How to Order Food in French [Examples]

France. the home of superb wine, more than 1,000 different types of cheese, and some of the most delicious pastries on the planet. Irrespective of whether or not you find the concept of eating snails appealing, French food is unquestionably renowned. Everything from the basic crunch of a baguette to the velvety texture of gratins, French food is considered to be among the greatest in the world by many people. The French are extremely proud of their contributions to the world’s culinary culture.

In this post, we’ll go over how to order food in French and go over some fundamental food-related terminology to get you started on your journey to discovering the delights of French cuisine.

Breakfast in France: Le petit-déjeuner

A country known for superb wine, more than 1,000 varieties of cheese, and some of the most delicious pastries on the planet. Irrespective of whether or not you find the concept of eating snails appealing, French cuisine is unquestionably legendary. Everything from the basic crunch of a baguette to the creamy gratins is regarded to be some of the greatest cuisine on the planet by many people. A great deal of pride is taken by the French in their contributions to international cuisine. To describe someone who enjoys good food and drink, the French use a word called “le bon vivant,” which means “the well-fed one.” When learning French, it is inevitable that you will become acquainted with the subject of cuisine at some time.

When it comes to breakfast, what do you want? (What do you want for breakfast?)

You can answer in the following way:

You can answer in the following manner:

It is important to note that pastries (such as tarte tatin or millefeuille) are distinct fromune viennoiserie (such as croissants or pain au chocolat), which are more bread-like and generally eaten for breakfast in France. These last three examples are merely a small sample of the wide variety of breads and pastries available from a French boulangerie (bakery), which would demand a whole essay on its own!

Lunch in France: Le déjeuner

French for lunch, le déjeuner is a multi-course meal that is traditionally served in multiple stages. When it comes to French people, lunch is normally their greatest meal of the day, and it is often had between 12:00 and 14:00. It generally consists of the following items:

Entrée (appetizer)
Plat major (main meal)
And Dessert There will be a cheese course and a dessert (or both).

Fun fact: the words “jeûner” and “déjeuner” imply to fast and to break the fast, respectively.

Dinner in France: Le dîner

Dinner is referred to as “le dîner” in French. Dining at home in France is often a light dinner consisting of an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert. A traditional French beginning at dinner time will be something basic like vegetables or a salad, which will be served alongside a meal of choice. Tip of the day: If you’re looking for a way to save money, consider donating to a good cause. The apéritif is served at the beginning of the dinner and often consists of tiny appetizers like as olives, almonds, and chips, as well as beverages.

The digestif, which is intended to promote digestion, is offered after the conclusion of a meal and is often a drink with a high proportion of alcohol.

Selecting a restaurant

Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty dinner or a light snack, France has what you’re looking for:

If you’re in the mood for a substantial supper, go over to Le Restaurant. If you’re in the mood for something a little more informal, stop by Le Bistro(t). La brasserie is a great place to have comfort cuisine, classic meals, and a beer. Le café – Enjoy coffee, tea, beverages, nibbles, and sweets at this establishment. La crêperie – Come here for galettes and crêpes, among other things. The bar is a good place to get a drink. If you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, head to Le Bar à Vin.

Arriving at the restaurant

When it comes to booking a reservation in French, all you have to do is phone the restaurant ahead of time or walk in and ask one of the questions below:

I’d like to make a reservation for a table for three people. (I’d want to book/reserve a table for three at the restaurant.) It is possible to reserve a table for a total of people, if that is what you would want. It is possible to have a table for_ persons, if that is what you prefer? Do you have a spare room for two, three, or four people? (Do you have room for two, three, or four more people?) The outside is more appealing to me. (I prefer to sit inside rather than outside.) Je préfère l’intérieur. (I’d want to be seated inside instead.)

Keep in mind to pepper the lines with “bonjour,” “thank you,” and “sil vous plaît” throughout the text. When it comes to learning practical French greetings and salutations, it is always courteous to learn as many as possible. We offer online teachers that are fluent in more than 50 different languages. Preply is a premier educational platform that offers 1-on-1 sessions with licensed teachers via an exclusive video chat feature. Preply is one of the most popular educational platforms in the world.

How to order in French

If you’re wondering how to politely buy food in French, the most straightforward method is to employ the phrase structure shown below: As an illustration:

I’d like a soup with a potiron, if that’s alright with you. (I’d like a bowl of pumpkin soup, if that’s okay.)

Listed below are a few more useful phrases for placing food orders in French:

I’d want to have the menu, if that’s okay with you. (Could I possibly have a copy of the menu? )
Do you have a menu in English that you can share with me? If you have a menu in English, please let me know. I’m going to take. (I’m going to go ahead and.)
To begin, I’ll say. (First and foremost.)
For my part. (At least in my case.)
We are prepared to place an order./ We’re ready to go when the time comes. (We have everything set to go.) Please accept my apologies (Monsieur/Madame)! (Please excuse me (Sir/Madame)! What would you recommend as a starting point? (What do you think is the best option? )
What’s the special of the day? (Can you tell me what the meal of the day is?) Please allow me a few bit of your time. (Please give me a moment.) What exactly is le/la/les. and how do they work? (Can you tell me what. exactly? )
Is it possible that it’s served with. (a salade)? (Does this come with a side of. (salad)?
Is it possible that there are some. (sea fruits) tucked away somewhere? Do you know whether this contains any. (seafood?)?

