When someone shares their food, enjoying a special meal together is always joyful. Saying it looks delicious can be simple yet warm, and it’s a great way to show excitement. Sometimes, finding other ways to say the right words makes them sound personal, caring, and thoughtful. Other Ways to Say “That Looks Delicious” (With Examples) make people feel appreciated, add warmth to a conversation, and even turn a shared, memorable casual dinner with friends or a professional setting into an enjoyable experience.
I’ve noticed that when that great feels of personality and sincerity appear at a party, during eating at home, or sharing online, it can convey a varied range of found loss of words without becoming repetitive. A mouthwatering dish can be presented perfectly and fine to compliment without repeatedly resorting to the same phrase, which is especially valuable for enthusiasts in culinary circles. The challenge lies in expressing appreciation for appetizing food without repetition.
Did You Know “That Looks Delicious”
Did you know that describing food vividly can enhance someone’s perception of taste? Using words beyond “delicious” not only conveys excitement but can also evoke a sensory experience. Linguists call this the “semantic enhancement effect”, where descriptive language makes flavors seem more appealing before you even taste them.
What Does “That Looks Delicious” Mean
When you say “That looks delicious”, you are expressing visual appreciation for food, suggesting that it seems appetizing and appealing. It’s more than just a casual compliment—it communicates anticipation, pleasure, and admiration for the effort behind the dish.
Professional or Political Way to Say “That Looks Delicious”
In professional or formal contexts, you might want to tone down casual excitement while still acknowledging the appeal of food. Phrases like “This presentation is impressive” or “The dish appears exquisite” work well in professional settings, conveying respect for the chef’s skill without sounding overly informal.
“That Looks Delicious” Synonyms
- Mouth-Watering
- Delectable
- Scrumptious
- Appetizing
- Yummy
- Lip-Smacking
- Divine
- Tempting
- Exquisite
- Finger-Licking Good
- Tantalizing
- Heavenly
- Delightful
- Sumptuous
- Savory
- Pleasant
- Rich
- Appetizing-Looking
- Enticing
- Scrumptious-Looking
- Pleasurable
- Mouth-Pleasing
- Lip-Teasing
- Flavorsome
- Yummy-Looking
- Inviting
- Delicious-Looking
- Palatable
- Tempting-Looking
- Ambrosial
1. Mouth-Watering
Definition: Something that looks so appetizing it makes your mouth salivate.
Meanings: Extremely appealing, visually tempting.
Example: “This chocolate cake is absolutely mouth-watering!”
Detailed Explanation: The phrase “mouth-watering” emphasizes a strong sensory reaction to food. It’s commonly used when a dish looks irresistibly good and stimulates anticipation of taste. It’s vivid and universally understood.
Tone: Casual, expressive, enthusiastic
Best Use: Social media captions, friendly compliments, informal food reviews
2. Delectable
Definition: A sophisticated way to say that food is extremely tasty.
Meanings: Pleasing to the taste, delicious, delightful.
Example: “These pastries are simply delectable.”
Detailed Explanation: Delectable carries a refined and elegant tone. It’s perfect for gourmet dishes, high-end restaurants, or formal reviews. It implies both visual and taste appeal and elevates your compliment to sound polished.
Tone: Formal, elegant
Best Use: Professional reviews, dinner parties, upscale restaurants
3. Scrumptious
Definition: Extremely appetizing and delightful in flavor.
Meanings: Delicious, satisfying, delightful.
Example: “That pasta looks scrumptious!”
Detailed Explanation: Scrumptious conveys warmth and a homely charm. It is playful yet appreciative, making it ideal for casual conversations. This word is often used when expressing joy and comfort related to food.
Tone: Casual, playful
Best Use: Friends, family, casual food blogs
4. Appetizing
Definition: Appealing to the senses, especially the sight and smell of food.
Meanings: Tempting, inviting, stimulating appetite.
Example: “The aroma and colors of this salad make it so appetizing.”
Detailed Explanation: Appetizing is versatile and neutral, suitable for both casual and professional contexts. It focuses on the overall presentation and appeal of a dish rather than just taste.
