Ordering a Meal

A typical exchange when ordering food at a restaurant.

Waiter
¡Bienvenido! ¿Qué le puedo ofrecer?
bee-ehn-veh-NEE-doh keh leh PWEH-doh oh-freh-SEHR
Welcome! What can I offer you?
You
Me gustaría ver el menú, por favor.
meh goos-tah-REE-ah vehr ehl meh-NOO pohr fah-VOHR
I'd like to see the menu, please.
'Me gustaría' (I would like) is more polite than 'quiero' (I want).
You
¿Qué me recomienda?
keh meh reh-koh-mee-EHN-dah
What do you recommend?
A great way to discover local dishes.
You
La cuenta, por favor.
lah KWEHN-tah pohr fah-VOHR
The check, please.
Tipping varies by country — 10% is common in Mexico, not expected in Argentina.