If you have any difficulties with your order, you may say something like this:

Please accept my apologies, but I did not order this. (Please excuse me, but I did not place this order.)
I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but it’s freezing outside. (I’m sorry, but it’s freezing outside.)
Is it possible for me to alter my order, if you don’t mind? (Can I make an adjustment to my order, please?

Eating as a modern traveller

I eat just plants. I am a vegetarian (ne). The phrase “I am a vegetarian” can be translated as “I am a vegan” (e). (I am a vegan.) I have an allergic reaction to_. (I have an allergy to .)

The majority of waiters are now familiar with these terminology, however if you’d want to explain anything more, you can say:

I don’t eat meat or fish since I’m allergic to them. (I don’t eat meat or fish since I’m vegetarian.) I do not consume any animal-derived products. It is my personal preference not to consume any animal products. I don’t eat any sweets, milk, or dairy products, and I don’t drink any coffee. (I don’t eat eggs, nor do I drink milk or consume milk products.)
Is it a case of the noix or a case of the arachides? My child suffers from allergies. (Do you happen to have some nuts or peanuts? My child suffers from allergies.)

Eco-friendly eating and shopping in French

Would you be willing to hand it on to me in this condition, without bag? It’s fine with me if you just give it to me like that, without a bag.) No thanks, I don’t require a bag. (I don’t require a bag, thank you very much.)
Would you be able to put that in my bag for me? I’d appreciate it if you could put this in my bag without charging me. I’d like to avoid using a straw. Please, no plastic tablecloths or covers, thank you very much. (Please don’t use the plastic cutlery in this instance.)
Do you mind filling up my water bottle for me, if that’s all right? (Would you mind refilling my water bottle for me? )
I’d like a glass of robinet’s iced water, if that’s okay with you. (I’d like a glass of tap water, if that’s all OK.)

Leaving the restaurant

If you don’t mind, I’d want to contribute something. (Please bring the bill.) Is it possible for me to make a payment using my bank card? (Can I make a payment using a credit card? It appears like there has been an error with the invoice. The amount of the addition appears to be excessive! (There appears to be a clerical error in the bill. It appears that the bill is excessive!)

If the waiter inquires as to how your meal was, you might respond as follows (if you thought it was good):

Yes, it was correct, thank you. (Yes, it was really nice.) Thank you for making something so delicious. (Yes, it was quite amazing.)

There are a variety of methods for improving your French, but most people think that speaking it is the most effective. If you aren’t going to be able to visit a French restaurant anytime soon, you may do the next best thing and imagine you are in one, ordering all of the delights that are only available in France, by working with a French teacher.

How to order take away in French

It is possible to practice French in a variety of methods, but the majority of people feel that speaking it is the most effective. If you are not planning on visiting a French restaurant anytime soon, you can do the next best thing and imagine you are in one, ordering all of the delights that the country has to offer by practicing with a French tutor.

Is it feasible to pick up some food to take home with you? (Is it feasible to place an order for takeout?

In France, takeaway used to be rather uncommon at more premium restaurants, but this has changed around recent years, particularly in the year 2020. If ordering meals from a takeaway website or app is your thing, there’s no shortage of options available to you. Larger websites, such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats, provide a larger number of restaurants from which to pick. All you’ll have to do is choose what you want to eat, input your address and payment information, and you’ll be done.

Confident about ordering food in French now?

According to research on intercultural communication, in order for language learners to communicate effectively with persons from other cultures, they must get a thorough understanding of the behaviors and worldviews of those with whom they are communicating. Furthermore, many language experts believe that by focusing your language learning efforts on particular applications of the language rather than broad fluency, you will be able to achieve your language learning objectives more quickly and efficiently.

Knowing how to order food in French is essential, given that you will most likely find yourself in a restaurant atmosphere on a regular basis when traveling.

Make an effort to practice these in a discussion setting and to keep your food-related vocabulary growing. Here is a list of French instructors who would be delighted to work with you on your language skills.

How to Order Food in French: The Hungry Learner’s Guide

According to research on intercultural communication, language learners must get a thorough understanding of a variety of cultural practices and worldviews in order to speak effectively with people from other cultures. Furthermore, many language experts believe that by focusing your language study on specific applications rather than broad fluency, you will be able to achieve your language learning objectives more quickly. Understanding language in its natural environment is critical. Because you will most likely find yourself in a restaurant atmosphere on a regular basis, knowing how to order meals in French is essential for success.

See also: What Low Carb Food And Dessert And Snack To Eat

In order to keep your food-related vocabulary growing, try practicing them in a conversation.

