Ice Cream In Spanish: Flavors And How To Order

If you love ice cream (helado), you’ll definitely want to know how to order it in Spanish.

In this guide, I’ll teach you all the essential phrases and vocabulary, so you can confidently order it for yourself.

Basic ice cream words

Here are some of the most common words you’ll need when ordering ice cream in Spanish:

• Ice cream: Helado
• Ice cream shop: Heladería
• Cone: Cono 🍦
• Cup: Vaso or tarrina 🍨
• Scoop: Bola
• Small: Pequeño
• Medium: Mediano
• Large: Grande
• To go: Para llevar
• To eat here: Para tomar aquí

If you’re wondering whether or not helado and gelato are somehow related, the answer is yes (and no). They are etymologically derived from the same Latin word gelare (to freeze).

But they are also different, as Italian gelato has come to mean a unique Italian style of ice cream to the rest of the world. In fact, even in English-speaking countries, gelato is understood to be different to ice cream.

Another note: helado takes on a bit of a unique meaning in Argentina as they have their own Argentinian style of ice cream which is more like gelato.

Ice cream flavors

There are many delicious ice cream flavors to choose from. Here’s a table with some of the most popular ones in Spanish:

Ordering ice cream

Here are some useful phrases to help you order ice cream:

• I would like an ice cream: Quisiera un helado
• I want a cone/cup: Quiero un cono/vaso/una tarrina
• How many scoops? ¿Cuántas bolas?
• I want one/two/three scoops: Quiero una/dos/tres bolas
• What flavors do you have? ¿Qué sabores tiene?
• I want [flavor]: Quiero de [flavor]
• For here or to go? ¿Para tomar aquí o para llevar?
• How much is it? ¿Cuánto es?

Polite vs direct expressions

Spanish, like English, has both formal and informal ways to ask for something. Here’s a useful comparison when ordering:

Spanish variations: cup or tub?

Depending on the Spanish-speaking country, the word for “cup” may vary:

Dialogue examples

Here are a couple of dialogue examples to show you how to order ice cream in different situations:

Dialogue 1:

Hola, quisiera un helado, por favor.

Hello, I would like an ice cream, please.

¡Claro! ¿En cono o en vaso?

Of course! In a cone or a cup?

En cono, por favor.

In a cone, please.

¿Cuántas bolas?

How many scoops?

Dos bolas.

Two scoops.

¿Qué sabores?

What flavors?

Chocolate y fresa, por favor.

Chocolate and strawberry, please.

¿Algo más?

Anything else?

No, eso es todo. ¿Cuánto es?

No, that's all. How much is it?

Son 5 euros.

It's 5 euros.

Aquí tiene.

Here you go.

¡Gracias! ¡Que disfrutes tu helado!

Thank you! Enjoy your ice cream!

Dialogue 2:

¡Buenas tardes! ¿Qué se le ofrece?

Good afternoon! What can I get for you?

Quisiera una tarrina grande con tres bolas, para llevar.

I'd like a large cup with three scoops, to go.

¿Qué sabores quiere?

What flavors would you like?

Vainilla, dulce de leche y pistacho, por favor.

Vanilla, dulce de leche, and pistachio, please.

Claro que sí. ¿Algo más para beber?

Sure thing. Anything else to drink?

No, solo el helado.

No, just the ice cream.

Vale, serían 7 euros.

Okay, that'll be 7 euros.

Aquí tiene 10 euros.

Here's 10 euros.

Aquí tiene su cambio, y gracias por su compra.

Here's your change, and thank you for your purchase.

Final tips

• Just point: If you’re unsure about a word or pronunciation, just point and ask “¿qué sabor tiene?” (what flavor is it?)
• Toppings and extras: You might hear con chocolate, con sirope, or con galleta — with chocolate, syrup, or a cookie.
• Common follow-up questions: Staff may ask “¿Algo más?” (Anything else?) or “¿Desea probar?” (Would you like to try [a sample]?)

Now that you’ve got the essentials, go treat yourself. 🍦

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