Ordering at a tapas bar

A busy Madrid bar at nine in the evening is loud, warm and fast. Nobody hands you a menu and waits. But once you know a few key phrases, it’s one of the most fun places to speak Spanish.

Tapa, media ración, ración

Most bars serve the same dish in different sizes, and knowing them saves a lot of confusion:

• una tapa: a small plate or a bite, often enough for one person.
• una media ración: a half portion, good for sharing between two.
• una ración: a full sharing plate for the table.

In some cities, such as Granada or León, a small tapa often comes free with each drink. In Madrid, it’s more common to order and pay for what you want. And in the north, look for pinchos (pintxos in the Basque Country): small bites, often on bread, lined up along the bar.

How to order

Find a spot, at the bar if you can, and catch the waiter’s eye. Spanish bar staff are busy, so short and friendly works best. You’ll often hear locals order with ponme ("give me"). It sounds blunt in English, but it’s normal in a Spanish bar, and a por favor on the end keeps it polite.

«Ponme una caña y una de bravas, por favor.»

In many traditional bars you pay at the end: the staff keep track of what you’ve had. When you’re done, ask «¿Cuánto es?» or «¿Me cobras?».

What to drink

The classic order is una caña, a small glass of draught beer. Ask for un tinto de verano (red wine with lemon soda) on a hot day, un vino tinto or blanco for wine, or un agua con gas for sparkling water. Non-drinkers can order una sin, a non-alcoholic beer.

Phrases for the bar

Tap the speaker to hear each one in Castilian Spanish.

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