Selecting the restaurant

The world of French cuisine is huge, and there are many different sorts of restaurants to choose from all across the French-speaking globe to eat at. Whatever sort of cuisine and experience you are looking for, the French will be able to accommodate you. From the upscale to the down-home, the French will have something to suit your needs. The likelihood that you may encounter anauberge or anauberge de campagne increases if you are traveling through rural France. Theauberge, which is similar to an inn in that it is often tiny in size and attached to a local hotel or bed and breakfast, serves rustic, rural meals at a low rate and is typically located near a tourist attraction.

Traditionally, when you think of dining in France, you would think of a traditionalbrasserie, with tables spilling out into bustling city streets.

Thebrasseriealways has something ready to offer, whether it’s coffee and wine or three-course meals.

While many restaurants specialize in one type of cuisine (although this is not always the case), most restaurants offer distinct lunch and supper services, closing in between so that personnel may clean and prepare for the next rush of customers.

This news clip will provide you with an insight into the culture of French restaurant culture, as well as how tipping works (and could alter) in that country. Even better, because the film is available onFluentU, you won’t have to worry about missing a single word while watching it.

Making a reservation in French

Following your selection of an evening dining establishment, you may be required to make a reservation. Restaurants in major cities are more likely to be crowded on weekends, especially if the city is particularly busy. Booking in advance can spare you from having to wait for a long time or from being disappointed. When you call the restaurant, just say, “Hello, I’d like to make a reservation, if that’s okay with you” (Hello, I would like to book a table, please). The person who is taking the booking will most likely react with “Pour combien?” (For how many), to which you can respond with the number of individuals who will be in your reservation.

Following that, you will be asked, “Pour quand?” (For when?) and you will be able to respond with the date and time of your reservation.

Once you have completed this process, you will be asked for your name(Aquel nom?) and will be required to answer with your surname.

Finding your table

You should approach the maître d’ and inform them that you have a table waiting for you when you arrive at the restaurant and have made a reservation: I have reserved a table in the name of. (I have reserved a table in the name of.) Alternatively, they may inquire as to whether or not you have a reservation. ‘Do you have a reservation?’ is a question to which you can respond with “Oui, au nom de.” (Yes, in the name of., of course.) If you don’t make a reservation in advance, it is extremely feasible to eat out in France and get a table on the spot if you don’t plan ahead of time.

They are just informing the maître d’ that there will be no additional additions to the table and that only the two persons there will be dining.

It’s simply that we’re going to drink something.

(We’ll have something to eat.)

Ordering takeout

If you don’t want to go out to eat, the world of French takeaway is wide, and there are hundreds of options to select from if you don’t want to cook. In order to find businesses that provide takeaway, check for signs that say “avente pour emporter” (purchase for takeout) on the door. Alternatively, you may pick up a menu from the restaurant and call them from your house; they will take your order and delivery location, and you will be required to pay when the food is delivered to your home or office.

Many eating establishments in your city are connected through larger websites like Allo Resto, which enables you to browse through a variety of various menus based on your tastes.

Following that, you will be able to choose when you would like your meal delivered.

After that, all you have to do is choose what you want to eat, provide your shipping and billing information, and your order will be delivered within an hour!

Navigating a French Menu

Restaurants in France operate in a similar manner to restaurants in other parts of the world. Your table is usually assigned by the maître d’, who will then tell a waiter or waitress to bring you your food and drinks. In terms of communicating with your French waiter or waitress, you shouldn’t be concerned about a single thing. To enjoy excellent service in France, all you need to do is maintain a courteous tone of voice and constantly express gratitude to your waitress. “Excusez-moi?” is a good way to get the attention of your waiter.

), and don’t forget to say “S’il vous plaît” (please) after you’ve placed your order once you’ve finished.

Originally translated as “from the menu,” à la carte options can consist of any sort of meal combination of your choosing
You can choose any starter, main dish, and dessert you want
And you can choose whatever wine you want.

Pre-determined meal choices are included in the prix fixe, which is a set menu with a variety of options at a fixed price. Although there are fewer selections on this type of menu, they are typically less expensive, and it may be a terrific opportunity to enjoy an authentic assortment of French delicacies
Nonetheless,

In a restaurant, the words du jour(of the day) after a choice on the menu denote that the sort of cuisine served there varies on a daily basis. Consequently, it is a good idea to ask your waiter what is being offered on that particular day. The soup of the day is frequently a popular choice, and there are usually a variety of taste selections to choose between.

Quenching Your Thirst

Drinking anything before placing your lunch order is a good idea in some situations. Once you’ve finished reading les boissons(drinks), you’ll find the following phrase useful: To get things started, I’d like to consume some alcohol. (Before anything else, I’d want to have something to drink.) Listed below are some of the terms you can encounter in the “drinks” section of the menu: The wines served at French restaurants are typically from the region in which they are located or from other parts of France, making dining out an excellent chance to enjoy the best that the country has to offer in terms of a drink.

