A tasty guide to reading restaurant menus and ordering food in French

To all foodies out there: this article is for you! Let’s admit it, one of the most enjoyable aspects of learning a language and experiencing a different culture is through food.

And if you’re learning French, you’re in for a treat. Literally! From world-famous French gastronomy to Swiss chocolate, without forgetting the Québécoise poutine, there are plenty of yummy ways to practice your French all over the world.

So, keep reading if you:

• Want to know how to order food in French.

• Are interested in finding out how to order tacos in French — and learn about this questionable ‘culinary’ creation.

• Would like to acquire useful French phrases for restaurants.

• Want to learn about the different types of restaurants in France.

• Would like to download a typical French menu. Spoiler alert: it will make you salivate.

French phrases for restaurant dining

First things first, let’s have a look at the most common types of restaurants in France:

• Restaurant: For repas at a regular mealtime.

• Bistrot: Small, casual restaurant offering good food for cheaper than a traditional restaurant.

• Brasserie: Brewery with hearty food.

• Café: Evening spot for quick bites or a full meal.

• Snack bar: A bar typically doesn’t serve food, but a snack bar does — for example, a croque-monsieur with a salad.

• Bar à vin: Wine comes with cheese, charcuterie, and other small bites. Très français.

• Crêperie: Well, as the name suggests… the place to go to eat crêpes and galettes.

Ready to order? Then the vocabulary below will come in handy!

Restaurant vocabulary in French

English	French	IPA
Meal	Repas	ɾəpa
Dish	Plat	pla
Breakfast	Petit-déjeuner	pəti-deʒœne
Lunch	Déjeuner	deʒœne
Dinner	Dîner	dine
Starter	Entrée	ɑ̃tɾeə
Entrée	Entrée	ɑ̃tɾeə
Main	Plat principal	pla pɾɛ̃sipal
Table	Table	tablə
Menu	Menu	məny
Knife	Couteau	kuto
Fork	Fourchette	fuɾʃɛtə
Spoon	Cuillère	kyjɛɾə
Bread	Pain	pɛ̃
Napkin	Serviette	sɛɾvjɛtə
Salt	Sel	sɛl
Pepper	Poivre	pwavɾə
Waiter	Serveur	sɛɾvœɾ
Waitress	Serveuse	sɛɾvøzə
Host/ess	Hôte/ hôtesse	otɛ/ otɛsə
Chef	Chef cuisinier	ʃɛf kɥizinje
Water	Eau	o
Wine	Vin	vɛ̃
Food	Nourriture	nurityɾə
Drinks	Boissons	bwasõ
Glass	Verre	vɛrə
Plate	Assiette	asjɛtə
Cup	Tasse	tasə
Bowl	Bol	bɔl
Bottle	Bouteille	butɛjə
Today’s special	Plat du jour	pla dy ʒuɾ

Dietary restrictions in French

English	French	IPA
Vegetarian	Végétarien	veʒetaɾjɛ̃
Gluten free	Sans gluten	sɑ̃ glytɛ̃
Dairy free	Sans produits laitiers	sɑ̃ pɾɔdɥi l(e)tje
Vegan	Végétalien/vegan	veʒetaljɛn/vəgɑ̃
Pescatarian	Pescatarien	pɛskataɾjɛ̃
Allergic	Allergique	alɛɾʒikə
Intolerance	Intolérance	ɛ̃tɔleɾɑ̃sə
Celiac	Cœliaque	kœljakə

How to ask for a table in French

If you’re getting hungry, it might be time to ask for a table or make a reservation. It could also be helpful to learn numbers in French!