Tone: Neutral, versatile
Best Use: Menus, blogs, reviews, formal discussions
5. Yummy
Definition: Simple and fun way to describe tasty food.
Meanings: Delicious, pleasing to eat.
Example: “Wow, that burger looks yummy!”
Detailed Explanation: Yummy is informal and friendly. It’s expressive but lighthearted, often used among children, friends, or in casual social media posts.
Tone: Casual, cheerful
Best Use: Family meals, casual dining, social media
6. Lip-Smacking
Definition: So tasty it makes you want to lick your lips.
Meanings: Highly flavorful, extremely delicious.
Example: “These ribs look lip-smacking!”
Detailed Explanation: Lip-smacking adds a playful and sensory dimension to your compliment. It implies a visceral reaction to delicious food, perfect for emphasizing enjoyment.
Tone: Playful, vivid
Best Use: Informal settings, food blogs, enthusiastic reviews
7. Divine
Definition: Exceptionally delightful or heavenly in taste.
Meanings: Perfectly pleasing, excellent flavor.
Example: “This tiramisu looks divine!”
Detailed Explanation: Divine carries a spiritual or elevated connotation. It suggests the food is almost transcendent in its quality and presentation, making it ideal for gourmet dishes.
Tone: Elegant, spiritual
Best Use: High-end cuisine, gourmet blogs, formal occasions
8. Tempting
Definition: Attractive and inviting to the senses.
Meanings: Provoking desire or appetite.
Example: “Those cupcakes are so tempting!”
Detailed Explanation: Tempting emphasizes allure and appeal. It works well when describing visually stunning or creatively presented food.
Tone: Casual, suggestive
Best Use: Social media captions, food photography, friendly compliments
9. Exquisite
Definition: Extremely beautiful and delicate in taste or appearance.
Meanings: Perfectly crafted, delightful, refined.
Example: “This sushi platter looks exquisite.”
Detailed Explanation: Exquisite is elegant and sophisticated, suitable for formal dining or upscale presentations. It conveys admiration for both appearance and craftsmanship.
Tone: Formal, refined
Best Use: Gourmet reviews, upscale dining, professional blogs
10. Finger-Licking Good
Definition: So tasty that you want to savor every bit.
Meanings: Delicious, extremely enjoyable.
Example: “These fried chicken wings are finger-licking good!”
Detailed Explanation: Finger-licking good is playful and expressive. It evokes imagery of enjoyment and satisfaction, perfect for casual contexts or comfort foods.
Tone: Casual, enthusiastic
Best Use: Informal dining, social media posts, food reviews
11. Tantalizing
Definition: Extremely tempting or appealing, especially to taste.
Meanings: Provoking interest, exciting the senses, tempting.
Example: “The aroma of these freshly baked cookies is tantalizing.”
Detailed Explanation: Tantalizing conveys a sense of teasing delight—your senses are drawn in even before tasting. It works well for food that is visually and aromatically attractive.
Tone: Sophisticated, enthusiastic
Best Use: Food photography captions, gourmet blogs, informal discussions
12. Heavenly
Definition: Exceptionally pleasing, almost divine in taste.
Meanings: Delightful, blissful, extraordinary flavor.
Example: “This chocolate mousse looks heavenly.”
Detailed Explanation: Heavenly gives a spiritual or elevated feel to your compliment. It emphasizes exceptional quality and pleasure, perfect for desserts or gourmet dishes.
Tone: Romantic, elegant
Best Use: Dessert descriptions, social media posts, refined settings
13. Delightful
Definition: Pleasing to all senses, bringing joy.
Meanings: Charming, enjoyable, appetizing.
Example: “What a delightful presentation of this fruit platter!”
Detailed Explanation: Delightful is versatile and warm, expressing appreciation without exaggeration. It’s ideal for casual, family-friendly, or professional contexts.
Tone: Friendly, neutral
Best Use: Everyday compliments, menus, blog posts
14. Sumptuous
Definition: Luxuriously rich and appetizing.