When ordering water to accompany your meal, there are a few alternatives to be aware of before proceeding.
It’s really uncommon for a restaurant not to supply tap water, so it’s always worth asking for some if you want to wash down your wine with something refreshing.
Your waiter will usually ask you which one you want if you don’t mention which one you’d like.
If you want an espresso from acaféin France, you will receive an espresso; if you want anything with a little milk or something additional, you must indicate this while ordering.

Even though it is commonly referred to as “café au lait,” it really refers to a bowl of milky coffee that French people like at morning, ordering it will bring you a cup of coffee with milk.

Understanding the menu options

After all, you’ve been given a menu, and your waiter has just taken your beverage orders. It’s time to begin reading and decide what you’ll eat for the next several days. If you’re having trouble deciding between French cuisine, you may always ask your waiter for a recommendation: “What do you recommend?” “What do you recommend?” (Can you tell me what you recommend?) Here are some examples of meals that you could find on the menu: A typical French meal will include a dish for each sort of meat available, as well as one or two fish plates, similar to the majority of other countries.

It is often necessary to conduct more research in order to understand how certain foods are prepared.
Meats and poultry that have been smoked, on the other hand, can provide a whole distinct flavor to a main meal.
This just indicates that the meat has been minced or ground, and that it will have a somewhat different texture (and, in certain cases, a lower price) than regular beef steaks, among other things.
This dish, which is served as a stew, is an excellent opportunity to experience local specialities because many towns have various stew recipes based on the location they are in.
Lonely Planetat large has a wealth of phrasebooks and regional travel guides that can assist you in understanding what to expect while ordering meals and dining in foreign countries.

Food allergies and dietary restrictions

Listed below are some terms you may use to communicate with your waiter if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions: However, while French cuisine is some of the most well-known in the world, it may be more difficult to locate vegetarian or vegan alternatives in some establishments there. It’s possible that if you don’t find any meals on the main menu that don’t include any meat, you’ll be able to have some of the starters customized to match your demands. You will find that many establishments will either enable you to pick a number of smaller dishes to be brought out with your party’s main meals, or they will give you an appetizer in a larger size and charge you a slightly higher price so that you may use it as a major dish.

Ordering your meal in French

Assuming you’ve successfully placed your drink order and made your selection from the menu, it’s time to place your meal order. Some sentences that will be useful for the duration of your dinner are as follows:

One more minute, if you don’t mind
One more minute, please

One more minute, if you don’t mind
One more minute, please.

What exactly is the speciality of the day? —Can you tell me what’s exceptional today?

Your server will ask you “Quelle cuisson?” if you want a steak, for example. (Can you tell me how you prefer your meat cooked?) However, it’s important to note that while you may order your steak rare, medium or well done with rosé, à point and bien cuit, a lot of French chefs will serve it a bit less well done than you would be accustomed to elsewhere. As a result, a medium steak in France can be closer to a rare steak for you, whilst ordering “well done” would be closer to medium for you.

If you like your steak very rare, you may request it bleu;fried in a pan for the shortest amount of time possible. Steak prepared in this manner is extremely bloody and popular among the locals.

Finishing your meal

When it comes to paying for a dinner in a French restaurant, the procedure is a little different than it is in other countries. Doggy bags are quite unusual at a French restaurant, which means that if you don’t complete your dinner, you will most likely not be able to take it with you when you return to your hotel. While certain establishments may be willing to accommodate your requests, many French diners think that if you don’t complete everything on your plate, you didn’t want to eat it.

Most restaurants in France will include the service fee in the final bill, which means that you will just have to pay the whole amount of the bill.
This is not required, however it might be done if you were really pleased with your waiter and his or her service.
Eat out in France with confidence with this guide—it could well turn out to be one of the finest things you do while traveling in Europe.
Download: It is possible to download this blog article as a compact and portable PDF file that can be carried about with you wherever you go.
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How to Order Food in French Restaurants

The French like sharing a meal and, even at a restaurant, they will begin with an anaperitif before beginning the meal. Following that, customers will have to choose from a variety of menus or à la carte meals, specifying the cooking method for the meat and how they would want their veggies prepared, eat, enjoy, and then ultimately pay. That’s a lot of motion, and it necessitates some familiarity with the lingo.

See also: How Do You Spell Dessert As In A Sweet After Dinner Food

French vocabulary for eating in a restaurant

It’s the first question the waiter (le serveur/la serveuse) will ask you when he comes at your table, whether you’re having lunch or dinner: «Are you having an aperitif?» – “Are you planning on having an aperitif?” This gives you with the option to respectfully decline («non merci» – “no thank you”) or accept («oui, s’il vous plaît » – “yes, please”) and then make your selection from the aperitif menu that has been provided.

France’s love of kir (white or sparkling wine mixed with an alcoholic syrup), ricard (aniseed-flavored alcohol), and simply chilled rosé in the summer is well-documented.