English	French	IPA
I would like to make a reservation for three people, please.	Je voudrais faire une réservation pour trois personnes, s'il vous plaît.	ʒə vudɾe fɛɾ ynə ɾezɛɾvasjõ puɾtɾwɑ pɛɾsɔnə, sil vu ple.
Hello! A table for two people please!	Bonjour ! Une table pour deux personnes, s'il vous plaît !	bõʒuɾ ! ynə tablə puɾ dø pɛɾsɔnə, sil vu ple !
Hello, we are three people.	Bonjour, nous sommes trois/c’est pour trois	bõʒuɾ, nu sɔmə tɾwas/kɛ puɾtɾwɑ
Do you have any tables available for a group of four?	Avez-vous des tables disponibles pour un groupe de quatre personnes ?	ave-vude tablə dispɔniblə puɾ œ̃ gɾupə də katɾə pɛɾsɔnə ?
I have a large group of seven people. Do you have tables available for lunch/dinner?	Nous sommes sept. Avez-vous des tables disponibles pour le déjeuner/dîner ?	nu sɔmə sɛ. ave-vude tablə dispɔniblə puɾ lə deʒœnɛɾ/dine ?
I prefer the inside	Je préfère à l'intérieur	ʒə pɾefɛɾ a lɛ̃teɾjœɾ
I prefer the outside	Je préfère à l'extérieur/en terrasse	ʒə pɾefɛɾ a lɛksteɾjœɾ/ɛ̃ tɛrasə
We will need a baby chair	Nous aurons besoin d'une chaise bébé	nuz‿ ɔɾõ bəswɛ̃ dynə ʃɛzə bebe
Is it possible to have a sea view?	Est-il possible d'avoir vue sur la mer ?	ɛt‿-il pɔsiblə davwaɾ vɥə syɾ lamεɾ ?
Do you have set menus for groups?	Avez-vous des menus fixes pour les groupes ?	ave-vude məny figzə puɾle gɾupə ?

How to order at a restaurant in French

Now, things are about to get serious. Get ready for your next sortie au restaurant with the examples below!

English	French	IPA
Could I please see the drinks menu?	Pourrais-je voir la carte des boissons ?	pure-ʒə vwaɾ la kaɾtəde bwasõ ?
What are the vegetarian options?	Quelles sont les options végétariennes ?	kɛlə sõlez‿ ɔptjõ veʒetaɾjɛnə ?
I’m allergic to…	Je suis allergique à...	ʒə sɥiz‿ alɛɾʒik a...
May I please order a bottle of wine?	Puis-je commander une bouteille de vin ?	pɥi-ʒə kɔmɑ̃de ynə butɛjə də vɛ̃ ?
Which wines do you recommend?	Quels vins recommandez-vous ?	kɛl vɛ̃ ɾəkɔmɑ̃de-vu ?
What do you recommend?	Que me recommandez-vous ?	kə mə ɾəkɔmɑ̃de-vu ?
May I please order a cocktail?	Puis-je commander un cocktail ?	pɥi-ʒə kɔmɑ̃de œ̃ kɔkktaj ?
I’ll have the…	Je vais prendre le...	ʒə ve pɾɑ̃dɾə lə...
What are the specials of the day?	Quel est le plat du jour ?	kɛlɛ lə pla dy ʒuɾ ?
A bottle of water for the table, please.	Une bouteille d'eau pour la table, s'il vous plaît.	ynə butɛjə do puɾ la tablə, sil vu ple.
Could I please have the check/bill?	Puis-je avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?	pɥi-ʒ avwaɾ ladisjõ, sil vu ple ?
That was delicious!	C'était délicieux !	sete delisjø !
Compliments to the chef!	Félicitations au chef !	felisitatjõz‿ o ʃɛf !
Is the tip included?	Le pourboire est-il inclus ?	lə puɾbwaɾɛt‿-il ɛ̃kly ?
Very rare	Bleu/saignant	blɛy/sɛɲɑ̃
Rare	Rosé	ɾoze
Medium rare	À point	a pwɛ̃
Well done	Bien cuit	bjɛ̃ kɥi
Is it possible to order this dish without cilantro?	Est-il possible de commander ce plat sans coriandre ?	ɛt‿-il pɔsiblə də kɔmɑ̃de sə pla sɑ̃ kɔɾjɑ̃dɾə ?
Can I replace the dessert with cheese in the menu?	Puis-je remplacer le dessert par du fromage dans le menu ?	pɥi-ʒə ɾɑ̃plase lə dɛsɛɾ paɾ dy fɾɔmaʒə dɑ̃ lə məny ?
Is the dessert home-made?	Le dessert est-il maison ?	lə dɛsɛɾ ɛt‿-il mɛzõ ?

Conversation example with translation

1. Waiter/waitress: Bonjour, vous avez choisi ou vous avez besoin d’un peu plus de temps?
   Customer: Nous avons choisi, merci. Pour moi ce sera le steak frites, à point s’il vous plaît.

2. Waiter/Waitress: Et comme boisson ?
   Customer: De l’eau plate, merci.

Translation

1. Waiter/waitress: Hello, are you ready to order, or do you need more time?
   Customer: We are ready, thank you. I will have the steak with French fries, medium rare, please.