Meanings: Lavish, indulgent, highly attractive in appearance.
Example: “This steak looks absolutely sumptuous.”
Detailed Explanation: Sumptuous conveys richness and indulgence. It’s perfect for gourmet dishes or visually stunning meals, emphasizing both luxury and taste.
Tone: Formal, sophisticated
Best Use: Upscale dining reviews, professional blogs, food magazines
15. Savory
Definition: Pleasantly flavorful, often referring to non-sweet dishes.
Meanings: Tasty, well-seasoned, appetizing.
Example: “These roasted vegetables look incredibly savory.”
Detailed Explanation: Savory is ideal for describing meals with strong flavors or spices. It highlights the taste while being precise about the type of dish.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best Use: Recipes, culinary reviews, cooking shows
Also Read This : 30 Other Ways to Say “as Well As” (With Examples)
16. Pleasant
Definition: Appealing in a mild and agreeable way.
Meanings: Enjoyable, agreeable, appetizing in appearance.
Example: “The sandwich looks very pleasant and inviting.”
Detailed Explanation: Pleasant is subtle and gentle, often used in polite or formal contexts where enthusiasm should be measured.
Tone: Neutral, polite
Best Use: Professional settings, formal comments, everyday compliments
17. Rich
Definition: Full of flavor, satisfying and indulgent.
Meanings: Flavorful, intense, hearty.
Example: “The chocolate cake looks rich and decadent.”
Detailed Explanation: Rich emphasizes the intensity and depth of taste. It’s great for indulgent foods, desserts, or gourmet dishes that are flavorful and satisfying.
Tone: Descriptive, enthusiastic
Best Use: Recipes, food blogs, informal discussions
18. Appetizing-Looking
Definition: Visually appealing and likely to stimulate appetite.
Meanings: Tempting, visually attractive, inviting.
Example: “This pasta is really appetizing-looking.”
Detailed Explanation: This phrase focuses on visual appeal rather than flavor, making it versatile for professional or casual use.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best Use: Menus, food blogs, reviews
19. Enticing
Definition: Attractive and tempting, drawing attention.
Meanings: Inviting, alluring, appealing.
Example: “Those cupcakes are so enticing!”
Detailed Explanation: Enticing emphasizes allure and desire, suggesting that the food is irresistible. It works in both casual and marketing contexts.
Tone: Persuasive, warm
Best Use: Social media, marketing, food photography captions
20. Scrumptious-Looking
Definition: Appearing extremely tasty and satisfying.
Meanings: Delicious, visually appealing, tempting.
Example: “This seafood platter looks scrumptious-looking.”
Detailed Explanation: Slightly more casual than delectable, this phrase conveys playful enjoyment and is perfect for informal or fun contexts.
Tone: Casual, friendly
Best Use: Social media, family meals, friendly compliments
21. Pleasurable
Definition: Providing enjoyment and satisfaction.
Meanings: Enjoyable, delightful, appealing.
Example: “The dessert tray looks very pleasurable.”
Detailed Explanation: Pleasurable is subtle and elegant, emphasizing general enjoyment and sensory satisfaction rather than strong enthusiasm.
Tone: Formal, elegant
Best Use: Fine dining reviews, formal compliments
22. Mouth-Pleasing
Definition: Pleasing to taste, enjoyable to eat.
Meanings: Delicious, appealing, flavorful.
Example: “The curry looks very mouth-pleasing.”
Detailed Explanation: Focuses on taste anticipation, highlighting that the food will likely taste as good as it looks. Perfect for descriptive reviews.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best Use: Food blogs, casual reviews, recipes
23. Lip-Teasing
Definition: So tempting it makes you want to taste immediately.
Meanings: Inviting, enticing, delightful.
Example: “These pastries are lip-teasing!”
Detailed Explanation: Lip-teasing conveys playfulness and sensory engagement. It’s perfect for desserts or visually appealing snacks.
Tone: Playful, vivid
Best Use: Social media captions, blogs, casual compliments
24. Flavorsome
Definition: Full of flavor and very tasty.
Meanings: Tasty, rich, enjoyable.
Example: “The soup looks so flavorsome.”
Detailed Explanation: Flavorsome is commonly used in British English, emphasizing taste rather than appearance. It conveys a positive, descriptive impression.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best Use: Recipes, culinary reviews, formal and informal contexts
25. Yummy-Looking
Definition: Visually appealing and likely delicious.
Meanings: Appealing, tempting, appetizing.
Example: “These donuts look yummy-looking!”
Detailed Explanation: Yummy-looking is casual and friendly, perfect for informal compliments, especially on social media or with friends.
Tone: Casual, playful
Best Use: Social media, family, friends, casual blogs
26. Inviting
Definition: Appealing in a way that encourages tasting.
Meanings: Attractive, welcoming, tempting.
Example: “This salad looks so inviting.”
Detailed Explanation: Inviting emphasizes accessibility and appeal. It’s a versatile term for professional and casual use alike.
Tone: Neutral, warm
Best Use: Menus, food photography, professional reviews
27. Delicious-Looking
Definition: Appears tasty and appealing to eat.
Meanings: Visually appealing, appetizing, inviting.
Example: “The cake looks delicious-looking.”
Detailed Explanation: This phrase is straightforward and universally understood. It emphasizes visual appeal without overcomplicating language.
Tone: Neutral, descriptive
Best Use: Recipes, blogs, social media
28. Palatable
Definition: Pleasant to taste, agreeable.
Meanings: Appealing, tasty, enjoyable.
Example: “The soup looks very palatable.”
Detailed Explanation: Palatable is slightly formal, often used in professional or culinary writing. It focuses on the taste potential rather than extreme enthusiasm.
Tone: Formal, neutral
Best Use: Food critiques, professional blogs, formal settings
29. Tempting-Looking
Definition: Visually appealing and enticing.
Meanings: Attractive, alluring, appealing to desire.
Example: “These brownies are tempting-looking!”
Detailed Explanation: This emphasizes the visual allure of food, suitable for marketing, blogs, and social media.
Tone: Casual, playful
Best Use: Food photography, social media, casual reviews
30. Ambrosial
Definition: Fit for the gods, heavenly in taste.
Meanings: Extremely delicious, divine, exquisite.
Example: “The truffle chocolate looks ambrosial.”
Detailed Explanation: Ambrosial is elegant and poetic, perfect for gourmet desserts or luxurious dishes. It conveys an elevated, almost spiritual admiration for food.
Tone: Formal, romantic, sophisticated
Best Use: Gourmet blogs, high-end dining reviews, special occasions
FAQs :
Q1: What are some alternative ways to say “That looks delicious”?
You can use expressions like “That’s mouthwatering,” “Looks appetizing,” “Yum! That’s perfect,” or “This is visually appealing” to show appreciation in a fresh way.
Q2: How can I make my compliment more personal and thoughtful?
Focus on the person who prepared the meal. Say something like, “You’ve made this look amazing!” or “Your dish is perfectly presented,” adding warmth and sincerity.
Q3: Are there different phrases for casual vs professional settings?
Yes! In casual settings, phrases like “Yum, that looks great!” work well. For professional or restaurant settings, you can say, “This presentation is very appealing” or “It looks appetizing and well-prepared.”
Q4: Can I use these expressions online?
Absolutely! Whether sharing food photos on social media or commenting on a friend’s post, using phrases like “That looks delicious” alternatives can connect and convey genuine admiration.
Q5: How do I avoid being repetitive when complimenting food?
Try creative alternatives, mix short expressions with longer ones, and focus on aspects like appearance, taste, or effort. Variety keeps your compliments fresh and meaningful.
Conclusion :
Using Other Ways to Say “That Looks Delicious” (With Examples) helps you express genuine delight and appreciation without repeating the same phrase. By adding personal, warm, and thoughtful touches, every meal, dish, or shared experience can feel special and memorable.
Emma Brooke is the voice behind English Sharp Mind, dedicated to helping learners sharpen their English skills with clear explanations, practical tips, and confidence-building guidance.
