If you love food and you’re learning Spanish, knowing how to say “delicious” is essential! Whether you’re traveling, eating out, or chatting with native speakers, there are many fun and natural ways to say “delicious” in Spanish that go beyond just “delicioso.”
In this post, you’ll learn different Spanish phrases to compliment food, examples of how to use them, and when to choose “es” or “está.”
🥑 1. Está delicioso / Es delicioso — It’s Delicious
This is the most direct translation of “it’s delicious.”
✅ Use “está” when talking about something you’re currently eating.
✅ Use “es” when describing a food in general.
Examples:
- ¡Está delicioso este pastel! — This cake is delicious!
- El chocolate es delicioso. — Chocolate is delicious.
Keyword tip: Both “está delicioso” and “es delicioso” are among the most common Spanish food compliments you’ll hear.
🌮 2. Está riquísimo / Es riquísimo — It’s Really Tasty
When something is super good, this is the perfect word!
Examples:
- ¡Está riquísima la sopa! — The soup is really delicious.
- El café colombiano es riquísimo. — Colombian coffee is delicious.
👉 Remember to match gender: riquísimo (masculine), riquísima (feminine).
🍛 3. Qué sabroso / Qué sabrosa — How Tasty!
A very common Latin American phrase that expresses delight.
Examples:
- ¡Qué sabroso está el arroz con pollo! — How tasty this rice with chicken is!
- ¡Qué sabrosa está la salsa! — The sauce is so tasty!
You can also say “muy sabroso” (very tasty).
🍰 4. Qué delicia / Es una delicia — What a Delight!
These are elegant ways to express that something is delicious.
Examples:
- ¡Qué delicia de postre! — What a delicious dessert!
- Es una delicia este café. — This coffee is delightful.
☕ 5. Está muy rico / Es muy rico — It’s Tasty
In Spanish, rico literally means “rich,” but when used with food it means “tasty” or “delicious.”
Examples:
- ¡Está muy rico el guacamole! — The guacamole is very tasty.
- El pan de aquí es muy rico. — The bread here is really good.
This phrase is used everywhere in Latin America.
🍓 6. Me encanta / Me fascina — I Love It / I’m Crazy About It
These expressions show enthusiasm for food.
Examples:
- ¡Me encanta esta comida! — I love this food!
- Me fascina el ceviche. — I’m obsessed with ceviche!
They’re great ways to express strong positive reactions.
⚡ Quick Grammar Tip: “Es” vs. “Está”
You can use both, but the meaning changes slightly:
- Es → General descriptions (chocolate is delicious)
- Está → Specific situations (this chocolate tastes delicious right now)
🔍 Common Questions About Saying “Delicious” in Spanish
1. What’s the most common way to say “delicious” in Spanish?
➡️ Delicioso or rico are the most common and natural in all Spanish-speaking countries.
2. Can I say “sabroso” for drinks?
➡️ Yes! You can say “qué sabroso está este café” or “está sabrosa la limonada.”
3. Is there a difference between “delicioso” and “rico”?
➡️ Delicioso sounds a bit more formal; rico is more casual and widely used.
🌎 Practice Complimenting Food in Real Life
Learning these Spanish food expressions is fun, but you’ll remember them best when you use them! Try practicing them at a restaurant or during one of our Spanish immersion programs in Latin America — where you’ll enjoy authentic meals and real-life conversation practice.