2. Waiter/Waitress: And to drink?
   Customer: Still water, thank you.

French phrases for restaurant workers and waiters

Below are a few examples of what your waiter or waitress might say at a French restaurant.

English	French	IPA
Would you like to start with still or sparkling water?	Voulez-vous commencer par de l’eau plate ou gazeuse ?	vule-vu kɔmɑ̃se paɾ də lo plat u gazøzə ?
What would you like to drink?	Que voulez-vous boire ?	kə vule-vu bwaɾə ?
What would you like to eat?	Que voulez-vous manger ?	kə vule-vu mɑ̃ʒe ?
Are you ready to order?	Vous avez choisi ?	vuz‿ ave ʃwazi ?
Would you like to hear the daily specials?	Souhaitez-vous connaître les plats du jour ?	su(e)te-vu kɔnɛtɾəle pla dy ʒuɾ ?
Would you like to see the dessert menu?	Voulez-vous voir la carte des desserts ?	vule-vu vwaɾ la kaɾtəde dɛsɛɾ ?
Would you like a high chair?	Voulez-vous une chaise haute ?	vule-vuz‿ ynə ʃɛzə otə ?
Another drink?	Une autre boisson ?	yn otɾə bwasõ ?
How is your meal?	Comment se passe votre repas ?	kɔmə sə pasə vɔtɾə ɾəpa ?
I’m listening	Je vous écoute	ʒə vuz‿ ekutə
Did you enjoy it?	Ça vous a plu ?	sa vuz‿ a ply ?
Have you finished?	Vous avez terminé ?	vuz‿ ave tɛɾmine ?
Would you like the check?	Je vous apporte l'addition ?	ʒə vuz‿ apɔɾtə ladisjõ ?
Would you like a coffee?	Vous voudrez un café ?	vu vudɾez‿ œ̃ kafe ?

Conversation example with translation

1. Waiter/Waitress: Ça vous a plu ?
   Customer: Oui merci, c’était délicieux.

2. Waiter/Waitress: Voulez-vous voir la carte des desserts ?
   Customer: Non merci, je n’en peux plus. Un café et l’addition, s’il vous plaît.

Translation

1. Waiter/Waitress: Did you enjoy your meal?
   Customer: Yes, thank you, it was delicious.

2. Waiter/Waitress: Would you like to see the dessert menu?
   Customer: No thanks, I‘m full. Coffee and the check, please.

Restaurant menu in French

French gastronomy is very diverse, and it’s impossible to establish an exhaustive list. But the food items below should be a good start, as you’re likely to find them in most restaurants.

English	French	IPA
Fish	Poisson	pwasõ
Steak	Steak	stɛak
Vegetables	Légumes	legmə
Tacos	Tacos	tako
Pork	Porc	pɔɾk
Chicken	Poulet	pule
Potatoes	Pommes de terre	pɔmə də tɛrə
Salad	Salade	saladə
Soup	Soupe/Velouté/potage	supɛ/vəlute/pɔtaʒə
Sauce	Sauce	sosə
Sandwich	Sandwich	sɑ̃dwiʃ
Prawns	Crevettes	kɾəvɛtə
Oysters	Huîtres	ɥitɾə
Mussels	Moules	mulə
Squid	Calamar/Calmar	kalamaɾ/kalmaɾ
Bread	Pain	pɛ̃
Paella	Paella	paɛla
Rice	Riz	ɾi
Noodles	Nouilles	nwijə
Burger	Hamburger	ɑ̃byɾʒe
Cheese plate	Plateau de fromage	plato də fɾɔmaʒə
Olives	Olives	ɔlivə
Pasta	Pâtes	pɑtə
Eggs	Œufs	œf
Rabbit	Lapin	lapɛ̃
Beef	Bœuf	bœf
Lamb	Agneau	aɲo
Snails	Escargots	ɛskaɾgo
Butter	Beurre	bœrə

Desserts in French

As a French person, I can’t imagine having a meal at a restaurant without dessert. There are a trillion delicious desserts, but below are a few basic words. Yum…

English	French	IPA
Cake	Gâteau	gɑto
Ice cream	Crème glacée	kɾɛmə glaseə
Sorbet	Sorbet	sɔɾbe
Gelato	Glace	glasə
Mousse	Mousse	musə
Chocolate	Chocolat	ʃɔkɔla
Panna Cotta	Panna Cotta	pana kɔta
Crème Brûlée	Crème brûlée	kɾɛmə bɾyleə
Churros	Churros	ʃyro
Pie	Tarte	taɾtə
Coffee with small desserts	Café gourmand	kafe guɾmɑ̃
Cookie	Biscuit	biskɥi
Flan	Flan	flɑ̃
Fruit salad	Salade de fruits	saladə də fɾɥi
Meringue	Meringue	məɾɛ̃gə
Crêpes	Crêpes	kɾɛpə
Entremet (fancy cake)	Entremet	ɑ̃tɾəme

Notice that a lot of dessert words here are French words used in English - that's right - you're already more familiar with the French language than you guessed!

