[vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Useful French phrases at a restaurant” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h1″ font_weight=”default” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Being able to confidently order food in public can serve as better proof of your French fluency than any official exam. To pass this trial by fire you’ll need to know useful French phrases at a restaurant. And by this, we mean not only being familiar with the right words, but also the unspoken cultural norms. If you’d like to improve your French for everyday situations, conversation classes will be perfect.
Imagine you’ve dreamed about tasting a delicious boeuf bourguignon or ratatouille for months. You and your friends or family have just picked a table in a charming French restaurant. Then a waiter comes up to you with a notebook in hand and starts to ask you a few questions. But do you know exactly how to say in French how you would like your meat cooked? How will you get sparkling water (and not tap water)? Should you leave a tip, and if so, how much?
In today’s article, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions in a French restaurant and communicate more naturally. For more useful everyday expressions, discover these French phrases to help you sound more like a native speaker.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”18082″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”1. Selecting a French restaurant” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]First, depending on the kind of experience you want to have, you can choose between various eating places. From a very casual café to a trendy gastronomique, possibilities are nearly endless in France[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Cafés
They are generally opened all day and offer a large selection of hot and cold drinks. They serve basic dishes such as croque-monsieur, salads and sandwiches.
Bistrots
You will find simple meals, sometimes with a menu du jour (menu of the day) with a low price and a quick service. Clients are often employees of offices nearby and people living in the neighbourhood.
Brasseries
They are a bit bigger than bistrots, a bit more expensive and with a larger selection of French traditional dishes. In some historical Parisians brasseries such as La Coupole or Brasserie Lip, waiters still wear an authentic white apron and black pants.
Restaurants
You’ll get a great variety of dishes in restaurants. For a special experience, restaurants gastronomiques (gourmet restaurant) propose sophisticated dishes in fine dining establishment. However, names are sometimes difficult to understand ! You could come across description such as un duo de homard et de St-Jacques au Sauternes, sauce champignons des bois.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18085″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Don’t mix up French brasserie, bistrot et café ![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”2. Making a reservation” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][insignia_section_heading title=”2.1 Calling the venue” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Then, once you’ve selected your eatery for the evening, it is strongly recommended to make a reservation. Restaurants are generally more likely to fill up, especially in big cities and during the weekend. So, you should make a quick call to avoid any disappointment.
When you phone the restaurant, you could simply say :
- Bonjour, je voudrais réserver une table pour 2 personnes pour ce soir s’il vous plaît = Hello, I would like to book a table for two people for tonight, please
- Bonjour je voudrais faire une réservation pour 3 personnes pour samedi prochain s’il vous plait = Hello I would like to make a booking for three people for next Saturday, please
It’s always great to precise ahead the number of people and the exact date.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18091″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”2.2 Time of the dinner” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Then, you will be asked the time :
- Pour quelle heure? = For what time?
Generally, service starts around 12pm for lunch and 7pm or 7.30pm for diner. In Paris and a few big cities, you can find non-stop service. Just be careful, in some very busy restaurants if you arrive too late (over 15 minutes), they may cancel your booking even if you call. While most French restaurants will hold your reservation for 15 minutes, some may not!
Finally, you will need to provide your surname:
- C’est à quel nom ? = What name is your reservation under ?
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”3. Finding your table” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”3.1 You already have a reservation” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Next, when you enter to the restaurant and you have a reservation, approach the waiter or maître d’hôtel, depending on the size of the restaurant. Let them know that you have a table waiting:
- Bonsoir, j’ai réservé une table au nom de… = I have reserved a table in the name of…
- Bonsoir, j’ai une réservation au nom de…
Or they might ask you first :
- Avez-vous une réservation? = Do you have a reservation?
- Deux couverts, c’est bien cela? = A table for two, is that right ?