The a la carte / menu in French

It’s the first question the waiter (le serveur/la serveuse) will ask you when he comes at your table, whether you’re having lunch or dinner: «Are you having an aperitif?». Is there going to be an aperitif?” says the waiter. After that, you have the option to respectfully decline («non merci» – “no thank you”) or accept («oui, s’il vous plait » – “yes, please”) and then select an aperitif from the available options.

France’s love of kir (white or sparkling wine mixed with an alcoholic syrup), ricard (aniseed-flavored alcohol), and simply chilled rosé in the summer is well-known around the world. Best French phrases for food may be found here.

The cooking of meat in French– how to ask for what you want

This is THEQUESTION for which you should prepare in advance! In French, there are five levels of cooking intensity to choose from: 1)blue (very rare): bright red in the centre and tepid on the outside. 2)saignant(rare): a crimson spot in the centre of the face. 3)à point (moderately rare): pink at the centre of the point 4.cuit (cooked): the middle is somewhat reddish in color. 5)bien cuit (well done): a brown color in the center of the cake. This is something the server will inquire about, especially if you order meat.

L.E.J., “La Dalle,” composed by a group of three young French individuals, is a song about food and a love connection that you could like listening to if you’re interested.

Order food: dialogue in French

The waiter, who is quietly studying you, has seen that you have selected or are almost finished with your aperitif, and as a result, he approaches you and says:

	French dialogue	English dialogue
Waiter(W)	Vous avez choisi?	Have you chosen?
Customer(C)	Je voudraisun menu à 20€, s’il vous plaît.	I would like a menu at 20€, please.
(W)	Très bien. Quelle entrée voulez-vous?	Very good. Which starter would you like?
(C)	C’est quoi, la salade niçoise?	What’s the salade niçoise?
(W)	C’est une spécialité de la région, elle est à base d’œufs, de tomates et d’anchois.	It’s a speciality of the region, it’s made with eggs, tomatoes and anchovies.
(C)	D’accord, alors une salade niçoise.	All right, then a salade niçoise.
(W)	Et comme plat?	And as a dish?
(C)	Une bavette avec des frites.	A bavette with chips.
(W)	La cuisson de la viande?	How do you like the cooking of the meat?
(C)	À point. Et en dessert,je vais prendrela crème brûlée.	Medium rare. And for dessert, I’ll have the crème brûlée.
(W)	Et comme boisson?	And as a drink?
(C)	Une bouteille de Rosé d’Anjou, s’il vous plaît.	A bottle of Rosé d’Anjou, please.
(W)	Très bien, je vous apporte ça.	All right, I’ll bring you that.

Please keep in mind that you do not have to bring the entire bottle of wine (although you certainly may if you want to!). Some restaurants sell half-bottles, quarter-bottles, or even quarter-liters of wine. Carafes of wine are also available, however the quality of this wine is often poorer. Water in the carafe, as well as bread, is always available for free! What you should do to prepare for your official French examination

In summary, to order you can use the following expressions:

-Je voudrais. / J’aimerais. – I would want. / I would like. I’m going to take.– I’m going to take–Oui, j’ai choisi– Yes, I’ve chosen–Non, je n’ai pas encore choisi– No, I haven’t made a decision yet–One more minute, please– One more minute, please– What is it that le/la. – in order to obtain more information on a plate

L’addition(the bill) in French

The phrase –Je voudrais. / J’aimerais. translates as ‘I want.’. If you want to take.– If you want to take–Oui, j’ai choisi– Yes, I have chosen–Non, je n’ai pas encore choisi– No, I haven’t yet chosen– Encore une minute, si vous voulez– Please give me another minute. What exactly is le/la. – when requesting further information about a dish

Do you have to tip in French restaurants?

Nothing in the law requires you to do so, and the service is always included in the charge. After that, if you were pleased with the service and the food, you can leave a few euros, which is around 5-10 percent of the entire cost, on the table. So, do you think you’re more prepared to order meals at a French restaurant now? If this blog post has whetted your appetite, why not try practicing your French at home while you have your mouth full of food? Keep the conversation going about food throughout the dinner; it’s something that the French like doing!

How to Order Food like a Local in France

It is essential to learn how to order meals in French, especially if you plan on traveling or residing in France in the future. Don’t be concerned; we’re here to help you understand difficult menus, French customs, and important words so you can order meals like a native. It’s time to brush up on your French ordering skills!

Usual Food Vocabulary/Phrases

It is essential to learn how to order meals in French, especially if you intend to go to or live in France in the future.

Don’t be concerned; we’re here to help you understand difficult menus, French customs, and important words so you can order meals like a native! It’s time to brush up on your French ordering skills.