How to order tacos in French

Before you say anything… Yes, we know tacos are Mexican. However, we’re not referring to a taco but to a “tacos”. Are you lost? So was I when I went back to France for a few days and found out about this questionable ‘culinary’ trend. Don’t even get me started on my Texan fiancé’s reaction. Bon, alors c’est quoi ?

A French taco is a grilled tortilla folded around cheese, meat… and French fries. Invented in the mid-2000s in a suburb of Lyon, it has dethroned kebabs and burgers for many young people.

Here are a few phrases you can learn to order your first — porn food — French tacos.

Disclaimer: We’re not saying it’s good, we’re just teaching you how it works.

Choose your meat:

• Bonjour, je voudrais un French tacos au poulet/bœuf hâché/nugget/cordon bleu/saucisse/merguez), s’il vous plaît.

Choose your filling:

• Je voudrais aussi du fromage/des champignons/des légumes/un œuf/du bacon/du jambon, etc.

Choose your sauce

• Avec du ketchup/de la mayo/de la sauce blanche/de la sauce américaine/de la sauce barbecue/de la sauce algérienne/de la sauce andalouse/de la sauce au poivre. Merci !

Yep, you can even mix and match. Oh mon dieu.

How to order a baguette in French

Bread is a staple of French food, and has been the base of alimentation for centuries. In fact, there are lots of idioms around it, for example, “Ça ne mange pas de pain”, which means “It doesn’t hurt”.

When in France, you should definitely visit a bakery or two (or a dozen, actually) and enjoy a crunchy baguette, a croissant or a traditional jambon-beurre. If the baguette is still warm, it’s customary to eat the tip of it — le quignon — on your way home.

Here is a little help on knowing what to ask:

• Bonjour, une baguette pas trop cuite s’il vous plaît.

Translation: Hello, a baguette not overdone, please.

• Bonjour, un pain bien cuit s’il vous plaît.

Translation: Hello, a pain well done, please.

Note: From the thinnest to the thickest: ficelle, flûte, baguette, pain. It’s a controversial topic depending on the region, and don’t get me started on “pain au chocolat'' and “chocolatine”!

Whatever you choose, please send us a picture of you with your baguette, a striped t-shirt and a beret. Can’t resist!

Test your knowledge

Now that you know how to order food in French, try ordering something off of our Berlitz French menu. There are lots of local specials to choose from.

Restaurant culture in France

1. Doggy bags

While they are slowly but surely being adopted in Europe, especially in large cities, doggy bags are not really a thing in France. In most European countries, portions are reasonable. It’s possible to finish your dish, or even an entire menu with a starter, main and dessert.

Also, Europeans tend to stay a lot longer than Canadians when they eat out, and dishes typically don’t arrive as quickly. So you have time to make room for the next course! Of course, it doesn’t hurt to ask, but keep in mind that it might be a bit “off-putting” in some restaurants, especially if they are on the fancy side. Instead, try to ask for a dessert to go, for example.

2. The customer is king… or not

In general, French people are a bit less accommodating than Canadians when it comes to customer service. And restaurants are no exceptions. While it’s acceptable to ask for a change due to a dietary restriction, some chefs will refuse to alter their creations. Similarly, restaurants won’t always accept a change or swap in a set menu.

3. Le fromage

For me, THE best thing about France is cheese.

While a traditional French meal will always include cheese before dessert, most modern restaurants will give you the choice between cheese and dessert in their set menu. Some don’t even offer cheese, and this used to offend my grandfather!

After all, France has over 1,200 varieties of cheese!

Some dishes are even entirely based on cheese, for example (click for the recipe):

• La raclette

• La tartiflette

• La croziflette

• La fondue savoyarde

• La boîte chaude

Finally, note that many cheeses (the best, actually) are unpasteurized.

I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. So I won’t keep you much longer. Who better than our favorite rodent chef Ratatouille to conclude this extensive article on food and restaurants in French?

There is just one more thing to say. Bon appétit !