Les couverts are the cutlery so this may refer to a set a cutlery, therefore a dining table.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”3.2 You don’t have a reservation” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Of course, it’s still very possible to eat out in France and find a nice table on the spot. You can simply ask:
- Auriez-vous une table disponible pour deux ? = Would you you have a table available for 2 ?
- Peut-on manger quelque chose ? = Can we eat something ?
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”4. Understanding a French menu” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][insignia_section_heading title=”4.1 Engaging with the waiter” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row gap=”0px” css_animation=”none”][vc_column][vc_column_text]When it is time to speak to your waiter, there is no need to worry. These short exchanges are a useful opportunity to improve your French pronunciation and become more comfortable speaking. Being polite and thanking your waiter will help the interaction go smoothly.
To get your waiter’s attention after placing your order, simply say Excusez-moi, s’il vous plaît.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row gap=”0px” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1788322393495{background-color: #E8F0EB !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Please don’t say ‘garçon’ anymore !
This as it’s quite old fashioned to use ‘garçon’ and not used anymore. This common French cliché could even make you sound rude.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][insignia_section_heading title=”4.2 Helpful words for navigating the menu” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]
- Une carte = Menu
- Hors boissons = Excluding drinks
- Service compris = Service included
- Un amuse-bouche or amuse-gueule = A little snack, just one or two bites
- Une entrée = Appetizer or starter
- Un plat du jour = Dish of the day
- Un plat principal = Main dish
- Une garniture ou un accompagnement au choix = Side dish of your choice
- Un plateau de fromages = Cheese platter
- Un dessert = Dessert
- Un digestif = After-dinner drink
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”18084″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row gap=”0px” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1788322533328{background-color: #E8F0EB !important;}”][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Want to Practise These French Restaurant Phrases?” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Learning the right expressions is a great start. Through personalized one-to-one lessons, you can use them in realistic conversations and become more comfortable speaking French.[/vc_column_text][insignia_button btn_text=”Learn French with Me” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.frenchwithagnes.com%2Fcontact-private-french-tutor%2F|title:Start%20your%20French%20Lessons|target:_blank” button_size=”btn-medium” button_align=”text-center” enable_icon=”” text_font_weight=”font-weight-600″ btn_bg_color=”#5C977A” hover_bg_color=”#6FAF8F” border_color=”#5C977A” hover_border_color=”#6FAF8F”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”5. Ordering your French Drinks” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”5.1 Tasting aperitif and wines” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Generally, the waiter will ask you if you’d like something to drink first :
- Souhaiteriez-vous un aperitif ? = Would you like an aperitif?
- Est-ce que vous prendrez un apéritif ? = Will you take an aperitif ?
- Vous désirez boire quelque chose? = Would you like to drink something?
French restaurants tend to have a large wine selection. In gourmet restaurant, a sommelier will be there to give you the best recommendations. Wine can be from the region, from elsewhere in France or even from overseas. Therefore, dining out is a great way to sample different wines.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18093″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”5.2 Getting water and coffee” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]
When ordering water with your meal, there are a few options to know about.
- Simply asking for une carafe d’eau will get you a jug of tap water at no extra cost.
- If you do want a bottled water, you can select either de l’eau plate (still water) or de l’eau gazeuse (sparkling water). If you don’t specify, your waiter will normally ask you which one you would prefer.
After dinner, it’s very common to order a coffee (an espresso). We’ll see in a future article the specificities about coffees in France ![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”6. Getting to know the menu options” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Now, the important part of the dining experience. What to choose between all these delicacies ?
So you have a menu, and your waiter or waitress has just taken your drink orders. Afterwards, he or she will ask you :
- Vous avez choisi ? = Have you chosen ?
- Vous avez fait votre choix ?
If you hesitate between two dishes, you can always ask your waiter for a recommendation :
- Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? = What do you recommend?
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18097″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”6.1 Methods of cooking” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Like most other countries, a French menu will normally contain a dish with each type of meat option and one or two fish plates. Knowing how these dishes are cooked can sometimes require a bit more work.
