Restaurant Portuguese: Ordering, the Bill and Dietary Needs

Eating out is one of the best parts of living in Brasil, and one of the best places to practice Portuguese. The language you need is small and repetitive, which makes it a good place to start. This guide gives you the phrases for each stage of a meal, plus a few notes on how things usually work.

Pronunciation and customs vary by region. Listen to how people around you say things, and copy them.

Getting a table

• Boa noite. Mesa para dois, por favor. (Good evening. A table for two, please.)
• Tem mesa lá fora? (Is there a table outside?)
• Quanto tempo de espera? (How long is the wait?)
• Tenho uma reserva no nome de... (I have a reservation under the name...)

The menu

• O cardápio, por favor. (The menu, please.)
• Tem cardápio em inglês? (Is there a menu in English?)
• O que você recomenda? (What do you recommend?)
• Qual é o prato do dia? (What is the dish of the day?)
• Isso serve quantas pessoas? (How many people does this serve?)

That last question matters. Many dishes in Brasil are made to share, and a single main course can feed two. Ask before you order one each.

Ordering

• Eu vou querer... (I will have...)
• Para mim, o... (For me, the...)
• Mais um, por favor. (One more, please.)
• Sem gelo. / Com gelo. (Without ice. / With ice.)
• Bem passado. / Ao ponto. / Mal passado. (Well done. / Medium. / Rare.)
• Uma água com gás. / Sem gás. (A sparkling water. / Still.)

Dietary needs

Be clear and simple. Say it at the start, and repeat it when the food arrives.

• Sou vegetariano. / Sou vegetariana. (I am vegetarian.)
• Sou vegano. / Sou vegana. (I am vegan.)
• Não como carne. (I do not eat meat.)
• Tenho alergia a... (I am allergic to...)
• amendoim (peanuts), castanhas (nuts), frutos do mar (seafood), camarão (shrimp), leite (milk), glúten (gluten), ovo (egg)
• Isso tem...? (Does this have...?)
• Pode fazer sem...? (Can you make it without...?)

For a serious allergy, carry a card in Portuguese describing it. Staff will take a written card more seriously than a translation app.

During the meal

• Com licença! (Excuse me, to call the waiter.)
• Pode trazer mais guardanapos? (Can you bring more napkins?)
• Está ótimo, obrigado. / obrigada. (It is great, thank you.)
• Onde fica o banheiro? (Where is the bathroom?)

The bill

• A conta, por favor. (The bill, please.)
• Pode dividir em duas? (Can you split it in two?)
• Aceita cartão? (Do you take cards?)
• Débito ou crédito? (Debit or credit? You will be asked this.)
• Pode trazer a maquininha? (Can you bring the card machine?)

The card machine is usually brought to the table. Check the amount on the screen before you tap.

Service and tipping

Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill. Read the bill to see whether one is included before adding a tip. Practice varies; check the bill and ask if you are not sure: "O serviço está incluído?" (Is service included?)

Counters and padarias

Not every meal is at a table. At a bakery counter, you usually order and pay differently. See The padaria counter.

Practice

Restaurant language is a good first goal for a tutor session: role-play ordering, asking about ingredients and paying. See Learning Portuguese with online tutors.

Checklist

1. Learn "a conta, por favor" and "com licença" first.
2. Ask how many people a dish serves.
3. Carry a written card for any serious allergy.
4. Check whether service is included before tipping.
5. Check the amount on the card machine.

Common questions

Is it rude to call the waiter? A polite "com licença" and a raised hand is normal.

Can I take leftovers? Often, yes. Ask: "Pode embrulhar para viagem?" (Can you wrap it to go?)

Mistakes to avoid

• Ordering one main course each without asking. Ask how many people a dish serves.
• Relying on a translation app for an allergy. Carry a written card in Portuguese.
• Tipping twice. Check whether service is already on the bill.
• Waiting for the bill to arrive on its own. In many restaurants you need to ask for it.