Eating out in French means going to a café, bistro, or restaurant and knowing the right words to order food, ask questions, and pay the bill. This guide covers the key vocabulary and common phrases you'll need.
Key Vocabulary
- Common words for places to eat
- Restaurant and menu vocabulary
- Useful verbs and expressions for ordering
- Payment and leaving vocabulary
Common Phrases
- How to greet and get a table
- Ordering food and drinks
- Asking questions about the menu
- Paying the bill and saying goodbye
Translate: Cheers! (when toasting)
À votre santé !
"À votre santé !" is a polite and common toast, meaning "To your health!"
Tips for Speaking
- Politeness: Always use s’il vous plaît and merci.
- Gender agreement: French nouns have genders (masculine/feminine) that affect articles and adjectives.
- Pronunciation: Pay attention to liaison (linking sounds) when speaking.
With these lists and tips, you’ll be ready to enjoy dining out in France with confidence!
What is liaison in French pronunciation?
Linking the final consonant of one word to the beginning vowel of the next.
Liaison means pronouncing a usually silent final consonant at the start of the following word when it begins with a vowel (e.g., *les amis* as *lez-amis*).
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
