Soren and Mr. Rabbit entering a French restaurant

When it comes to fine dining, nothing beats a classic French restaurant. From the chic decor and cozy atmosphere to the delectable food and impeccable service, French restaurants offer an unforgettable experience for any occasion. But, if you’re not familiar with the language or culture of France, ordering a meal can be quite intimidating.

Don’t worry, though. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner date or simply want to enjoy some delicious cuisine in a new city, this article will guide you through the process of ordering food in a French restaurant. Let’s dive in, and dine out.

Choose the Restaurant

French restaurants come in all shapes and sizes, each offering its own unique dining experience. From a traditional Parisian bistro to a Michelin-starred establishment, there’s something for everyone. But, how do you choose the right French restaurant for you?

First and foremost, it’s important to consider your budget and preferences. If you’re looking for an exquisite yet affordable meal, consider trying out a local bistro or brasserie. These restaurants typically offer basic fares such as frites and croque monsieur.

On the other hand, if you’re after a fine dining experience with high-quality ingredients and innovative dishes, then splurge on one of the many renowned French restaurants that have been awarded Michelin stars.

When researching places to eat online, take some time to read reviews from previous customers. This should give you a good indication as to what kind of service and food quality you can expect at the restaurant.

Consider also checking out their menus before making a reservation so that you can have an idea of what dishes they serve and if they fit your dietary restrictions or preferences.

It is also worth noting that different French restaurants specialize in different types of cuisine – be it classic French dishes or modern interpretations thereof – so make sure to pick one that matches your tastes.

A great way to do this is by taking note of any awards the establishment has received from culinary institutions such as the Michelin guide or Gault & Millau guidebook. Both are internationally renowned for their strict criteria when rating chefs and eateries alike.

And lastly, always remember that at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference; choose a restaurant where you feel comfortable, no matter how fancy it may be. After all, all anyone really wants from an enjoyable dining experience is good food coupled with excellent service – both of which can be found even in simpler settings.

Make a Reservation

Soren calling the restaurant from home, making a reservation, saying: “Je voudrais faire une réservation pour deux personnes, s'il vous plaît.”

Once you’ve chosen your restaurant, it is paramount that you make a reservation in advance. It’s no secret that French restaurants can get busy, and unless you plan on eating as soon as they open their doors, chances are the best tables will already be occupied by the time you arrive.

When making a reservation, keep in mind that most establishments ask for details such as the number of people in your party and any special requests or dietary restrictions. If possible, provide them with both so that they can better accommodate your needs. This is also the time to mention whether you’d prefer a table inside or outside, if the restaurant provides outdoor seating.

Also, be sure to ask about any payment options – most places allow you to pay via card or cash, while some may even offer discounts for paying the bill (or at least part of it) upon booking.

Here are some phrases that can help you with this step:

French

English

Je voudrais faire une réservation pour trois personnes, s'il vous plaît.

I would like to make a reservation for three people please.

Bonjour ! Une table pour deux personnes, s'il vous plaît !

Hello! A table for two people, please!

Bonjour, nous sommes trois. | Bonjour, c’est pour trois.

Hello, we are three people.

Je préfère à l'intérieur.

I prefer the inside.

Je préfère à l'extérieur/en terrasse.

I prefer the outside.

Nous aurons besoin d'une chaise bébé.

We will need a baby chair.

Avez-vous des tables disponibles pour un groupe de quatre personnes ?

Do you have any tables available for a group of four?

Nous sommes sept. Avez-vous des tables disponibles pour le déjeuner, dîner ?

I have a large group of seven people. Do you have tables available for lunch, dinner?

Avez-vous des menus fixes pour les groupes ?

Do you have set menus for groups?

Navigate a French Menu

Once you’ve arrived at the restaurant, it is time to select what dishes you want to order. For those not familiar with French cuisine, this can be quite a daunting task. The trick is to take your time and read through the menu carefully before making any decisions.

Most menus in France are divided into several sections: starters, main courses, side dishes, desserts, and drinks. You might also see some words that refer to methods of cooking that give dishes a unique flavor.