Est-ce que c’est possible d’avoir une table pour _ personnes s’il vous plaît?	Can I have a table for _ please?
Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux personnes:	I’d like to reserve a table for two
Excusez-moi Monsieur/Madame:	Excuse me Sir/Madam
Avez-vous une suggestion/une spécialité?	Do you have a suggestion/a specialty?
Est-ce qu’il y a un plat du jour?	Is there a daily special?
On est prêt(e) à commander)	We are ready to order (add the ‘e’ for feminine)
Je n’ai pas encore choisi	I haven’t chosen yet
Une minute encore, s’il vous plaît:	One more minute, please
Pour moi/lui/elle	For me/him/her
Je voudrais/ J’aimerais/ Je prends	I would like/I would love/I will take
C’est Terminé	We’ve finished
C’était délicieux/très bon:	It was delicious/very good
L’addition s’il vous plaît	The bill, please
Un pourboire	tip

French Cafés

The word “caféin France” should be used with caution, as these establishments are not just for the consumption of coffee, tea, and cake. Many informal eateries double as cafés throughout mealtimes, making them the ideal destination whether you’re looking for a quick cappuccino or a delicious croque Monsieur. Instead of waiting to be seated, you should grab a table that appeals to you right away before someone else does! The seating is typically crowded—especially on the Parisian Terraces—with classic ‘bench-like’ setups of tables in rows, which makes for a claustrophobic experience.

The French have a distinct way of doing things, and eating out is no exception!
Because of the constant turnover of customers, service personnel does not place a great deal of emphasis on building relationships with them.
The French service is far less formal than service in other parts of the world.
In addition, don’t be shocked if you see them talking on their phones while standing behind the counter in plain sight-they won’t be hiding anything!

Useful Café Vocabulary/Phrases:

C’est pour boire un verre/manger	We just want to have a drink/eat
Un café allongé	Black Coffee
Un café au lait	Milky coffee / latte
Un expresso	Espresso
Un thé	Tea
Du sucre	Sugar
La carte	Menu
Du vin	Wine
Du pain	Bread
Du fromage	Cheese
Du jambon	Ham
De la soupe	Soup
Une carafe d’eau	Tap water

French Restaurants

While cafés are open from dawn to night, restaurants are open exclusively for the purpose of serving meals. If you want something more formal in return for your money, you can expect to spend a bit extra. The use of a reservation is frequently encouraged, and you should always wait until your table is ready. A higher level of attention should be provided, and waiters should be more willing to assist you with translations and any other issues you may have. Unlike café meals, which are typically rather modest, here you may savor the gastronomic wonders of France across three courses, rather than just one or two.

In addition, a cheese course is frequently included.

Lunch Set Menus are also frequently available, and they are well worth taking a look at.

Don’t be afraid to ask for tap water; it’s the norm in France, and it’s quite unusual to be asked to pay for bottled water there.

Absolutely no exceptions may be made to the 10 percent rule. In the event that you truly appreciate the excellent service and wish to express your appreciation, a few euros will more than suffice to put a smile on your server’s face. ViaFlickr

Useful Restaurant Vocabulary/Phrases:

La carte des vins	The Wine List
À La carte	Individual dishes that are usually more expensive than the Set Menu
prix fixe	Set Menu
Un apéritif	Pre-dinner drink/cocktail
Une coupe de Champagne	A glass of champagne
Des glaçons	Ice
L’entrée	The Starter
Le plat principal	The Main Course
Le dessert	The Dessert
Le fromage	The Cheese Course
Le digestif	The Digestive Drink/After-Dinner Drink
le plat du jour	(Dish) Of the Day
un morceau	A piece
une tranche	A slice (of bread, meat, cake)
une rondelle	A slice (fruit, veggie)
un verre de vin	A glass of wine
une carafe d’eau	Jug of water / tap water
saignant/à point/bien cuit	Rare/medium-rare/well done

French Take-Out Food

Take-out is growing increasingly popular in France, as is eating out. Remember that despite the rapid-fire talks and strange vocabulary, many terms are essentially the same in English, and if you find yourself in a jam, there’s always pointing to help you out. Take-out food is typically less expensive than eating in, and there are some amazing offers to be had during the working week as well. Boulangeries and Mexican street food vendors alike have joined on board to ensure that no matter what you’re craving, there will be no reason to stop exploring when you can just grab it and go.

Useful Take-out Vocabulary/Phrases:

À emporter	To take-away
sur place	Eat in
piquant / épicé	Spicy
Emballé	Wrapped up
Les couverts	Cutlery
Un sac	A bag
dix minutes d’attente	(ten) minutes wait

ViaPexels Keep in mind, everyone: practice makes perfect. Now, has there ever been a greater reason to indulge in excessive amounts of French cuisine than that?!

Do you have more tips to add to this? Make sure to leave a comment below.

Obtain a copy of our French Phrasebook and begin learning the terms you will need to navigate through any situation in French. In addition, you’ll receive a Menu Reader to assist you in ordering any French cuisine you like!

How To Order Food In France

Learn the phrases you need to manage any situation in French by purchasing a copy of our French Phrasebook. In addition, you’ll receive a Menu Reader to assist you in ordering any French cuisine you like.

Restaurant Vocabulary

The wine menu is referred to as la Carte (des vins) (of wines) The term “A la Carte” refers to a sort of dining style in which the diner chooses individual meals from a menu (like the U.S) Fixed-Price Arrangement: During this eating style, the diner makes selections from a menu that has already been created; it generally includes many courses and is less expensive than the “A la Carte” option. As an aperitif, I’d recommend: Pre-dinner drink, cocktail, or libation l’Entrée: the first course The main meal is referred to as Le Plat Principal.

