Stepping into a French restaurant shouldn’t feel intimidating. Whether you’re dining at a cozy bistro in Paris or a countryside brasserie, knowing the right phrases transforms your experience from awkward pointing at menus to confident, enjoyable conversations with your server.
The difference between a tourist and a traveler often comes down to these small moments of connection . When you order in French, you’re not just getting food—you’re showing respect for the culture and opening doors to warmer service and insider recommendations.
Top 10 French Essential Restaurant Phrases
Memorize these core phrases for confident restaurant navigation anywhere in France:
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
Example Sentence
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
Translation
Hello, how are you?
French
Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît
English
A table for two, please
Example Sentence
Bonjour, une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Hello, a table for two, please.
French
La carte, s'il vous plaît
Example Sentence
Pourrions-nous avoir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?
Translation
Could we have the menu, please?
Example Sentence
Je voudrais le plat du jour.
Translation
I would like the dish of the day.
French
De l'eau plate, s'il vous plaît
English
Still water, please
Example Sentence
De l'eau plate pour la table, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Still water for the table, please.
French
L'addition, s'il vous plaît
Example Sentence
Quand vous pourrez, l'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
When you can, the bill, please.
Example Sentence
Merci, vous êtes très aimable.
Translation
Thank you, you're very kind.
Example Sentence
Excusez-moi, oĂą sont les toilettes ?
Translation
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
English
What do you recommend?
Example Sentence
Que recommandez-vous comme vin ?
Translation
What do you recommend for wine?
Example Sentence
Merci, c'était délicieux.
Translation
Thank you, it was delicious.
Greeting and Asking for a Table
French dining starts with proper etiquette. Always greet the host or server before making any requests—it’s considered rude to launch straight into what you want without acknowledging them first.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
Translation
Good evening, sir.
French
Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît
English
A table for two, please
Example Sentence
Bonjour, une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Hello, a table for two, please.
French
Une table pour quatre, s'il vous plaît
English
A table for four, please
Example Sentence
Une table pour quatre, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
A table for four, please.
French
Avez-vous une table libre ?
English
Do you have a free table?
Example Sentence
Excusez-moi, avez-vous une table libre ?
Translation
Excuse me, do you have a free table?
English
I have a reservation
Example Sentence
Bonsoir, j'ai une réservation au nom de Smith.
Translation
Good evening, I have a reservation under the name Smith.
Translation
It's under the name Martin.
French
Est-il possible de s'asseoir dehors ?
English
Is it possible to sit outside?
Example Sentence
Est-il possible de s'asseoir dehors ? Il fait beau.
Translation
Is it possible to sit outside? The weather is nice.
French restaurants often have specific lunch (12-2 p.m.) and dinner (7-10 p.m.) hours. Arriving outside these times may result in limited service or closed kitchens.
Asking for the Menu & Understanding It
French menus have a specific structure. Understanding the sections helps you navigate like a local and avoid ordering confusion.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
French
Puis-je avoir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?
English
Could I have the menu, please?
Example Sentence
Puis-je avoir la carte, s'il vous plaît ?
Translation
Could I have the menu, please?
French
La carte des vins, s'il vous plaît
English
The wine list, please
Example Sentence
Pourriez-vous nous apporter la carte des vins, s'il vous plaît ?
Translation
Could you bring us the wine list, please?
English
What do you recommend?
Example Sentence
Que recommandez-vous comme spécialité ?
Translation
What do you recommend as a specialty?
French
Quel est le plat du jour ?
English
What is the dish of the day?
Example Sentence
Excusez-moi, quel est le plat du jour ?
Translation
Excuse me, what is the dish of the day?
French
Qu'est-ce que ça contient ?
English
What does this contain?
Example Sentence
Ce plat, qu'est-ce que ça contient exactement ?
Translation
This dish, what does it contain exactly?
Example Sentence
Le curry, c'est épicé ?
Translation
The curry, is it spicy?
French
Comment c'est préparé ?
English
How is this prepared?
Example Sentence
Le poisson, comment c'est préparé ?
Translation
The fish, how is it prepared?
French
Avez-vous une carte en anglais ?
English
Do you have an English menu?
Example Sentence
Avez-vous une carte en anglais ?
Translation
Do you have an English menu?
- Entrées = Starters/Appetizers (not main courses!)
- Plats principaux = Main courses
- Desserts = Desserts
- Fromages = Cheese course (between main and dessert)
Ordering Drinks
French dining culture places importance on choosing the right beverage to complement your meal. Water and wine are staples, but knowing how to specify your preferences is key.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
French
De l'eau plate, s'il vous plaît
English
Still water, please
Example Sentence
De l'eau plate, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Still water, please.
French
De l'eau gazeuse, s'il vous plaît
English
Sparkling water, please
Example Sentence
Je voudrais de l'eau gazeuse, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
I would like sparkling water, please.
