You’re sitting at a sun-drenched table in Madrid. The waiter sets down a plate of jamón ibérico that looks like stained glass. You take a bite. It’s life-changing. You want to be polite, so you look up and say, "¡Este jamón es muy delicioso!"
The waiter smiles, but it’s that polite, slightly strained smile you give a toddler.
Technically? You aren’t wrong. Delicious in Spanish is indeed delicioso. But here is the thing: native speakers almost never say it. It sounds formal. It sounds like a TV commercial for boxed cake mix from 1994. If you want to actually sound like you know what you’re talking about, you have to realize that Spanish isn't just one language—it’s a dozen regional flavors wrapped in a single grammar book.
Let’s get into why "delicioso" is the "thou art" of the modern kitchen and what you should actually be saying.
The Problem With "Delicioso"
Words have vibes. In English, if you say something is "scrumptious," people know what you mean, but they also might think you’re a character in a Roald Dahl book. Delicioso carries that same weight. It’s heavy. It’s stiff.
Honestly, it’s a "dictionary word."
When you search for how to say delicious in Spanish, Google gives you the direct translation. It’s safe. It’s grammatically flawless. But if you’re hanging out at a backyard asado in Argentina or a taco stand in Mexico City, saying "delicioso" makes you stand out as a tourist immediately. Spanish is a visceral language. It’s felt in the chest. People don't just describe the food; they describe their relationship to it.
What People Actually Say (The Real List)
If you want to sound like a local, you need to swap out that textbook vocabulary for something with a bit more soul.
Rico / Rica
This is the undisputed heavyweight champion. If you learn nothing else, learn this. Está rico. It literally means "rich," but in the context of food, it just means it tastes great. It’s the go-to for 90% of situations. You can use it for a five-star steak or a bag of chips. It’s versatile. It’s easy. It’s the "good" of the Spanish food world, but better.
Buenísimo
When rico isn't enough, you add the -ísimo suffix. This is the "super-sized" version of good. It’s emphatic. You’ll hear people say this with a little head shake, like they can’t believe how good the salsa is. ¡Está buenísimo!
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Sabroso
Now we’re getting into the texture of the language. Sabroso comes from sabor (flavor). Use this when something is deeply seasoned. It’s not just "good"—it’s flavorful. It’s what you say when the mole has forty ingredients and you can taste every single one of them.
Es una pasada
This is very Spanish (from Spain). It doesn't mean delicious literally—it means "it’s amazing" or "it’s too much." If you eat a croqueta that changes your worldview, you lean back and say, "Tío, esto es una pasada."
The "Estar" vs. "Ser" Trap
This is where most learners trip and fall flat on their faces. In Spanish, you have two ways to say "to be." This matters immensely when talking about food.
If you say El chocolate es rico, you are saying chocolate, as a concept, is a tasty thing. It’s a permanent quality.
But if you are eating a specific piece of chocolate right now, you must use estar.
Este chocolate está rico.
Using ser (es) for a meal you are currently eating sounds like you are reading a scientific paper about the nutritional value of the dish. It kills the mood. Always go with está when the plate is in front of you.
Regional Slang: Because "Delicious" Changes at the Border
One of the coolest—and most frustrating—parts of Spanish is that every country has its own secret handshake for food.
In Mexico, you might hear está de pelos (literally: it’s of hairs), though that’s a bit old school. More commonly, you’ll hear está de poca madre, which is... let's call it "highly informal." Don't say that to your grandmother-in-law unless you know she’s got a wild sense of humor.
In Colombia, something great is chévere. In Chile, it might be bacán.
But let’s talk about the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico or Cuba, you might hear someone say food is divino. It’s a bit more poetic. It implies the food reached a level of spiritual excellence.
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Then there’s the "finger-licking" equivalent. In many places, you’ll hear está para chuparse los dedos. It’s the literal translation of "it’s so good you’ll lick your fingers." It’s a classic. It’s used everywhere from the streets of Lima to the mountains of Veracruz.
Why Tone Matters More Than Vocabulary
You can have the perfect word for delicious in Spanish, but if you say it like a robot, it won't land. Spanish is a language of gestures.