Here are all the French words and phrases you need to know to understand the menu in a French restaurant. Knowing these terms will help you easily spot each item on the menu and make an informed decision about what to order.

French

English

La carte

Menu

À la carte

From the menu

Prix fixe

Set menu

L’entrée

Appetizer

Le plat principal

Main dish

Le fromage

Cheese plate

Le dessert

Dessert

Le digestif

After-dinner drink

Le petit-déjeuner

Breakfast

Le déjeuner

Lunch

Le dîner

Dinner

Know Your Options

Now that you are familiar with the menu, it is time to decide what dishes to order. French restaurants usually offer a range of classic French cuisine options such as steak frites, salmon en croûte, or coq au vin.

For those looking for something more exotic, there are also specialty dishes like escargots de Bourgogne or lapin à la moutarde. And, of course, there are always restaurants that specialize in contemporary French cuisine and prepare really flamboyant dishes.

To help you understand what dishes are on the menu, here are the words you should be familiar with:

Common French Food

French

English

Agneau

Lamb

Beurre

Butter

Bœuf

Beef

Calamar, calmar

Squid

Crevettes

Prawns

Escargots

Snails

Hamburger

Burger

Huile d'olive

Olive oil

Huîtres

Oysters

Lapin

Rabbit

Légumes

Vegetables

Moules

Mussels

Nouilles

Noodles

Œufs

Eggs

Olives

Olives

Paella

Paella

Pain

Bread

Pâtes

Pasta

Plateau de fromage

Cheese plate

Poisson

Fish

Pommes de terre

Potatoes

Porc

Pork

Poulet

Chicken

Riz

Rice

Salade

Salad

Sandwich

Sandwich

Sauce

Sauce

Soupe | Velouté | Potage

Soup

Steak

Steak

Tacos

Tacos

Drinks

French

English

Eau

Water

Vin

Wine

Et une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît.

And a carafe of water, please.

Je voudrais une bouteille d’eau minéral, d’eau gazeuse.

I would like a bottle of mineral water, sparkling water.

Un rouge, un blanc

A red, a white (wine)

Une bouteille de rouge, de blanc

A bottle of red, white (wine)

Un thé

(A cup of) tea

Un café

(A cup of) coffee

Une infusion

Herbal tea

Want to learn more French food vocabulary? Check this article.

Common French Dishes

French

English

Boeuf bourguignon

Beef Burgundy, beef stew braised with red wine

Bouillabaisse

traditional French fish soup made with different types of fish, especially sea bass, red rascasse, sea urchins, etc.

Cassoulet

a stew with white beans and meat

Chocolate soufflé

chocolate souffle with crispy crust and creamy chocolate inside

Confit de canard

duck, marinated and slow-cooked with butter and herbs, typically served with roasted potatoes and garlic

Coq au vin

chicken braised with wine, literally translated as “rooster in wine”

Crêpes Suzette

crêpes, or pancakes with butter, lemon, caramelized sugar, and triple sec, flambéed

Croque-monsieur

a hot sandwich with ham and cheese, often served with vegetables

Croque-madame

a variation of croque-monsieur with a poached or fried egg on top

Escargot

land snails, usually served with vegetables and several sauces

Quiche Lorraine

a tart consisting of pastry crust filled with custard and pieces of cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetables

Ratatouille

vegetables, shallow-fried and then baked in a casserole

Salade Niçoise

a salad that usually includes lettuce, tomatoes, boiled eggs, tuna, green beans, olives, and anchovies

Salmon en papillote

salmon baked in parchment

Soupe à l’oignon

onion soup

Tarte Tatin

a tart made with caramelized fruit, typically apples

Choose the Right Meat

If you select meat as your main course, the waiter will ask about how cooked you'd like it. This will often happen, for example, if you order a steak or beef in general. Note that some French dishes, like duck breast, are always served rare.

 A menu at a French restaurant, with names of dishes and small images of these dishes next to them

Here are the five degrees of cooking meat in French:

French

English

bleu

very rare: very red in the middle and lukewarm

saignant

rare: red in the middle

à point

medium rare: pink in the middle

cuit

cooked: slightly pinkish in the middle

bien cuit

well done

Order It

Once you’ve chosen your dishes, it is time to order them properly. The waiter will ask you:

French

English

Bonjour, vous avez choisi ou vous avez besoin d’un peu plus de temps ?

