |
| White wine | Vino blanco | bee-noh blahn-koh |
| Coffee | Café | kah-feh |
| Tea | Té | teh |
| Juice | Jugo / Zumo | hoo-go / soo-moh |
6. Useful Restaurant Phrases
Knowing food vocabulary is one thing — but using it naturally in conversation is even better. Here are some handy phrases for eating out:
-
“I’m hungry.” → Tengo hambre.
-
“I’m thirsty.” → Tengo sed.
-
“Can I see the menu?” → ¿Puedo ver el menú?
-
“I’d like to order…” → Quisiera pedir…
-
“This is delicious!” → ¡Está delicioso!
-
“Can I have the check, please?” → ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor?
💡 Cultural Tip: In Spain, meals are more social and often take longer, while in Latin America, service tends to be faster and more casual.
7. Regional Favorites to Know
Different Spanish-speaking countries have iconic dishes worth learning:
| Country | Famous Dish | Spanish Term |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Tacos | Tacos |
| Spain | Paella | Paella |
| Argentina | Grilled steak | Asado |
| Peru | Marinated seafood | Ceviche |
| Cuba | Shredded beef stew | Ropa vieja |
| Colombia | Mixed platter | Bandeja paisa |
These words not only enrich your vocabulary but also connect you with the cultural heart of Spanish-speaking countries.
Final Thoughts
Mastering Spanish food and drink vocabulary makes travel, dining, and cultural exchanges much more enjoyable. Practice by labeling foods at home, watching cooking shows in Spanish, or ordering in Spanish at restaurants.
The more you use these words in real life, the more natural they’ll feel. So next time you sit down to eat, try saying it en español — your taste buds and language skills will thank you!