English
A glass of red wine
Example Sentence
Un verre de vin rouge, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
A glass of red wine, please.
French
Une bouteille de vin de la maison
English
A bottle of house wine
Example Sentence
Nous prendrons une bouteille de vin de la maison.
Translation
We'll take a bottle of house wine.
Example Sentence
Une demi-bouteille de vin blanc.
Translation
Half a bottle of white wine.
French
Une bière, s'il vous plaît
Example Sentence
Une bière pression, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
A draft beer, please.
Translation
A fresh orange juice.
Example Sentence
Un café, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
A coffee, please.
French people rarely drink coffee during meals—it’s typically enjoyed after dessert. Water is never automatically brought to your table; you must request it.
Ordering Food
This is the heart of your dining experience. French servers appreciate when you take time to consider your choices rather than rushing your order.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
Example Sentence
Je voudrais le saumon grillé.
Translation
I would like the grilled salmon.
Example Sentence
Je vais prendre la soupe du jour.
Translation
I'll have the soup of the day.
French
En entrée, je vais prendre...
English
For starter, I'll have...
Example Sentence
En entrée, je vais prendre la salade.
Translation
For starter, I'll have the salad.
English
For main course...
Example Sentence
En plat principal, le bœuf bourguignon.
Translation
For main course, the beef bourguignon.
Example Sentence
La même chose pour moi, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
The same for me, please.
French
Qu'est-ce que vous suggérez ?
English
What do you suggest?
Example Sentence
Qu'est-ce que vous suggérez comme dessert ?
Translation
What do you suggest for dessert?
English
Is it served with...?
Example Sentence
C'est servi avec des légumes ?
Translation
Is it served with vegetables?
French
Puis-je l'avoir sans... ?
English
Can I have it without...?
Example Sentence
Puis-je l'avoir sans sauce ?
Translation
Can I have it without sauce?
French
À côté, s'il vous plaît
English
On the side, please
Example Sentence
La vinaigrette à côté, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
The dressing on the side, please.
Special Requests & Dietary Needs
French cuisine is traditionally rich, but restaurants increasingly accommodate dietary restrictions. Being clear about your needs ensures a better dining experience.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
Example Sentence
Je suis végétarienne. Avez-vous des plats sans viande ?
Translation
I am vegetarian. Do you have dishes without meat?
Example Sentence
Je suis végétalien. Pas de produits animaux.
Translation
I am vegan. No animal products.
French
J'ai une allergie aux/au...
English
I have an allergy to...
Example Sentence
J'ai une allergie aux fruits de mer.
Translation
I have an allergy to seafood.
French
Sans noix, s'il vous plaît
English
Without nuts, please
Example Sentence
Ce plat, sans noix, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
This dish, without nuts, please.
Example Sentence
Avez-vous des options sans gluten ?
Translation
Do you have gluten-free options?
Example Sentence
Sans produits laitiers, je suis intolérant.
Translation
Without dairy, I'm intolerant.
Example Sentence
Peu salé, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Low salt, please.
English
Is this dish spicy?
Example Sentence
Ce curry, ce plat est épicé ?
Translation
This curry, is this dish spicy?
French
Pouvez-vous le faire moins épicé ?
English
Can you make it less spicy?
Example Sentence
Pouvez-vous le faire moins épicé ?
Translation
Can you make it less spicy?
While dietary accommodations are improving, traditional French restaurants may have limited vegetarian options. Research restaurants in advance if you have strict dietary requirements.
Asking for the Bill
In France, the server will never bring your bill unless you ask. This isn’t bad service—it’s considered polite to let diners enjoy their time without pressure to leave.
French
English
Example Sentence
Translation
French
L'addition, s'il vous plaît
Example Sentence
Excusez-moi, l'addition, s'il vous plaît.
Translation
Excuse me, the bill, please.
French
Pourriez-vous apporter l'addition ?
English
Could you bring the bill?
Example Sentence
Pourriez-vous nous apporter l'addition ?
Translation
Could you bring us the bill?
Example Sentence
Nous voudrions payer maintenant.
Translation
We'd like to pay now.
English
Is service included?
Example Sentence
Le service est compris dans l'addition ?
Translation
Is service included in the bill?
French
Peut-on payer par carte ?
English
Can we pay by card?
Example Sentence
Peut-on payer par carte bancaire ?
Translation
Can we pay by credit card?
Example Sentence
Vous acceptez les cartes ou espèces seulement ?
Translation
Do you accept cards or cash only?
French
Peut-on partager l'addition ?
English
Can we split the bill?
Example Sentence
Peut-on partager l'addition en deux ?
Translation
Can we split the bill in two?
Example Sentence
VoilĂ , gardez la monnaie.
Translation
Here, keep the change.
French people appreciate when foreigners attempt to speak French, even imperfectly. Don’t be embarrassed about your accent—effort matters more than perfection.