Hello, are you ready to order, or do you need more time?

Vous prendrez une boisson pour commencer ?

Will you have a drink to start?

Très bien, et comme entrée ?

Very well, and for the appetizer?

Et comme plat principal ?

And for the main course?

Vous prendrez un fromage? Un dessert? Un café ou un thé ?

Will you have cheese? Dessert? Coffee or tea?

Je peux vous proposer un digestif?

Can I suggest a digestive?

Here are the responses you can use:

French

English

Je voudrais…

I would like…

Je vais prendre…

I will have…

Puis-je commander un…

May I please order… (a cocktail, a bottle of wine)

Pourrais-je voir la carte des boissons ?

Could I please see the drinks menu?

Que me recommandez-vous ?

What do you recommend?

Quel est le plat du jour ?

What are the specials of the day?

Est-il possible de commander ce plat sans…. ?

Is it possible to order this dish without…

Puis-je remplacer le dessert par du fromage dans le menu ?

Can I replace the dessert with cheese in the menu?

Le dessert est-il maison ?

Is the dessert home-made?

When deciding on your order, don’t forget to ask your server about any specials they might have – these are usually traditional dishes made to the chef’s own recipe and can make for a truly unique eating experience.

 Iggy, the waiter, asking Mr. Rabbit and Soren: “Vous prendrez une boisson pour commencer ?” and Soren responding: “Oui, je vais prendre un thé.”

And, don't be afraid to ask questions – most French restaurants are very accommodating and will be more than happy to help with any queries or requests you may have!

If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, make sure to mention them when ordering your meal. Most restaurants in France are happy to accommodate guests who follow specific diets such as vegetarianism, veganism, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

Just ask your server if they have any options available that fit your needs, and they should be able to provide you with some suitable alternatives.

Finally, don’t forget about allergies. Be sure to inform the staff of any food allergies you may have before placing your order so that you can ensure a safe meal. Here’s some vocabulary to communicate any restrictions:

French

English

Je suis allergique à...

I’m allergic to…

Je suis diabétique.

I am diabetic.

Je suis végétarien, végétarienne

I am vegetarian.

Je suis végétalien, végétalienne

I am vegan.

Quelles sont les options végétariennes ?

What are the vegetarian options?

Ask for the Bill

When you’re finished with your meal, it is time to ask for the bill. The French word for ‘the bill’ is l’addition – remember this phrase, and you won't have any trouble asking for what you owe!

Let’s learn some other helpful vocabulary to go along with it:

French

English

L’addition

the bill

Puis-je avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?

Could I please have the bill?

Le pourboire est-il inclus ?

Is the tip included?

Est-ce que je peux payer avec la carte bancaire ?

Can I pay with a credit card?

Il semble y avoir une erreur avec la facture. L’addition semble être trop élevée !

There seems to be a mistake with the bill. It seems to be too high!

And, of course, remember to practice French numbers to make sure you get the sum right.

Comment on the Food

Once your meal is over, it’s polite to give feedback or comment on the food. If you enjoyed your meal, saying something positive is a great way to show appreciation for the French chefs and waiters who served you.

Here are some useful phrases for this situation:

French

English

C'était délicieux !

That was delicious!

Félicitations au chef !

Compliments to the chef!

C’était bon, merci.

It was good, thank you.

Enjoy Your Meal!

Mr. Rabbit and Soren finishing their meals, saing together: “C'était délicieux !” amazed by the food

Many people are intimidated by the prospect of ordering food in a French restaurant. However, with a little bit of knowledge, anyone can order their meal with confidence and make sure they get the unique dining experience that French cuisine offers.

Hopefully, with these tips in mind, your next trip to a French restaurant will be enjoyable. Relax, have fun, and don’t worry about making a mistake – you can always ask questions if you need help understanding menu items or making special requests. Enjoy the food – bon appétit!