Ordering Coffee After Dinner

Ordering a post-meal coffee and learning about the different coffee options available.

You
¿Nos puede traer dos cafés, por favor?
nohs PWEH-deh trah-EHR dohs kah-FEHS, pohr fah-BOHR?
Can you bring us two coffees, please?
Coffee after a meal is a cherished tradition across Latin America, especially in coffee-producing countries like Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Waitress
¿Cómo los prefieren? Tenemos tinto, con leche, cortado, o americano.
KOH-moh lohs preh-FYEH-rehn? teh-NEH-mohs TEEN-toh, kohn LEH-cheh, kohr-TAH-doh, oh ah-meh-ree-KAH-noh.
How do you prefer them? We have black coffee, with milk, cortado, or americano.
'Tinto' means black coffee in Colombia. In other countries, say 'café negro.' A 'cortado' is espresso with a small splash of milk.
You
Un cortado para mí, y un café con leche para ella. ¿Tienen descafeinado?
oon kohr-TAH-doh PAH-rah mee, ee oon kah-FEH kohn LEH-cheh PAH-rah EH-yah. TYEH-nehn dehs-kah-feh-ee-NAH-doh?
A cortado for me, and a coffee with milk for her. Do you have decaf?
'Descafeinado' (decaf) is available at most sit-down restaurants, but less common at small cafes or street stalls.
Waitress
Sí tenemos. ¿Lo quiere descafeinado entonces?
see teh-NEH-mohs. loh KYEH-reh dehs-kah-feh-ee-NAH-doh ehn-TOHN-sehs?
Yes, we do. Would you like it decaf then?
You
No, está bien con cafeína. Todavía nos queda una noche larga.
noh, ehs-TAH byehn kohn kah-feh-EE-nah. toh-dah-BEE-ah nohs KEH-dah OO-nah NOH-cheh LAHR-gah.
No, regular is fine. We still have a long night ahead.
A friendly, lighthearted comment like this helps build rapport with staff. Latin Americans appreciate warmth in conversation.