Wherever you are in France, having a meal in a typical French restaurant is a must. Food is an important part of the French culture and being able to experience it will make your trip more complete. In today’s article we are going to identify some of the most common French restaurant vocabulary and expressions that will be useful to you.
Types of eating/drinking places:
| Le restaurant | Where you go for a big French meal (un grand repas français) |
| Le bistro(t) | Smaller, more casual restaurants |
| La brasserie | A brewery: offers good beer and hearty food. |
| Le café | Here you will find everything: complete meals, snacks and drinks |
| La crêperie | Sells savoury galettes and sweet crêpes |
| Le bar | Here you can have a drink without eating anything |
| Le bar à vin | Wine bar |
Saying how many people you are:
On est trois (informal) / Nous sommes trois (more formal) – We are three
Saying whether you want to eat or drink:
| Pour manger | To eat |
| Pour boire | To drink |
| Pour le petit-déjeuner | To have breakfast |
| Pour déjeuner | For lunch |
| Pour dîner | For dinner |
Saying where you prefer to sit:
Je préfère l’extérieur – I prefer the outside.
Je préfère l’intérieur – I prefer the inside.
Types of Menus:
| La carte | The menu |
| Le menu | Set menu |
| L’ardoise | The boards where the specials are written. They’re usually at the entrance of a restaurant or hanging on a wall |
| La carte des vins | Wine menu |
| Une dégustation / Menu dégustation | Tasting menu |
| à la carte | Items that you order off the menu; these would have their own price |
| Plats du jour | Daily special |
| Assiette | Platter |
Categories in a la carte menu:
| Les entrées | Appetizers |
| Un amuse-bouche/amuse-gueule | Small snack |
| Un apéritif | A cocktail / pre-dinner drink |
| Les plats | Main courses |
| Accompagnement | Side dish |
| Les fromages | Cheeses |
| Les desserts | Desserts |
| Les boissons | Drinks |
| Le café | Coffee |
| Un digestif | After-dinner drink |
Ordering food:
| Avez-vous choisi? / Vous avez choisi? | Have you chosen? |
| Qu’est-ce que vous voulez comme boisson? | What would you like to drink? |
| Qu’est-ce que vous buvez? | What will you have to drink? |
| Je vais prendre… | I’m going to take… |
Ending your meal:
| Terminé? / Vous avez terminé? / Avez-vous terminé? | Have you finished? |
| Oui, merci | Yes, thanks |
| Ça a été? / Ça vous a plu? | Did you enjoy your meal? |
| Oui, c’était bon / Oui, c’était vraiment délicieux | Yes, it was good / Yes, it was delicious |
| Vous désirez un dessert ou un café? | Would you like dessert or coffee? |
| Je voudrais la carte des desserts, s’il vous plaît | I would like the dessert menu, please |
| Rien pour moi | Nothing for me |
| S’il vous plaît | This expression is used to grab the waiter’s attention. Once you have his/her attention all you need to say is l’addition (the bill) |
We hope this French restaurant vocabulary will help you to enjoy your meals in France as much as we do!
If you’re considering studying French in France, let us know and we’ll be happy to help you!