See also: Where To Buy Miniature Food And Dessert

The cheese course is referred to as Le Fromage.

Le Soup du Jour (or any meal that is preceded by this word denotes that it is a daily special, for example: Le Soup du Jour)

Ordering Food Vocabulary

Does it seem like it would be feasible to have a table that seats two people? Is it possible to have a table for two? You may substitute whatever number you want for the word “deux.” Do you have a proposal or a specialty that you’d like to share? Do you have a recommendation or a specialization? Is it possible that there is a dish of the day? Is there a daily special to look forward to? In Hebrew, this is pronounced (S-keel-E-Ah uhn plah do jewR). Ordering a product (I am prepared to order a product): If you’re a woman, you’ll need the extra “e” in order to place an order (I am ready to place an order).

Je voudrais/ J’aimerais/ Je prends:I would like., I would love., I will take.
(all are appropriate) A Morceau is a piece of art.
This particular plaque (which needs your pointing): This particular dish.
It has come to an end: We’ve completed our meals.

I’m a. Diabetique: Diabetic Végétarien(ne):Vegetarian Végétalien(ne):Vegan a person who is allergic to something (for example: Je suis allégique aux noix= I am allergic to nuts)

Food PreparationCreation

The Vapeur and L’Etoufflée have partnered together. A Stew:Baked En Daube:Baked Au Four:In a Stew The following terms are used: Bouilli, Boiled Fondu, Melted Fumé:Smoked Haché: a muddled mixture (ground) Grillé:Grilled Frit:Fried Placement of orders in cafés “How do I go about eating supper in France now that I’ve learned some of the vocabulary?” you might wonder. All of this, of course, is dependent on where you want to go! For example, if you wish to dine at a little corner café or a brasserie, you should normally seat yourself and a waiter should come over to assist you.

Cafés normally provide an à la carte type of dining, while daily specials and fixed-price meals are available on occasion.
Sometimes you’ll have to ask for the bill, and other times it may just be served with your meal as an option.
Please bear in mind that tipping with a euro is a mark of “exceptionally wonderful service.” I’ll go into further depth about the suggestions below.
If you want to reserve a table, I recommend phoning a day ahead (or the same morning) before your visit.
Most restaurants treat lunch as a more relaxed occasion and welcome walk-ins, but keep in mind that there are always exceptions!
When a woman (or group of women) is permitted to be seated, it is traditional for the lady (or group of women) to have a better view of the restaurant.
What do you do once you’ve grabbed a seat and before you place your order?

You start with the entrée, then choose a major dish (plat principal), then select a dessert and an after-dinner digestif (sometimes you can pick and choose, sometimes everything is predetermined).

Substituting something on the menu for something else on the menu (substitution) is often considered impolite when placing an order since the meal on the menu is precisely as the restaurant wants to deliver it to you.

However, the French may interpret “allergies” as a sign that you don’t enjoy the meal — an underlying insult.

The French, in contrast to the United States (where the waiter approaches you and rushes you out), do not want you to feel rushed out of the restaurant.

It was a wonderful pleasure to just sit outside and relax with a glass of wine and a huge French stew.

This might be because they are overcrowded, there are more bookings, the restaurant is going to close, or the restaurant staff is not the nicest.

Is gratuity included in the price in France?

If you want to show your appreciation for your waitress, leaving a euro or two on the table is a nice gesture, but it is not obligatory.

So, I hope this essay has given you a bit more confidence in your ability to order meals in France.

You should now have a better understanding of what to expect or encounter when dining in a French restaurant. Do you want to tell us about your eating experiences? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments area below.

Speak Spanish from day one

Are you planning a trip to France soon? Another possibility is that you are attempting to impress your date by taking them to a French restaurant. Whatever your purpose for learning how to order food in French, you’ll learn everything you need to know about ordering food in French. We’ll start with a brief overview of the history of French cuisine before diving into the recipe. Originally, French food was highly inspired by Italian cuisine, which is still the case today. It wasn’t until the 17th century that a few notable chefs from France made the decision to separate their cuisine from other influences and establish their own.

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Most popular cuisines from France

The many sorts of cuisine will vary depending on what location it comes from, including the wine produced in that region, such as Bordeaux. Here are a handful of the most popular forms of French cuisine to get you started: Desserts and pastries are examples of this. 2. The main course

Steak frites (steak and fries)
Steak au poivre Baguette (which is not a complete meal, but serves as an accompaniment)
A pot on the stovetop

As previously said, regional cuisine is used by the French to determine the sort and quality of food and wine that they will be eating and drinking. You’ll also need to become familiar with these locations if you want to be able to navigate your way around a French menu more effectively.

Burgundy is a region in France that is well-known for its wine and nut oils. Toulouse is the birthplace of the best sausage in the world. As you would have suspected, champagne
Bordeaux: wine
And so on.

