Spanish Phrase
¿A qué horas abre el restaurante?
Meaning
This question asks for the opening time(s) of a particular restaurant. It can be used when you are planning a meal, making a reservation, or simply curious about business hours. The plural 'horas' suggests you expect a range (e.g., 'de ocho a diez'), but the singular form works just as well.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to know when a restaurant starts serving customers—whether you’re traveling, meeting friends, or checking a new spot online. It’s polite and neutral, suitable for both casual conversation and more formal inquiries at the reception desk.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Aquéhorasabreelrestaurante?
¿A qué...?
The phrase '¿A qué...?' introduces a question about time, place, or manner; the preposition 'a' combines with the interrogative 'qué' and requires an accent on 'qué'.
horas (plural)
'horas' is the plural of 'hora'. Both singular and plural are correct; the plural sounds a bit more formal or emphasizes multiple possible times.
abre (present, 3rd person singular)
The verb 'abrir' is conjugated as 'abre' for 'él/ella/usted' in the simple present, indicating a habitual action like opening hours.
el restaurante (definite article)
Spanish normally uses the definite article before nouns when you refer to a specific place that both speakers know.
🗨In Conversation
¿A qué horas abre el restaurante?
What time does the restaurant open?
Abre a las ocho de la mañana y cierra a las diez de la noche.
It opens at eight in the morning and closes at ten at night.
✕Common Mistakes
a que horas abre el restaurante
Missing accent on 'qué' changes the meaning; the interrogative always carries an accent.
abre el restaurante a qué horas
Word order should place the question phrase at the beginning; otherwise it sounds like a statement.
está abre el restaurante
Use 'abre' (verb abrir) for opening; 'está' is the verb 'estar' and does not convey the same meaning.
↔Alternatives
¿A qué hora abre el restaurante?
What time does the restaurant open?
¿Cuál es el horario de apertura del restaurante?
What are the restaurant's opening hours?
¿A qué hora está abierto el restaurante?
At what time is the restaurant open?
Cultural Tip
Opening hours differ across Spanish‑speaking countries. In many places lunch service starts around 1 p.m. and dinner around 8 p.m., but tourist areas may open earlier. When asking in a formal setting (e.g., a hotel concierge), you can add 'por favor' for extra politeness: '¿A qué horas abre el restaurante, por favor?'.