Essential French Restaurant Phrases for Ordering Food
French cuisine is renowned worldwide, and experiencing it firsthand is a must for any trip to France.
Whether you're dining at an upscale restaurant, a bustling brasserie, or a cozy bistro, knowing how to order food in French can greatly enrich your experience.
This guide will equip you with essential French restaurant phrases to navigate your dining adventure with confidence.
Getting Seated
When you arrive at a French restaurant, you'll typically be greeted by a host or hostess. Here are some phrases you might hear or use:
- "Bonjour monsieur / madame / messieurs-dames" (Good day sir / ma'am / folks)
- "Vous avez une réservation ?" (Do you have a reservation?)
- "À l'intérieur ou sur la terrasse ?" (Indoors or on the terrace?)
If you need a menu, you can ask:
- "Puis-j'avoir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?" (Can I have the menu, please?)
Understanding the Menu
In French restaurants, you'll encounter two types of menus:
- "La carte" - The standard menu listing individual dishes
- "Le menu" - A fixed-price meal with multiple courses
When ordering from "le menu," you're typically choosing a set combination of courses. Ordering "à la carte" means selecting individual items from the menu.
Navigating the Courses
L'apéritif
It's common to start with a pre-dinner drink. Your server might ask:
- "Quelque-chose à boire ?" (Something to drink?)
- "Une carafe d'eau ?" (A pitcher of water?)
- "La carte des vins ?" (The wine list?)
L'entrée
Unlike in English, "l'entrée" in French refers to the appetizer. To order one, say:
- "Je prends une entrée." (I'll have an appetizer.)
Le plat principal
This is the main course. You might hear it referred to simply as "un plat." If you want a smaller portion, you can say:
- "Je vais prendre une entrée comme plat principal." (I'll take an appetizer as my main course.)
Le dessert
After the main course, your server will likely ask about dessert:
- "Voulez-vous voir la carte des desserts ?" (Would you like to see the dessert menu?)
They might also list the day's dessert options:
- "Ce soir nous avons des profiteroles, un crème-brûlé, un Paris-Brest..." (Tonight we have profiteroles, a crème-brûlé, a Paris-Brest...)
Un café
Coffee is often offered at the end of the meal. By default, this is usually an espresso.
Un digestif
For a truly French experience, you might conclude your meal with a strong alcoholic drink known as a digestif.
Useful Phrases for Ordering
- "Je voudrais..." (I would like...)
- "Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez ?" (What do you recommend?)
- "C'est tout, merci." (That's all, thank you.)
- "L'addition, s'il vous plaît." (The bill, please.)
Tips for a Smooth Dining Experience
- Always greet the staff with "Bonjour" or "Bonsoir."
- Use "s'il vous plaît" (please) and "merci" (thank you) liberally.
- If you're unsure about pronunciation, pointing to items on the menu is perfectly acceptable.
Learning these key phrases will help you navigate French restaurants with ease.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Consider using language learning tools like leçon.ai to refine your pronunciation and expand your French vocabulary beyond the dining room.
By familiarizing yourself with these essential French restaurant phrases, you'll be well-prepared to enjoy the culinary delights France has to offer. Bon appétit!