Asking for Help Understanding a Menu

You're at a restaurant and can't read the menu — you ask the waiter for help.

You
Disculpe, no sé qué pedir. ¿Qué es esto?
dees-KOOL-peh, noh seh keh peh-DEER. keh ehs EHS-toh?
Excuse me, I don't know what to order. What is this?
Pointing at the menu while saying "¿Qué es esto?" is perfectly normal and not considered rude.
Waiter
Eso es un plato de carne con arroz y plátano frito. Es muy popular.
EH-soh ehs oon PLAH-toh deh KAR-neh kohn ah-RROHS ee PLAH-tah-noh FREE-toh. ehs mooy poh-poo-LAR
That's a meat dish with rice and fried plantain. It's very popular.
You
Suena bien. ¿Y qué me recomienda? ¿Tiene algo sin carne?
SWEH-nah byehn. ee keh meh reh-koh-MYEHN-dah? TYEH-neh AHL-goh seen KAR-neh?
Sounds good. And what do you recommend? Do you have anything without meat?
"¿Tiene algo sin...?" is a versatile phrase — swap in "gluten," "lácteos" (dairy), or "picante" (spicy) for dietary needs.
Waiter
Sí, tenemos una sopa de verduras y también ensalada grande. Las dos son muy buenas.
SEE, teh-NEH-mohs OO-nah SOH-pah deh behr-DOO-rahs ee tahm-BYEHN ehn-sah-LAH-dah GRAHN-deh. lahs dohs sohn mooy BWEH-nahs
Yes, we have a vegetable soup and also a large salad. Both are very good.
You
Perfecto, la sopa de verduras, por favor. ¡Gracias por la ayuda!
pehr-FEHK-toh, lah SOH-pah deh behr-DOO-rahs, pohr fah-BOHR. GRAH-syahs pohr lah ah-YOO-dah!
Perfect, the vegetable soup, please. Thanks for the help!