Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities to engage in different cultures and make new connections. If you’re planning to visit Catalonia or just interested in learning Catalan, it’s essential to know some basic vocabulary for coffee shops and casual dining. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most commonly used Catalan words and phrases that will help you order food, interact with waitstaff, and enjoy your dining experience like a local.

Cafeteria – A coffee shop.
Ens trobem a la cafeteria en mitja hora?
(Shall we meet at the coffee shop in half an hour?)

Menjar – Food.
Podries recomanar un tipus de menjar típic d’aquí?
(Could you recommend a type of food that is typical from here?)

Beure – Drink.
Què vols beure amb el teu dinar?
(What do you want to drink with your lunch?)

Carta – Menu.
Podem veure la carta dels postres, sisplau?
(Can we see the dessert menu, please?)

Comanda – Order (noun).
El cambrer està anotant la nostra comanda.
(The waiter is taking down our order.)

Commandar – To order (verb).
Ja hem decidit què commandar?
(Have we decided what to order yet?)

Cambrer/ Cambrera – Waiter/Waitress.
El cambrer ens ha donat un excel·lent servei avui.
(The waiter has given us excellent service today.)

Esmorzar – Breakfast.
Per esmorzar, m’agradaria un cafè amb llet i un croissant.
(For breakfast, I would like a coffee with milk and a croissant.)

Dinar – Lunch.
On ens recomanes anar a dinar per aquí a prop?
(Where do you recommend going to lunch around here?)

Sopar – Dinner.
Tens gana? Ja és hora de sopar.
(Are you hungry? It’s time for dinner.)

Taula – Table.
Podries preparar-nos la taula per a quatre, si us plau?
(Could you set the table for four, please?)

Postre – Dessert.
Quin postre tens ganes de provar?
(Which dessert do you feel like trying?)

Compte – Bill/Check.
Podem pagar el compte, quan puguis?
(Can we pay the bill, when you get a chance?)

Propina – Tip.
Sempre deixo una bona propina si el servei és bo.
(I always leave a good tip if the service is good.)

Reserva – Reservation.
Tenim una reserva a nom de Martínez a les nou.
(We have a reservation under the name Martínez at nine o’clock.)

Entrants – Starters/Appetizers.
Quins entrants recomanes?
(Which starters do you recommend?)

By familiarizing yourself with these commonly used Catalan words for the coffee shop and casual dining scene, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your culinary adventures in Catalonia. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these words when you have the opportunity, whether you are in Catalonia or at a local Catalan event. Bon profit! (Enjoy your meal!)