After going through some of the most popular wines, dinners, and desserts in France, let’s talk about how to navigate your way around a French restaurant. ‍

Basic phrases and questions to know

To be able to place meal orders at a French restaurant, you’ll need to be familiar with some basic restaurant terminology.

Excusez-moi Please accept my apologies, Monsieur/Madame – sir/madam
La carte – a la carte menu
L’entrée – the first course
Toilettes (sometimes known as WCs) are restrooms or bathrooms. Where are the restrooms, if you don’t mind me asking? – Could you direct me to the restroom, please? The following are the hours of operation and closure: Time of day for opening and closing
Prix is a slang term for price. Dessert is just that: dessert. The account – the bill/cheque
A carafe of water is provided.

Before you order

The moment has come for you to make your grand debut, now that we have compiled a list of the most crucial restaurant terms. Pre-booking is usually required when visiting a popular French restaurant, so plan ahead of time if you want to avoid disappointment. This will almost always be done over the phone, where you can say something like:

I’d like to reserve a table for one/two/three persons -Could you please assist me with making a table reservation for one/two/three person/people
And

Once you’ve arrived at the restaurant, you’ll need to inform the waiter of your reservation as follows:

It is my intention to reserve a table in the name of
I have already reserved a table in the name of

But what if you’re only looking for a quick drink? You may wish to inform your usher of this so that they can assist you in finding a suitable seat at the restaurant:

The only thing we’d want to do is drink something
We’d simply like to relax.

To just drink something, we’d want to partake in a beverage of our choice.

Understanding the French menu

In most restaurants that provide excellent service, by the time your waiter or waitress has taken you to your table, a menu should have have been handed to you. If for some reason they haven’t, you may say “Excusez-moi?” to get their attention and get them to pay attention. There are two options: either you browse the menu on your own or you trust the suggestions of your server/waitress.

Do you have a recommendation or a specialization? – Do you have a recommendation or a specialty?

Alternatively, you might request a menu in English, which would be much more convenient. Despite the fact that we do not encourage this alternative, it is always great to have as a backup:

Do you have a menu in English that you can share with me? — Do you have a menu in English available to us?”

In any case, you’ll need to be familiar with the following French terminology in order to determine which section of the menu you’re looking at:

An apéritif is a drink consumed prior to a meal, while an entree is a starter. The main dish, or the main course
Vins rouges are red wines, whereas Vins blancs are white wines. Mineral water is referred to as Eau Minérale (mineral water). Biere, café, espresso, and pétillante (sparkling mineral water) are all French words that mean beer, espresso, and sparkling mineral water, respectively. Digestifs: a drink to consume after meal

If you’re intending to consume red meat, such as steak, you should be familiar with the following terms: For those of you who are seeking for something special, such as vegetarian cuisine or children’s menus, here are some suggestions:

The terms “Plats d’enfant” (children’s dishes) and “Plats végétariens” (vegetarian dishes) are interchangeable.

How to order at a French restaurant

The terms “Plats d’enfant” and “Plats végétariens” refer to dishes intended for children.

The terms “Plats d’enfant” (children’s dishes) and “Plats végétariens” (vegetarian dishes) are used interchangeably.

Unlikely to be present at your table at this time, your waiter or waitress is likely to be absent from his or her post. You’ll have to get their attention once more by saying: Excuse me, but.? Afterwards, you can inform them that you are ready to proceed.

We are prepared to place an order
We are ready to place an order.

If this is the case, they will question you: ‘Que souhaitez-vous?’ Alternatively, ‘What would you want to order?’

They’ll then ask you: ‘What do you want?’ if such is the case. Alternatively, ‘What would you want to order?’ is asked.

If this is the case, they will question you: ‘What do you want?’ or ‘What would you want to order?’

This is something I did not order. I’ve been granted permission. – This was not anything I requested. I’d done it

While it may not fall under the heading of ordering, you may wish for waiters to remove your empty dishes from the table in order to free up more table space. When you want someone to come to your table and you wave them over, you might say:

Closing your bill

Despite the fact that this does not fall under the area of ordering, you may wish for waiters to remove your empty plates to make room for other guests. When you want someone to come to your table and you wave them over, you can say something like: Tipping is expected at the very least at most French restaurants, thus it’s crucial to be liberal when leaving a tip. When you are traveling with a group of six or more people, you may be eligible to have a gratuity added in your check, which might be anywhere from 15-20 percent.

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Ordering take out in French

What happens if you are unable to complete your meal? Alternatively, you could wish to pack some food to give to a friend or family member, or to save for yourself to consume later. You can just inquire as follows:

Was there any possibility that you might not be able to finish your meal? Alternatively, you may like to pack food to be sent to a friend, family member, or yourself for later consumption. If you want to ask a simple question, you can.

What if you weren’t able to complete your meal? Alternatively, you may like to pack food to be delivered to a friend, family member, or for yourself to consume later. You might just inquire: