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How to Say "delicious" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “delicious” is “rico” — use 'rico' for a general, enthusiastic, and very common way to say food is delicious, especially in informal conversation.

rico🔊A1

Use 'rico' for a general, enthusiastic, and very common way to say food is delicious, especially in informal conversation.

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buenísimoA1

Use 'buenísimo' to strongly emphasize that food is excellent or extremely good, often conveying a higher degree of praise than 'bueno'.

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delicioso🔊A1

Use 'delicioso' for a direct and universally understood translation of 'delicious' that applies to food, taste, and even smells.

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sabroso🔊A1

Use 'sabroso' to describe food that has a high-quality, rich, or pleasing flavor, often implying it's well-seasoned or flavorful.

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buena🔊A2

Use 'buena' to simply state that food is tasty or good, functioning as a less intense but perfectly acceptable alternative to 'delicious'.

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exquisito🔊A2

Use 'exquisito' to describe food or drink that is exceptionally delicious, refined, or high-quality, often used for special dishes or fine dining.

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English → Spanish

rico

REE-kohˈriko

AdjectiveA1Informal
Use 'rico' for a general, enthusiastic, and very common way to say food is delicious, especially in informal conversation.
A single slice of rich chocolate cake sitting on a white plate, with steam rising gently and a bright red strawberry garnish.

Examples

¡Qué rico está este café! ¿Qué le pusiste?

How delicious this coffee is! What did you put in it?

La comida mexicana es muy rica en especias.

Mexican food is very rich in spices (flavorful).

Taste requires 'Estar'

Mistake: “El pastel es rico. (The cake is a rich person.)”

Correction: El pastel está rico. (The cake tastes good.) The verb 'estar' is always used when describing how food currently tastes.

buenísimo

AdjectiveA1Informal
Use 'buenísimo' to strongly emphasize that food is excellent or extremely good, often conveying a higher degree of praise than 'bueno'.

Examples

Este café está buenísimo.

This coffee is very good/delicious.

delicioso

deh-lee-see-OH-sodeliˈsjo.so

AdjectiveA1Neutral
Use 'delicioso' for a direct and universally understood translation of 'delicious' that applies to food, taste, and even smells.
A single, perfectly ripe, bright red strawberry glistening with moisture, sitting on a clean white surface.

Examples

Este pastel de chocolate es realmente delicioso.

This chocolate cake is truly delicious.

La cena que preparaste estaba deliciosa.

The dinner you prepared was delicious (feminine form).

Pasamos un momento delicioso en la playa.

We spent a delightful moment at the beach.

Matching the Word

As an adjective, 'delicioso' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use '-a' for feminine words (la pizza deliciosa) and add '-s' for plural words (los pasteles deliciosos).

Using Ser vs. Estar

When talking about food, we usually use 'estar' (to be) because the deliciousness is a temporary state or the result of preparation: 'La sopa está deliciosa' (The soup is delicious right now).

Forgetting Gender Match

Mistake: “La comida es delicioso.”

Correction: La comida es deliciosa. (Because 'comida' is feminine, the adjective must end in -a.)

sabroso

sah-BROH-sohsaˈβɾoso

AdjectiveA1Neutral
Use 'sabroso' to describe food that has a high-quality, rich, or pleasing flavor, often implying it's well-seasoned or flavorful.
A slice of golden-brown pizza with melting cheese and vibrant red tomato sauce on a white plate.

Examples

Este pollo asado está muy sabroso.

This roasted chicken is very tasty.

Mi abuela prepara unas empanadas sabrosas.

My grandmother makes some delicious empanadas.

Buscamos un restaurante que sirva comida sabrosa y barata.

We are looking for a restaurant that serves tasty and cheap food.

Matching the Gender

Since this is a describing word, it must match the thing it describes. Use 'sabroso' for masculine things (el pan sabroso) and 'sabrosa' for feminine things (la fruta sabrosa).

Using 'Estar' vs 'Ser'

Use 'estar' when talking about a specific meal you are eating right now (Esta sopa está sabrosa). Use 'ser' when talking about a food in general (El chocolate es sabroso).

Forgetting the Plural

Mistake: “Los tacos son sabroso.”

Correction: Los tacos son sabrosos. Always add an 's' if you are describing more than one thing.

buena

BWEH-nahˈbwena

AdjectiveA2Neutral
Use 'buena' to simply state that food is tasty or good, functioning as a less intense but perfectly acceptable alternative to 'delicious'.
A woman smiling with her eyes closed in delight as she tastes a spoonful of soup.

Examples

¡La sopa está muy buena!

The soup is very good/tasty!

Esta tarta de manzana está buenísima.

This apple pie is delicious.

Use 'Estar' for Taste

To describe how food tastes right now, use the verb 'estar'. 'La sopa está buena' means this specific soup tastes good. 'La sopa es buena' means soup, in general, is good for you.

exquisito

ex-kee-SEE-toheks.ki.ˈsi.to

AdjectiveA2Formal/Neutral
Use 'exquisito' to describe food or drink that is exceptionally delicious, refined, or high-quality, often used for special dishes or fine dining.
A single, beautifully decorated cupcake with a swirl of pink frosting and a red cherry on top, sitting on a small white plate.

Examples

El postre de chocolate está exquisito.

The chocolate dessert is delicious.

Me sirvieron un vino blanco exquisito en el restaurante.

They served me a superb white wine at the restaurant.

Esta sopa tiene un sabor realmente exquisito.

This soup has a truly exquisite flavor.

Matching the Gender

This word ends in -o when describing masculine things (el vino) and changes to -a for feminine things (la comida).

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'está' when you are eating something right now and want to say it tastes great. Use 'es' to say a specific recipe or food is generally high quality.

Overusing 'Muy'

Mistake: “Es muy exquisito.”

Correction: Just say 'Es exquisito'. This word is already very strong on its own, so adding 'muy' (very) is often unnecessary.

Choosing Between 'Rico' and 'Delicioso'

Learners often wonder if 'rico' or 'delicioso' is the 'correct' translation for 'delicious'. While both work, 'rico' is far more common in everyday, informal speech and often carries more enthusiasm. 'Delicioso' is a perfect, direct translation but can sometimes sound slightly more formal or less spontaneous than 'rico'.

Related Translations

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