"Lunch" in Spanish

Quick Answer

Are you hungry? Is it time for lunch? Lunch in Spanish can be translated as almuerzo or comida, depending on the region. Read on to find out more!

Lunch in Spanish: Almuerzo or Comida?

In most of the Spanish-speaking world, almuerzois the word for lunch. However, you'll also hear the word comida(literally, food) used in Mexico and Spain.

For example:

examples
¿Qué quieres de almuerzo? – Algo ligero. What do you want for lunch? – Something light.
Compramos una pizza para la comida. We bought pizza for lunch.

When's Lunch?

Depending on where you are and who you're talking to in Mexico or Spain, el almuerzo can refer to a midday meal or a light mid-morning meal or snack.

Lunch in Spanish: Almorzar or Comer?

There are also two ways to say the verb to lunch in Spanish. As you might have guessed, in most of the Spanish-speaking world, almorzaris the word for to lunch. You'll also hear the word comer(literally, to eat) used in Mexico and Spain.

For example:

examples
Voy a almorzar con mis hermanas. I’m going to lunch with my sisters.
¡Tengo hambre! ¿A qué hora vamos a comer? I’m hungry! What time are we going to lunch?

Getting Ready for Lunch in Spanish

Are you planning to have lunch at home? Do you have to hacer la compra(do the shopping)? If you’re in a Spanish-speaking country, and you’re going to the supermercado(supermarket), this list of supermarket sections will come in handy.

Spanish	English	Spanish	English
aperitivos	snacks	frutas y verduras	produce
artículos de limpieza	cleaning products	hogar	home
bebidas	drinks	listo para comer	ready-to-eat
carnicería	meat counter	mascotas	pets
charcutería	deli counter	panadería	bakery (bread)
congelados	frozen foods	pastelería	bakery (cakes and pastries)
cuidado personal	personal care	pescadería	fish counter
enlatados	canned goods	productos de limpieza	cleaning products
especias	spices	productos para hornear	baking supplies
farmacia	pharmacy	lácteos	dairy

Going for Lunch in Spanish at a Restaurant

Getting lunch in a Spanish-speaking restaurant? Check out these useful phrases to get yourself seated:

Spanish	English
Una mesa para __ , por favor.	A table for ____ , please.
Tenemos una reservación para __ personas.	We have a reservation for ____ people.

Now you’re seated, and it's time to order. You can ask for a menu with the following phrases:

Spanish	English
Por favor ¿me trae la carta?	Could you please bring me the menu?
Por favor ¿me trae el menú?	Could you please bring me the menu?

And when you’re ready to order, you just need to say:

Spanish	English
¿Podría traerme __ , por favor?	Could you please bring me ____?
Por favor, tráigame __ .	Please bring me ____ .

Let’s see how this all works in a conversation in Spanish.

Mesero:

Buenos días. ¿En qué puedo ayudarlos?

Good morning. How can I help you?

Juana:

Buenos días. Una mesa para dos, por favor.

Good morning, a table for two, please.

Mesero:

¡Por supuesto!

Of course!

Juana:

Por favor, ¿nos trae el menú?

Could you please bring us the menu?

Mesero:

¡Claro! Aquí lo tienen.

Sure! Here you go!

Now that you’re ready for lunch in Spanish, take a look at these articles that will give you more food for thought!

• Traditional Spanish Food

• Expressions with “Comer”

• At the Supermarket