Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Asking about meat-free dishes and explaining your dietary preferences.

You
Soy vegetariano. ¿Tienen platos sin carne?
soy beh-heh-tah-RYAH-noh. TYEH-nehn PLAH-tohs seen KAHR-neh?
I'm vegetarian. Do you have dishes without meat?
Use 'vegetariano' (male) or 'vegetariana' (female). Vegetarianism is increasingly understood in cities but less so in rural areas.
Waiter
Sí, tenemos ensaladas, sopa de verduras, y unas enchiladas de queso.
see, teh-NEH-mohs ehn-sah-LAH-dahs, SOH-pah deh behr-DOO-rahs, ee OO-nahs ehn-chee-LAH-dahs deh KEH-soh.
Yes, we have salads, vegetable soup, and cheese enchiladas.
You
¿La sopa de verduras lleva caldo de pollo o de res?
lah SOH-pah deh behr-DOO-rahs YEH-bah KAHL-doh deh POH-yoh oh deh rrehs?
Does the vegetable soup have chicken or beef broth?
Always ask about broth! Many 'vegetable' soups in Latin America are made with meat-based broth ('caldo de pollo' or 'caldo de res').
Waiter
Lleva caldo de pollo. Pero le podemos preparar una con solo verduras.
YEH-bah KAHL-doh deh POH-yoh. PEH-roh leh poh-DEH-mohs preh-pah-RAHR OO-nah kohn SOH-loh behr-DOO-rahs.
It has chicken broth. But we can prepare one with just vegetables for you.
You
Eso sería perfecto. Y sin queso también, porque soy vegano.
EH-soh seh-REE-ah pehr-FEHK-toh. ee seen KEH-soh tahm-BYEHN, POHR-keh soy beh-GAH-noh.
That would be perfect. And without cheese too, because I'm vegan.
'Vegano/vegana' is understood in cities but may need explanation in rural areas. You can say 'no como nada de animal' (I don't eat anything from animals) for clarity.