Spanish Phrase
¿Tienen mesas afuera?
Meaning
A polite way to ask a restaurant, café or bar whether they have tables available outside, i.e., outdoor seating. It’s a direct question that expects a yes/no answer or a description of the outdoor area.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a dining place and prefer to sit outside—whether for the weather, a view, or to enjoy the ambience. It works in casual cafés, family‑run restaurants, and even larger hotels.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Tienenmesasafuera?
Tienen (present of tener)
Third‑person plural form of the verb ‘tener’ (to have). Use it when you’re speaking to a group or to a business entity.
mesas (plural noun)
The plural of ‘mesa’ (table). In Spanish nouns agree in number with the verb.
afuera (adverb)
Means ‘outside’ or ‘outdoors’. It does not change with gender or number.
Interrogative punctuation
Spanish questions are enclosed by opening (¿) and closing (?) marks.
🗨In Conversation
¿Tienen mesas afuera?
Do you have tables outside?
Sí, tenemos una zona al aire libre con varias mesas libres.
Yes, we have an outdoor area with several free tables.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Tienes mesas afuera?
‘Tienes’ is singular; you need the plural ‘tienen’ when speaking to a business or a group.
¿Tienen mesas fuera?
‘Fuera’ is an adjective meaning ‘outside’ but not used as an adverb in this context; the correct adverb is ‘afuera’.
¿Tienen mesas fuera?
The phrase should keep ‘mesas’ and ‘afuera’ separate; ‘mesas fuera’ sounds like ‘tables out’ and is ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
¿Hay mesas al aire libre?
Are there tables outdoors?
¿Puedo sentarme afuera?
Can I sit outside?
¿Tienen una terraza disponible?
Do you have a terrace available?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, especially in warm climates, outdoor seating (terraza, patio, veranda) is a big part of the dining experience. It’s common to ask for it before being seated, and staff will often point you to the nearest available spot. Remember to say “por favor” if you want to sound extra courteous.