This is not easy to do in Spain as the traditional diet is fixated around fish and shellfish and you wont find the word 'vegetarian' in most phrasebooks. Let's start from basics, the restaurant staff are going to need to know that you are a vegetarian …so here's how to tell them:


Spanish: Soy vegetariono(na) use the 'na' ending if you are female
Phonetics: Soy bekhay-tarryanno the 'g' is pronounced like the 'ch' in loch and roll all 'r's
English: I am vegetarian

Try asking about vegetarian dishes:


Spanish:  Tiene algo comidas vegetariana? (no need to change the end this time as you are talking about the food).
Phonetics: Tee-yaynay al-go komm eedahs bekha- tarryanno
English: Do you have any vegetarian meals?


Resist the impulse to get up and leave if the answer is a perplexed 'no.' Most cafés, bar and restaurants are capable of rustling up basic dishes that may not be on the menu …if you ask!

An omelette with chunks of potato cooked into it is:

Spanish: Totilla con patatas
Phonetics: Torr-teeyah kon patta-tahs
English: Omelette with potatoes

You can order a salad:


Spanish: Ensalada sin carne y pescado
Phonetics: Ayn-salladda seen karrnay ee pays-kaddo
English: Salad without meat or fish

You can also get grilled vegetables at some restaurants, by asking for:


Spanish:  Venduras a la plancha
Phonetics: Baindooras ah lah plan-chah
English: Grilled vegetables


Rice and pasta are other options:


Spanish: Tiene algo comidas de arroz/pasta sin carne y pescado?
Phonetics: Tee-yaynay al-go kommeedahs day arroth/pasta seen karrnay ee payskaddo
English: Do you have rice/pasta dishes without meat and fish?

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