Eating Out in France: The Ultimate Guide to Ordering Food Like A Local
Feeling confused when eating out in France ? Read our helpful guide to get ordering like a local in no time!
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Usual Food Vocabulary/PhrasesFrench CafésUseful Café Vocabulary/Phrases:French RestaurantsFrench Take-Out FoodLearning how to order food in French is something important especially if you plan on visiting or living in France.
Fret not; we’re here to explain complicated menus, French customs and useful phrases to get you ordering food like a local!
Time to learn how to order in French!
Usual Food Vocabulary/Phrases
Wherever you decide to eat or drink, it’s best to brush up on some phrases first to make your experience much more pleasurable, not to mention impress the French locals!
Here are some basics to get you started:
- 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 personnesI’d like to reserve a table for two
- Excusez-moi Monsieur/MadameExcuse 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 prêts/prêtes à commanderWe are ready to order (prêts for a male or mixed group; prêtes for an all-female group)
- Je n’ai pas encore choisiI haven’t chosen yet
- Une minute encore, s’il vous plaîtOne more minute, please
- Pour moi/lui/elleFor me/him/her
- Je voudrais/ J’aimerais/ Je prendsI would like/I would love/I will take
- C’est terminéWe’ve finished
- C’était délicieux/très bonIt was delicious/very good
- L’addition s’il vous plaîtThe bill, please
- Un pourboiretip
French Cafés
The term café in France should be taken rather loosely, as they are not strictly for coffee, tea and cake. Many casual restaurants act as cafés around eating times so they’re the place to go whether you’re after a quick espresso or a croque Monsieur.
At many cafés you can seat yourself, but check with staff if a table is reserved or laid for a meal before grabbing one that takes your fancy! The seating is often cramped–especially on the Parisian Terraces–having classic ‘bench-like’ set ups of tables in rows. But don’t be put off; they are surprisingly charming and perfect for people watching!
The French have a particular way of doing things, eating out included!
You may find the service rather brusque at a café. The client turnaround is high, so serving staff don’t focus too much on creating a rapport with clients. With that said, don’t feel obliged to move upon finishing your last mouthful—the Parisians often read a book for a whole morning over a coffee that costs only a couple of euros.
The French service is much less formal than in other places around the world. Staff can often be seen smoking outside. And don’t be surprised if you catch them on their phones while standing behind the counter in full view–they certainly won’t be!
Useful Café Vocabulary/Phrases:
- C’est pour boire un verre/mangerWe just want to have a drink/eat
- Un café allongéLong black coffee (espresso with extra water)
- Un café au laitMilky coffee / latte
- Un expressoEspresso
- Un théTea
- Du sucreSugar
- La carteMenu
- Du vinWine
- Du painBread
- Du fromageCheese
- Du jambonHam
- De la soupeSoup
- Une carafe d’eauTap water
French Restaurants
Unlike cafés which are open from morning to night, restaurants open solely for food. You should expect to pay a little more and receive something more formal in return. Getting a reservation is often recommended, and you should always wait to be seated. The service should be more attentive, with waiters much more open to helping you with translations and any questions you may have.
Unlike café meals – which are usually quite basic – here you can enjoy France’s culinary delights spread across three courses. You will normally be served bread as a couvert, followed by a starter, main, and dessert. A cheese course is also usually offered.
With all this food you can often enjoy a relaxed evening, though some restaurants set a time limit or have a second seating. Lunch Set Menus are also often offered–definitely worth checking out if you want to experience some of France’s fantastic food on a budget. Don’t hesitate to ask for tap water – a carafe of ordinary tap water is free with a meal, while bottled water is charged separately.
It is not common to tip after a meal; the service charge is usually included in your bill, and staff do not expect to receive anything extra. The 10% rule most certainly does not apply. If you really do enjoy the sublime service and want to show your gratitude, a few euros is more than enough to put a smile on your server’s face!
Useful Restaurant Vocabulary/Phrases:
- La carte des vinsThe Wine List
- À la carteIndividual dishes that are usually more expensive than the Set Menu
- Un menu / une formuleSet Menu
- Un apéritifPre-dinner drink/cocktail
- Une coupe de ChampagneA glass of champagne
- Des glaçonsIce
- L’entréeThe Starter
- Le plat principalThe Main Course
- Le dessertThe Dessert
- Le fromageThe Cheese Course
- Le digestifThe Digestive Drink/After-Dinner Drink
- le plat du jour(Dish) Of the Day
- un morceauA piece
- une trancheA slice (of bread, meat, cake)
- une rondelleA slice (fruit, veggie)
- un verre de vinA glass of wine
- une carafe d’eauJug of water / tap water
- saignant/à point/bien cuitRare/medium/well done
French Take-Out Food
Take-outs are becoming increasingly popular in France. Don’t be put off by the quick conversations and unfamiliar terminology—many words are actually the same in English, and if you’re really stuck, there’s always pointing!
Food is usually cheaper if you opt to take-out, and during the working week you can snap up some great deals. Everywhere from Boulangeries to Mexican Street Food outlets have jumped on board, so whatever you fancy, there’s no need to stop exploring when you can grab it ’n’ go.
Useful Take-out Vocabulary/Phrases:
- À emporterTo take-away
- sur placeEat in
- piquant / épicéSpicy
- EmballéWrapped up
- Les couvertsCutlery
- Un sacA bag
- dix minutes d’attente(ten) minutes wait
Remember, folks: practice makes perfect. Now, is there ever a better excuse to go crazy on French food than that!?