Have you ever watched a Spaniard eat something they truly love? They don't just chew. They close their eyes. They might make a "mwah" kissing sound with their fingers. They use words like espectacular or increíble.
The word delicioso feels like a wall. It ends the conversation.
But saying ¡Qué rico! with a bit of energy? That opens a door. It tells the cook you appreciate the effort. It connects you to the people at the table.
The Nuance of "Falta Sal" and Other Honest Critiques
Part of being an expert in food language is knowing when not to say it’s delicious. Native speakers are often surprisingly honest about food. If something is bland, it’s soso. If it’s too salty, it’s salado.
Being able to navigate the space between "this is the best thing I've ever eaten" and "this needs more lime" is what makes you sound fluent. Don't be afraid of the middle ground.
Real-World Examples of "Delicious" in Context
Let's look at how this actually plays out in a conversation. Imagine you're at a dinner party.
Scenario A: The Polite Guest
Host: "¿Te gusta la paella?"
You: "Sí, está muy deliciosa."
(Result: You sound like a polite exchange student.)
Scenario B: The Natural Guest
Host: "¿Te gusta la paella?"
You: "¡Madre mía, está buenísima! Te ha salido increíble."
(Result: You get invited back next Sunday.)
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Notice the difference? The second one uses buenísima and adds a bit of "flavor" text (Te ha salido increíble - It turned out incredible).
A Note on "Rico" vs. "Rico"
We should probably address the elephant in the room. Rico also means wealthy.
If you say Ese hombre es rico, you’re talking about his bank account.
If you say Ese hombre está rico, you are... well, you’re saying he looks "tasty."
Context is everything. Please, for the love of all things holy, watch your verbs when describing people versus plates. Unless you're trying to flirt, stick to está rico for the tacos and leave the people out of it.
Common Misconceptions About Food Descriptions
A lot of people think picante (spicy) is a synonym for delicious in Spanish-speaking cultures. It isn't. While many cultures love heat, picante is a descriptor, not a compliment. You can have a picante dish that tastes like cardboard.
Similarly, fresco (fresh) is a huge compliment in coastal areas. If you’re eating ceviche in Peru, saying está fresquito is often a higher compliment than saying it’s delicious. It implies quality, catch-of-the-day status, and respect for the ingredient.
How to Level Up Your Food Game
If you want to move beyond the basics, you have to start using "impact words." These aren't direct translations of delicious, but they serve the same purpose in a more sophisticated way.
- De rechupete: This is a fun, slightly informal way to say something is excellent. It’s very common in Spain.
- Exquisito: Use this for fine dining. If you are eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Mexico City (like Quintonil or Pujol), exquisito is appropriate. It’s refined.
- Un manjar: This refers to "a delicacy." It’s a bit dramatic, but it works when the food is truly special.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Meal
Ready to put this into practice? Don't just memorize a list. Change your habits.
- Stop saying "delicioso" immediately. Just strike it from your vocabulary for a week. Force yourself to use rico, buenísimo, or sabroso.
- Watch the "estar." Every time you talk about food you are eating, consciously check if you used está.
- Listen for the "¡Qué...!" Native speakers love the "¡Qué [adjective]!" structure. ¡Qué rico! ¡Qué bueno! ¡Qué sabroso! It’s the fastest way to sound natural.
- Pay attention to the region. If you're moving to or visiting a specific country, look up their specific word for "cool" or "great." Often, that word doubles as a food compliment.
Spanish isn't just a way to exchange information. It’s a way to share an experience. When you move past the "dictionary" version of the language and start using the words people actually use at their kitchen tables, the food actually starts to taste better. Or maybe it’s just that the people around you are finally happy you stopped talking like a textbook.
Next time you’re handed a taco, a plate of empanadas, or a bowl of gazpacho, take a breath. Forget what the apps taught you. Lean in, take a bite, and just say, "¡Está buenísimo!" It’s all you really need.
To truly master the art of dining in Spanish, start by observing the non-verbal cues around you. Notice how locals use their hands to emphasize the "flavor" of their words. It’s not just about the vocabulary—it's about the passion behind it. Whether you are in a bustling market in Lima or a quiet cafe in Buenos Aires, your appreciation for the food, expressed through the right local terms, will always be the best bridge to a new culture.