Bonjour !
[bohn-zhoor]Hello!
Always greet before asking a question.Speak at the table · France
French
Polite French goes a long way. Begin with bonjour, use s’il vous plaît, and make eye contact when you ask for the bill.
Restaurant survival kit
Eight phrases that do the work
Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît.
[ewn tah-bluh poor duh, seel voo pleh]A table for two, please.
On arrival.Je voudrais…
[zhuh voo-dreh]I would like…
A natural, polite way to order.Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ?
[kes-ku voo ruh-ko-mon-day]What do you recommend?
For the server’s suggestion.Sans…, s’il vous plaît.
[sahn… seel voo pleh]Without…, please.
For an ingredient you do not want.L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
[lah-dee-syohn, seel voo pleh]The bill, please.
The usual way to request the check.C’était délicieux.
[say-teh day-lee-syuh]It was delicious.
A warm compliment.Merci, au revoir !
[mehr-see, oh ruh-vwahr]Thank you, goodbye!
When leaving.Frequent culinary words
Read the menu with confidence
Watch out
entrée
starter / appetizer
plat
main dish
dessert
dessert
du jour
of the day
fait maison
homemade
grillé
grilled
rôti
roasted
poêlé
pan-seared
Watch out
saignant
rare (meat)
à point
medium (meat)
bien cuit
well done
pichet
carafe / small pitcher
eau plate
still water
eau gazeuse
sparkling water
compris
included
service compris
service included
The one rule