How do you order food in Brazilian Portuguese?

The basic phrases you will actually use

Brazilian Portuguese is more direct than European Portuguese in restaurants. You do not need long polite formulas. “Eu quero” (I want) and “Me vê” (literally “see me,” meaning “bring me”) are normal and polite in a casual setting. “Por favor” softens anything if you are unsure.

A waiter may ask “Já escolheu?” (Have you chosen?) or “Vai querer beber algo?” (Would you like something to drink?). You can answer with “Sim, quero…” or “Ainda não, um minuto.” Do not be surprised if the waiter brings the drink first and takes the food order a few minutes later. That is normal.

• Eu quero uma cerveja, por favor. I want a beer, please.
• Me vê um prato de arroz e feijão. Bring me a plate of rice and beans.
• Para mim, o frango grelhado. For me, the grilled chicken.
• Ainda não, um minuto. Not yet, one minute.

At a sit-down restaurant: ordering and asking questions

At a sit-down restaurant, the waiter comes to your table. They may bring a menu and ask “Já sabe o que vai querer?” You can order for yourself with “Para mim, …” and for someone else with “Para ele/ela, …”. If you have questions, use “O que vem nesse prato?” (What comes in this dish?) or “Tem opção sem carne?” (Is there a meat-free option?).

In Brazil, the main dish often comes with rice, beans, farofa and salad. If you do not want something, say “Sem cebola, por favor” (No onion, please) or “Sem pimenta” (No pepper). The waiter may ask “Alguma restrição?” (Any dietary restriction?). Answer honestly. If you are sharing, say “Vamos dividir” (We are going to share).

• Para mim, a feijoada. For me, the feijoada.
• O que vem nesse prato? What comes in this dish?
• Sem cebola, por favor. No onion, please.
• Vamos dividir. We are going to share.

Asking for the bill and paying

When you are ready to leave, you ask for the bill. The most common phrase is “A conta, por favor.” You can also say “Pode trazer a conta?” (Can you bring the bill?). In Brazil, the bill often comes with a printed receipt. Check it before paying. Service charge (10%) is usually included, but it is optional. If you want to pay without the service charge, say “Sem os dez por cento, por favor.”

Payment is usually by card or Pix. Cash is accepted but less common now. You can say “Vou pagar com cartão” (I will pay by card) or “Aceita Pix?” (Do you accept Pix?). If you are splitting the bill, say “Vamos dividir a conta.” The waiter may ask “Débito ou crédito?” (Debit or credit?). Answer “Débito” or “Crédito.”

• A conta, por favor. The bill, please.
• Pode trazer a conta? Can you bring the bill?
• Sem os dez por cento, por favor. Without the 10 percent, please.
• Aceita Pix? Do you accept Pix?

Common questions