You’re sitting in a dimly lit tasca in Madrid. The smells of garlic, olive oil, and seared shrimp are heavy in the air. You’ve just finished a plate of gambas al ajillo that changed your life. The waiter comes by, eyebrows raised, gesturing toward your empty plate. You want to tell him it was incredible. But your brain freezes. You revert to the basics. "La comida era muy buena," you mutter. He nods, smiles politely, and walks away.
Technically, you weren't wrong. But you also weren't exactly "right."
Saying the food was very good in spanish is one of those linguistic hurdles where the textbook version and the real-world version live in totally different universes. If you want to actually connect with people—whether you’re in a high-end bistro in Mexico City or a family-run comedor in Medellín—you need more than a literal translation. You need the flavor.
Why "Muy Buena" Is Often the Wrong Choice
Most Spanish learners lean on bueno like a crutch. It’s safe. It’s easy. But honestly, it’s a bit bland. If you tell a chef their signature dish was buena, it’s almost like telling an artist their painting was "neat." It lacks the emotional punch that Hispanic food culture demands.
Food isn't just fuel in Spanish-speaking cultures; it's the centerpiece of social life. Because of that, the language used to describe it is incredibly diverse and regionally specific. One of the biggest mistakes people make is ignoring the distinction between ser and estar. If you say "la comida es muy buena," you’re saying the food (in general, as a concept) is good. If you want to talk about the specific meal you just inhaled, you have to use "la comida estaba muy buena."
That small change from era or es to estaba signals that you’re talking about the experience you just had. It’s the difference between a dry fact and a heartfelt compliment.
The Power of the "Isimo" Suffix
If you want to stick to the word bueno but want to sound 100% more authentic, you need the suffix -ísimo.
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"Estaba buenísimo."
Say it with a little bit of emphasis on the "is." This is the universal "chef’s kiss" of the Spanish language. It’s used from Spain to Chile. It’s short, punchy, and carries a lot more weight than adding muy in front of everything. You’ll hear it in households and five-star restaurants alike. It’s the safe bet when you’re overwhelmed but want to show genuine appreciation.
Stepping Outside the "Good" Box
Let’s get more descriptive. Think about how we use "delicious," "tasty," or "savory" in English. Spanish has even richer layers.
Rico / Rica
In Latin America, rico is king. While it literally means "rich" (like money), in the context of food, it means delicious. If you’re in Mexico or Colombia and you don't say "¡Qué rico!" at least once during a meal, did you even eat? It’s casual, warm, and highly effective. In Spain, you’ll hear it too, though they might lean more toward sabroso.
Sabroso
This is for when the seasoning is just right. It’s about the "sabor" (flavor). Use this when the spices are popping or the sauce is perfectly balanced. It feels a bit more intentional than just saying something tastes good.
Delicioso
Believe it or not, this one is actually a bit "heavy." It’s a big word. Use it for the main course or a complex dessert. It’s a formal compliment that carries a lot of sincerity.
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Regional Hits: How to Sound Like a Local
Spanish is not a monolith. The way you’d praise a taco in Oaxaca is different from how you’d praise a chuletón in Bilbao. Using regional slang is the fastest way to get a smile out of your server.
In Spain, specifically around Madrid and the south, you might hear "está de muerte." No, the food isn't poisonous. It means "it’s to die for." It’s high praise. Another great one is "está para chuparse los dedos"—literally, "it’s for licking your fingers." It’s the Spanish equivalent of "finger-licking good."
Head over to Mexico, and you’ll encounter "está con ganas." This implies the food was made with effort and soul. Or, if you’re feeling very casual and the food is mind-blowing, "está de huevos." Warning: that one is very informal, so maybe don't say it to your mother-in-law unless the vibe is right.
In Argentina, you might hear "es una bomba." It’s a bomb. It’s an explosion of flavor. Usually used for something hearty and satisfying, like a massive steak or a dulce de leche pancake.
The Non-Verbal Cues
Sometimes, the best way to say the food was very good in Spanish isn't with words at all.
Watch the locals. In many places, a slight tilt of the head with a "Mmm" followed by "Increíble" does more than a full paragraph of praise. There’s also the "hand shake" gesture—not a literal handshake, but holding your hand out and shaking it slightly as if you’ve just burnt your fingers, accompanied by a whistle. This usually means "wow, that’s intense/amazing."
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Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don't use caliente to mean spicy. This is the classic gringo mistake. Caliente is temperature. If the salsa is kicking your butt, it’s picante. If you tell a waiter the food is "muy caliente," they’ll offer to let it cool down, not bring you a glass of milk to soothe the spice.
Also, be careful with the word exquisito. In English, "exquisite" can sound a bit posh or even slightly sarcastic if used wrong. In Spanish, exquisito is the highest form of culinary praise. It’s usually reserved for something truly refined. If you use it for a street taco, it might sound a little funny, but the vendor will probably still love you for it.
Mastering the "Que" Structure
One of the easiest ways to sound like a native speaker is to use the "¡Qué [Adjective]!" structure. It’s an exclamation. It shows immediate reaction.
- ¡Qué rico! (How delicious!)
- ¡Qué delicia! (What a delight!)
- ¡Qué maravilla! (How wonderful!)
It’s faster than forming a full sentence like "La comida estaba muy buena" and sounds much more natural in the heat of a meal.
Practical Steps for Your Next Meal
If you're heading out to eat tonight and want to level up your Spanish, try this progression:
- When the food arrives: Take a bite, look at your dining companions, and just say, "¡Qué rico!"
- Mid-meal: When the waiter asks how everything is, don't just say "bien." Say, "Todo está buenísimo, gracias."
- The Final Verdict: When you're paying the bill, look the server in the eye and say, "La cena estuvo excelente. Felicitaciones al chef." (The dinner was excellent. Congrats to the chef.)
Moving beyond "muy buena" isn't about memorizing a dictionary. It’s about matching the energy of the room. The food was very good in Spanish because the culture behind it is vibrant—your language should be too. Stop worrying about perfect grammar and focus on the "flavor" of your words.
Next time you're at a restaurant, pick one regional term or the -ísimo suffix. Use it with confidence. Even if your accent isn't perfect, the effort to move beyond basic textbook phrases shows a level of respect for the culture that always results in better service and maybe even a free digestif.
Stick to estaba for the specific dish you're eating, use rico in the Americas and buenísimo in Europe, and never, ever forget that picante is for heat and caliente is for the stove. You've got this. Now go eat something worth talking about.