- Au four = Cooked in the oven
- A l’étouffée / à la vapeur = Steamed
- Fumé = Smoked
- Grillé = Grilled
- Haché = Minced
- Mariné = Marinated
- Mijoté = Stewed
- Poêlé = Pan-fried
- Rôti = Roasted dish
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][insignia_section_heading title=”6.2 Useful phrases for dietary restrictions” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]
- Je suis diabétique = I am diabetic
- Je suis végétarien(ne) = I am vegetarian
- Je suis végétalien(ne) = I am vegan
- Je suis allergique à … = I am allergic to…
- Est-ce que vous avez des plats sans…? = Do you have dishes without…?
- Sans gluten = Gluten free
- Sans produits laitiers = Dairy free
Obviously, it could be more difficult to find vegetarian or vegan options in smaller cities than in Paris for example.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”18099″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][insignia_section_heading title=”6.3 Vocabulary for your meat” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h3″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]
- Tartare = Tartare
- Bleue = Raw
- Saignante = Rare
- A point = Medium rare
- Bien cuite = Well done
- Sauce béarnaise = Sauce made of butter emulsified in egg yolks and white wine vinegar, flavored with herbs
- Sauce au poivre = Pepper sauce
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”18100″ img_size=”400×400″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”7. Ordering your meal in French” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Once you have ordered your drinks and decided what you would like to eat, it is time to order your meal.
In French, the present conditional is often used to make requests sound more polite, particularly in phrases such as Je voudrais… Here are some useful expressions for ordering and for the rest of your meal:
- Je voudrais = I would like (conditional tense)
- J’aimerais essayer = I would like to try
- Je vais prendre = I’m going to take (futur proche)
- Je n’ai pas encore choisi = I haven’t chosen yet
- Quelques minutes encore, s’il vous plaît = A few more minute, please
- Quelle est le plat du jour ? = What is today’s special?
- C’est terminé = I/We have finished
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît = The bill, please
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18107″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”8. Ending your meal” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Finally, the waiter or waitress come to your table at the end of your meal to see how everything went. You will be asked:
- Ca a été ? = How did it go?
I hope you will reply Très bien, merci ! (very well, thank you). In case something went wrong, it’s always better to say it at the right time:
- Excusez-moi, la viande est trop cuite = Excuse-me, the meat is too cooked
- Le plat est froid. Serait-il possible de le réchauffer? = The dish is cold. Would it be possible to warm it up?
- Désolé, je n’ai pas aimé = Sorry, I didn’t like it
Furthermore, even though it’s getting a bit more popular, it’s still quite rare for a French restaurant to offer a doggy bag service. So if you don’t finish your meal, you probably won’t be able to take it home with you.
For the tip – a frequently asked question from my students – most restaurants in France will include the service charge. As a result, the total bill should be all you need to pay. However, if you would like to leave something as a nice gesture, you could 5 to 10%. It’s really at your discretion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”18102″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row gap=”0px” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1788322533328{background-color: #E8F0EB !important;}”][vc_column][insignia_section_heading title=”Keep Exploring French Through Food” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” add_icon=”” heading_tag=”h2″ font_weight=”default” text_transform=”none” sub_font_weight=”default”][vc_column_text]Discovering local food is a wonderful way to experience French-speaking cultures while practising useful vocabulary in context. To continue exploring the language of food, take a look at my article about French food idioms.
If you’d like to feel more confident speaking French in restaurants and other everyday situations, I’d be happy to help you through personalized one-to-one French lessons.[/vc_column_text][insignia_button btn_text=”Start Your French Lessons” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.frenchwithagnes.com%2Fcontact-private-french-tutor%2F|title:Start%20your%20French%20Lessons|target:_blank” button_size=”btn-medium” button_align=”text-center” enable_icon=”” text_font_weight=”font-weight-600″ btn_bg_color=”#5C977A” hover_bg_color=”#6FAF8F” border_color=”#5C977A” hover_border_color=”#6FAF8F”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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