What do you recommend?
in Spanish¿Qué me recomienda?
/keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dah/
This is the safest, most polite way to ask for a recommendation, especially from a waiter, a shop assistant, or someone older than you. It uses the 'usted' (formal you) form.
Asking '¿Qué me recomienda?' is the perfect way to start a conversation with your waiter.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué me recomiendas?
/keh meh reh-koh-MYEN-dahs/
The standard informal version used with friends, family, or people your own age. The 's' at the end signals you are using 'tú'.
¿Qué me sugiere?
/keh meh soo-HYEH-reh/
Uses the verb 'sugerir' (to suggest). It feels slightly more polite and soft than 'recomendar'.
¿Qué me aconsejas?
/keh meh ah-kohn-SEH-hahs/
Uses 'aconsejar' (to advise). This implies a deeper level of advice, not just picking a dish.
¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?
/kwahl ehs lah ehs-peh-see-ah-lee-DAHD deh lah KAH-sah/
Literally 'What is the specialty of the house?'
¿Qué me recomendás?
/keh meh reh-koh-men-DAHS/
The 'voseo' form used in the Rioplatense region. Note the stress is on the last syllable.
¿Qué está bueno hoy?
/keh ehs-TAH BWEH-noh oy/
Means 'What's good today?' - very casual and direct.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right word depends on whether you want a casual tip, a polite suggestion, or serious life advice.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | Formal | Waiters, shop assistants, strangers | Talking to close friends or children |
| ¿Qué me recomiendas? | Informal | Friends, family, peers | In very high-end service situations (can seem rude) |
| ¿Qué me aconsejas? | Neutral | Asking for advice on problems/decisions | Ordering a sandwich (too serious) |
📈Difficulty Level
The word is long, but the sounds are standard. The stress falls on the 'mien' part (reh-koh-MYEN-dah).
It's a stem-changing verb (e to ie), but if you just memorize the phrase as a fixed block, it's easy.
Very safe to use. The only nuance is choosing between formal (recomienda) and informal (recomiendas).
Key Challenges:
- Rolling the R in 'recomienda'
- Remembering to use 'usted' form with waiters
💡Examples in Action
No sé qué pedir. ¿Qué me recomienda?
I don't know what to order. What do you recommend?
Voy a viajar a España. ¿Qué ciudades me recomiendas visitar?
I'm going to travel to Spain. Which cities do you recommend I visit?
Busco un regalo para mi madre, ¿qué me sugiere?
I'm looking for a gift for my mother, what do you suggest?
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Menu del Día' Secret
In Spain and parts of Latin America, if you ask for a recommendation at lunch, the waiter might point you toward the 'Menú del Día'. This is a fixed-price meal (usually very affordable) that includes a starter, main, drink, and dessert. It's often where the freshest ingredients end up!
Trusting the Waiter
In Spanish-speaking cultures, waiting staff often take pride in knowing the menu well. It is considered very normal and polite to ask '¿Qué me recomienda?' rather than struggling silently with the menu. They will usually give you an honest opinion about what is fresh.
Recomendar vs. Aconsejar
While both mean to give advice, 'recomendar' is lighter (movies, food, books). 'Aconsejar' is heavier and implies 'counsel' (life choices, problems, legal matters). Asking a waiter '¿Qué me aconseja?' might sound a bit overly dramatic, like you're asking them to solve your life problems!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'Me'
Mistake: "Saying '¿Qué recomiendas?' without the 'me'."
Correction: ¿Qué me recomiendas?
Mixing Politeness Levels
Mistake: "Using 'Señor' (formal) with 'recomiendas' (informal)."
Correction: Señor, ¿qué me recomienda?
💡Pro Tips
Narrowing it down
To get a better answer, add a category to your question. Instead of just asking generally, say '¿Qué vino me recomienda?' (What wine do you recommend?) or '¿Qué postre recomienda?' (What dessert do you recommend?).
The 'Star Dish' Trick
If you want to know the absolute best thing on the menu, ask: '¿Cuál es el plato estrella?' (What is the star dish?). This usually gets you the restaurant's most famous creation.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards are generally more casual with 'tú'. You can often use the informal '¿Qué me recomiendas?' with waiters in tapas bars or cafés without being rude.
Mexico
Mexico tends to be more polite in service interactions. Using the formal 'recomienda' is safer and shows good manners. A waiter might ask you '¿Qué se le antoja?' (What are you craving?).
Argentina/Uruguay
The use of 'Voseo' changes the verb stress. Asking '¿Qué sale mucho?' (What goes out a lot?) is a common way to ask what is popular.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter suggests a dish you like
Le recomiendo el pescado, es muy fresco.
I recommend the fish, it's very fresh.
Perfecto, me trae eso, por favor.
Perfect, bring me that, please.
They give a suggestion you aren't sure about
El pulpo es la especialidad.
The octopus is the specialty.
¿Tiene alguna otra recomendación? No como mariscos.
Do you have another recommendation? I don't eat seafood.
🧠Memory Tricks
'Recomienda' looks and sounds almost exactly like 'Recommend'. Just remember to add 'Me' before it: 'Me Recomienda' = 'Me Recommend'.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we might say 'What IS good?' or 'What WOULD you recommend?' (conditional). In Spanish, it is very common to use the simple present tense '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?) directly. It is not considered rude to be direct.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: If you say '¿Qué es bueno?', you are asking about the moral quality of something. To ask about taste/food quality, you must use 'estar': '¿Qué ESTÁ bueno?'.
Use instead: ¿Qué está bueno?
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to order food in Spanish
Once they recommend something, you'll need to know how to actually order it.
How to say I like it
To give feedback on their recommendation.
How to ask for the bill
The logical conclusion to the dining experience.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What do you recommend?
Question 1 of 3
You are at a fancy restaurant meeting your partner's parents for the first time. How do you ask the waiter for advice?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just say '¿Qué recomiendas?' without the 'me'?
Yes, you can, and people will understand you perfectly. However, adding the 'me' (¿Qué ME recomiendas?) is more natural and common because it specifies who receives the recommendation.
Is it rude to ask the waiter what they recommend?
Not at all! In Spanish-speaking cultures, it is seen as a compliment. It shows you trust their judgment and value their opinion. Waiters are usually happy to help.
What if I don't like their recommendation?
You can politely decline by saying 'Gracias, pero no me gusta mucho el [ingredient]' (Thanks, but I don't like [ingredient] very much) and ask '¿Tiene otra sugerencia?' (Do you have another suggestion?).
How do I ask 'What is the most popular dish?'
You can ask '¿Cuál es el plato más popular?' or '¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?' (What is the house specialty?).
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