Pizza in Spanish: Key vocab to order a Pizza in Spanish

A lot of people say that pizza is the perfect food. Whether you’re trying an Italian variety, you’re savoring an American version, or you’re ordering a pizza in Spanish, you can be pretty sure that you’re about to bite into something delicious. People all over the world love pizza!

It’s said that pizza originated in Italy, in the region of Naples, evolving from earlier flatbread dishes between the 16th and mid-18th century, laying the foundations of what we know today as a modern pizza. The delicious pizza soon made its way across the world, and nowadays it’s one of the most popular dishes you can find anywhere.

Believe it or not, pizza is very popular in many Hispanic countries. So if you’re planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country, knowing all the vocab related to this celestial dish will make a difference to your Spanish pizza experience, especially in culinary terms.

We’ve already published a broader post on how to order food in a restaurant, as well as a vocab post on Spanish food names, and even a cultural post introducing traditional Hispanic dishes. In today’s post we’re getting very specific, covering all the Spanish pizza vocabulary you’ll need! We’ll see ingredients, types of pizza, how to pronounce pizza in Spanish, as well as some useful phrases to order pizza. Let’s go!

How do you say pizza in Spanish?

The pronunciation of pizza in Spanish will vary according to the region where the pizza is ordered, or even according to the speaker!

The main difference in pronunciation is related to how people pronounce the -zz- of pizza in distinct parts of the world.

In Latin America, people generally pronounce the double z in pizza as if it were an s in English, so it sounds something like /peesa/. However, in some regions, you will also hear pizza pronounced as /peetsa/ or /peeksa/.

Across the Atlantic in Spain, speakers pronounce the double z with their characteristic Spanish z sound, which sounds like the th- in the English word think: /peetha/.

Is pizza masculine or feminine in Spanish?

Is it el pizza o la pizza en español? We always use the feminine article for pizza in Spanish, so it’s la pizza or una pizza.

Now that you know how to say pizza in Spanish, let’s move on and see how to order this delicious dish.

Ordering Pizza in Spanish

Whether you find yourself at a pizzería, placing an order over the phone, or even preparing pizza at home, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the details and vocabulary we’re about to present. Once you know all this Spanish pizza vocab, you’ll have no problem ordering your pizza in Spanish!

Pizza types, sizes, and related vocab

Whenever you need to order a pizza, you’ll need to decide the size, the type of crust, and the toppings or ingredients you want. Here we present you with a list of all possible sizes and types of crust you’ll find on a pizza menu in Spanish.

Both in English and in Spanish, pizza may come in different sizes. Let’s see how we can refer to the size of pizzas in Spanish:

Pizza vocab in English	Pizza vocab in Spanish
Extra large size pizza	La pizza extragrande
Large size pizza	La pizza grande
Medium size pizza	La pizza mediana
Small size pizza	La pizza chica
Personal sized pizza	La pizza individual, La pizzeta
Pizza slice	La porción de pizza
Pizza to share	La pizza para compartir

Another important detail that you have to bear in mind while ordering a pizza is the type of crust – la masa, in Spanish ,as well as how it’s cooked. Learn how to refer to some of the most popular crusts and cooking methods Spanish speakers mention when choosing a pizza.

Pizza vocab in English	Pizza vocab in Spanish
Thin crust	La masa fina
Thick crust	La masa gruesa
Stuffed crust	El borde relleno de queso, La orilla rellena de queso
Brick oven pizza	La pizza al horno de leña
New York style pizza	La pizza estilo Nueva York
Pan pizza	La pizza al molde
Stone-baked pizza	La pizza a la piedra

Pizza toppings and ingredients

In Spanish we don’t have a specific translation for toppings. In some restaurants in Latin America they may borrow that English word, but normally in Spanish-speaking pizzerías you’ll find the pizza menu which includes the name of the pizza and the ingredients it contains.

Additionally, you’ll find that a very common way of talking about the pizza toppings in Spanish is by using the phrase pizza de + ingredient.

Toppings in English	Toppings in Spanish
Anchovies	Las anchoas
Artichoke	La alcachofa
Bacon	La panceta, El bacon
Baloney	El balonei, La mortadela
Cheese	El queso
Blue cheese	El queso azul
Cheddar cheese	El queso chedar
Four-cheese pizza	La pizza cuatro quesos
Mozzarella cheese	El queso mozzarela
Provolone cheese	El queso provolone
Chicken	El pollo
Garlic	El ajo
Green bell pepper	El chile verde, El pimiento verde
Ham	El jamón
Cured ham	El jamón serrano
Hard-boiled egg	El huevo duro
Jalapeño pepper	El jalapeño
Mushrooms	Los hongos
Olives	Las aceitunas
Onions	Las cebollas
Pepperoni	El salame, El salami
Pineapple	La piña, El ananá
Shrimps	Los camarones
Spinach	La espinaca
Vegetarian pizza	La pizza vegetariana

Many pizza restaurants have different names for their particular pizzas. Some of them are specialties of the pizzería, but there are standardized names for certain pizzas. In this table we present the most common pizza names in Spanish, detailing their usual ingredients.

Spanish pizza name	Ingredients
Pizza Margarita	Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil
Pizza cuatro quesos	Mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, blue cheese, parmesan cheese
Pizza Hawaiana	Tomato sauce, cheese, ham, pineapple
Pizza Napolitana	Tomato sauce, mozzarella, olive oil, basil
Pizza Caprichosa	Tomato sauce, cheese, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, olives, artichokes

Remember that these are just some of the many varieties of pizza that exist. Each region and country may have its own unique versions and combinations. Enjoy exploring the different options and flavors of pizza!

Useful Phrases to Order Pizza in Spanish

Now that you’re familiar with the vocabulary related to the world of pizza in Spanish, let’s explore how to put it into practice when ordering your favorite pie.

• I would like to order a Caprichosa pizza, please. – Quisiera ordenar una pizza Caprichosa, por favor.

• Would you like a small or a personal-sized pizza? – ¿Quiere una pizza pequeña o individual?

• How many slices does the small anchovies pizza have? – ¿Cuántas porciones trae la pizza pequeña de anchoas?

• Is the pan pizza made with a thin or thick crust? – ¿La pizza al molde es de masa fina o gruesa?

• I’d like to add basil to the mozzarella pizza. – Me gustaría agregarle albahaca a la pizza de mozzarella.

• We would like to order a large onion pizza with a cheese-stuffed crust, please. – Queremos pedir una pizza grande de cebolla con orilla de queso, por favor.

Conclusion: Ordering Pizza in Spanish

Pizza is a universally loved dish that has its roots in Italy but has found its way into the hearts and kitchens of people worldwide, including Hispanic countries.

Understanding the vocabulary related to this heavenly dish can significantly enhance your culinary experiences, especially if you’re visiting a Spanish-speaking country. Now that you’re equipped with the necessary pizza-related terms, types of pizza, pronunciation, and useful phrases for ordering, you’re ready to dive into the delicious world of pizza in Spanish.

So, go ahead, explore the diverse pizza options, and don’t hesitate to use your newly acquired vocabulary. We wish you buen provecho as you dig into your Spanish pizza!