Learn Spanish (Spain): Dos cañas y una tapa, por favor. - Two small beers and a tapa, please.

In Spain, a caña is a specific way to order a beer: it is a small glass of draft beer. It is the most common way locals order beer because the smaller size ensures it stays cold while you drink it. If you just ask for a cerveza, the bartender will usually ask what size or type you want.

Does una tapa refer to a specific type of food?

No, a tapa is simply a small portion of food meant to be eaten with a drink. It could be anything from a small plate of olives or cheese to a slice of Spanish omelette. In many parts of Spain, you actually get a small tapa for free when you order a drink!

Is it polite to order just by naming the items without using a verb?

Yes, absolutely! While English speakers often use polite verbs like "I would like" or "Could I get", it is completely natural and polite in a Spanish bar to simply name what you want and add por favor at the end. You don't need a full sentence to be polite here.