At a restaurant

Eating at a restaurant in France follows a familiar sequence, but some of the language and customs may be different from what you are used to.

From asking for a table to requesting the bill, a small number of phrases can carry you through most of a restaurant meal.

Bistrot, brasserie, or café? Learn what these names tell you about a place.

Asking for a table

When you arrive, you can ask for a table by saying how many people are in your group:

The pattern une table pour... works for any group size. If you have a reservation, au nom de... tells the restaurant which name to look for.

Understanding the menu

You may see la carte, un menu, une formule, or le plat du jour. These terms describe different ways a restaurant presents its choices.

For the differences between these terms and the language used when ordering, see Menus and ordering food.

Asking about a dish

If you need more information before ordering, you can ask about the ingredients or what comes with a dish:

The pattern Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans... ? lets you ask what a particular dish contains.

Ordering your meal

You can order with je voudrais..., je vais prendre..., or simply state your choice once the server has asked:

When the server comes to take your order, you may hear:

Once the exchange has started, a short answer such as Le poisson, s'il vous plaît or Le plat du jour, s'il vous plaît is enough.

Ordering drinks and water

When the server asks Et comme boisson ?, you can give the drink directly or use the same patterns you use for food:

For water, these are useful distinctions:

If you want tap water, ask for une carafe d'eau. With bottled water, you may be asked whether you want de l'eau plate or de l'eau gazeuse.

Asking for something at the table

If you need something during the meal, Je peux avoir... ? is a useful pattern:

To get the server's attention, simply say Excusez-moi.

Responding to the server during the meal

The server may check that everything is going well or ask whether you have finished:

A short response is usually enough:

Dessert, coffee, and the end of the meal

When the server clears your plates, you may hear Ça a été ? to ask whether everything was okay:

You may then be asked whether you would like dessert or coffee:

In France, un café normally means an espresso. For other kinds of coffee and café vocabulary, see At a café.

Asking for the bill and paying

In France, the server will not usually bring the bill until you ask for it. When you are ready to leave, ask for l'addition:

L'addition, s'il vous plaît is enough when you simply want to ask for the bill.

From learning to practice

When you look at a restaurant menu, choose what you would order and practice the phrases you would need throughout the meal. Start by asking for a table, order your food and drink, respond to a few questions from the server, and finish by asking for the bill.