Ordering food in a French restaurant can be an enjoyable experience if you know the right vocabulary and phrases. We already discussed the structure you need to follow for asking for a snack at a café, but this guide will help you learn how to order food in French from a restaurant.

You’ll also get familiar with the vocabulary necessary for making a reservation and asking for the bill. By the end of this post, you’ll be confident in handling any dining situation in France.

Making a reservation

When you arrive at a restaurant or call to make a reservation, you might be asked:

• C’est pour combien de personnel ? How many people is it for?
• C’est pour quatre (personnes). It’s for four people.

Being seated

• En terrace ou en salle ? On the terrace or in the room?

If there is a terrace, they might give you the option. You will then have to choose if you prefer to eat inside or outside.

• Suivez-moi, s’il vous plaît. Follow me, please.

Once you arrive, the waiter or waitress might say this. This phrase invites you to follow the host to your table.

• Je suis désolé(e), nous sommes complets. I am sorry, we are full.

This is a polite way to inform you that no tables are available.

• Voulez-vous attendre ? Would you like to wait?

They may offer you the option to wait. This question asks if you are willing to wait for a table to become available.

Reviewing the menu

After being seated, you will be given the menu:

• La carte – This refers to the regular menu listing all available items.

• Un menu – This is a set menu with a fixed price, often including an appetizer, main course, and dessert.

• Un menu enfant – A special menu designed for children, usually with smaller portions and child-friendly options.

• Le menu du jour – A special menu that changes daily, often highlighting seasonal or special ingredients.

If you need an English or a children’s menu, you can ask:

• Vous avez une carte en Anglais ?

This is helpful if you are not fluent in French and need an English translation of the menu.

• Vous avez un menu enfant ?

Use this question if you are dining with children and need a kid-friendly menu.

For families with young children, you might need:

• Une chaise haute A high chair
• Une chaise pour bébé A baby chair

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 17 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases to know how to order food in French at a restaurant. Listen to it now:

How to order food in French: placing your order

When it’s time to order, this is where you will have to know how to order food in French, the waiter might ask:

• Vous avez choisi ? Have you chosen?
• Que désirez-vous ? What would you like?

Here are some common dishes and how to order them:

• Je voudrais un poulet frites. I would like a chicken with fries.
• Je prends un steak frites. I’ll have steak with fries.

Discussing steak doneness

If you order a steak, you need to specify how you want it cooked, this is very useful to know how to order food in French:

• Quelle cuisson ? How would you like it cooked?
• Bleu Very rare – Almost raw, seared on the outside.
• Saignant Rare – Rarely cooked inside, still red.
• À point Medium – Cooked through but still pink inside.
• Bien cuit Well done – Fully cooked through with no pink.

Handling Special Requests and Allergies

If you have any special requests or allergies, it’s important to communicate them:

• Je voudrais ça/cela. I would like this/that.
• Vous avez des allergies ? Do you have any allergies?
• Je suis allergique à … I am allergic to …

Requesting the Bill

When you’re ready to leave, don’t forget to ask for the bill:

• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. The bill, please. – A polite way to request the check

Learning how to order food in French will greatly enhance your dining experience in any French-speaking country. By knowing how to communicate your preferences and allergies, you can ensure a pleasant meal. Keep practising these phrases, and soon, you’ll feel comfortable and confident ordering food in French restaurants. Bon appétit !

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn more useful phrases to use at the restaurant? Then check the article we prepared to help you talk about dietary restrictions.