1. Tapa, media ración, ración
A tapa is a small plate, a media ración is half a portion, and a ración is a full plate meant for sharing. Prices are often listed in columns for each size.
🇪🇸 Country menu guide
How to read a Spanish menu and order tapas in Spain
In Spain the same dish can appear in three sizes, lunch has its own fixed-price menu, and the bar counter may be cheaper than the terrace. Learn those patterns and the most common tapas before you go.
How ordering works in Spain
2. Menú del día
On weekdays many restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch with a first course, second course, dessert or coffee, bread, and a drink. It is often the best-value meal of the day.
3. Bar, table, or terrace
Some bars charge more for table or terrace service than at the counter (barra). Meal times run late: lunch around 2 p.m. and dinner after 9 p.m.
4. Paying and tipping
Ask for la cuenta when you are ready. Tax (IVA) is usually included. Tipping is optional; leaving small change is common.
Words you will see on a Spanish menu
| On the menu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tapa | TAH-pah | Small plate |
| Media ración | MEH-dyah rah-THYOHN | Half portion |
| Ración | rah-THYOHN | Full plate for sharing |
| Pintxos / Pinchos | PEEN-chos | Small bites on bread (Basque Country) |
| Menú del día | meh-NOO del DEE-ah | Fixed-price lunch menu |
| Primero / Segundo / Postre | pree-MEH-roh / seh-GOON-doh / POS-treh | First course / second course / dessert |
| A la plancha | ah lah PLAN-chah | Grilled on a hot plate |
| Según mercado (S.M.) | seh-GOON mair-KAH-doh | Market price |
| Precio por kilo | PREH-thyoh por KEE-loh | Price per kilogram |
| Barra / Terraza | BAH-rrah / teh-RRAH-thah | Bar counter / terrace |
| IVA incluido | EE-vah een-kloo-EE-doh | Tax included |
| Sin gluten | seen GLOO-ten | Gluten-free |
Dishes you will often see
Paella de marisco
pah-EH-yah deh mah-REES-koh
Saffron rice with shrimp, mussels, and squid
Tortilla española
tor-TEE-yah es-pah-NYOH-lah
Thick potato and egg omelet
Patatas bravas
pah-TAH-tahs BRAH-vahs
Fried potatoes with spicy sauce and often aioli
Gambas al ajillo
GAHM-bahs al ah-HEE-yoh
Shrimp sizzling in garlic and olive oil
Pulpo a la gallega
POOL-poh ah lah gah-YEH-gah
Boiled octopus with paprika and olive oil
Jamón ibérico
hah-MOHN ee-BEH-ree-koh
Dry-cured Iberian ham
Croquetas
kroh-KEH-tahs
Fried béchamel croquettes, often with ham
Calamares a la romana
kah-lah-MAH-res ah lah roh-MAH-nah
Battered fried squid rings
Albóndigas
al-BON-dee-gahs
Meatballs in tomato or almond sauce
Pimientos de Padrón
pee-MYEN-tohs deh pah-DRON
Blistered small green peppers with sea salt
Gazpacho
gath-PAH-choh
Cold tomato and vegetable soup, often with bread
Churros con chocolate
CHOO-rros kon choh-koh-LAH-teh
Fried dough sticks with thick hot chocolate
Phrases to show restaurant staff
Show these on your screen. The written Spanish is more reliable than pronunciation.
Quiero esto, por favor.
KYEH-roh ES-toh, por fah-VOR.
I would like this, please.
Dos de estos, por favor.
Dos deh ES-tos, por fah-VOR.
Two of these, please.
Una media ración, por favor.
OO-nah MEH-dyah rah-THYOHN, por fah-VOR.
A half portion, please.
¿Qué lleva el menú del día?
Keh YEH-vah el meh-NOO del DEE-ah?
What is in today’s set menu?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah?
Can I pay by card?
La cuenta, por favor.
Lah KWEN-tah, por fah-VOR.
The bill, please.
Common questions
What is the difference between a tapa and a ración?
A tapa is a small single plate, a media ración is half a portion, and a ración is a full plate meant for sharing.
What is menú del día in Spain?
A fixed-price weekday lunch, usually with two courses, dessert or coffee, bread, and a drink.
Do I need to tip in Spain?
Tipping is optional. Leaving small change or rounding up for good service is common.