French cuisine is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. From the humblest baguette to the most elaborate multi-course meal, food in France is treated with reverence and care. Understanding food vocabulary and dining customs is essential for any visitor who wants to fully experience French culture. Whether you're ordering a simple croque-monsieur at a cafe or navigating a formal dinner menu, this lesson will prepare you for delicious adventures.
France's culinary traditions vary by region, with each area boasting its own specialties. What remains constant is the emphasis on quality ingredients, proper technique, and the pleasure of sharing a meal. Let's explore the vocabulary and customs that will help you savor every bite.
Understanding French Menus
French menus follow a traditional structure, and understanding the sections will help you order with confidence. Most restaurants offer either a la carte ordering or set menus (formules) that offer better value.
Menu Sections
les entrees
lay zahn-TRAY
starters / appetizers
les plats principaux
lay plah pran-see-POH
main courses
les accompagnements
lay zah-kohm-pahn-yuh-MAHN
side dishes
les fromages
lay froh-MAHZH
cheeses (course before dessert)
les desserts
lay day-SEHR
desserts
la carte des vins
lah kahrt day VAN
the wine list
le menu / la formule
luh muh-NU / lah fohr-MUL
set menu / fixed-price meal
le plat du jour
luh plah du ZHOOR
dish of the day
Menu Tip
In French, "entree" means starter, not main course as in English. The main course is "le plat principal." A "formule" typically offers two courses (often entree + plat or plat + dessert) at a fixed price, while a "menu" usually includes three courses. These are almost always better value than ordering a la carte.
Classic French Dishes
Knowing the names and descriptions of classic French dishes will help you navigate menus and discover new favorites.
Traditional Favorites
le coq au vin
luh kohk oh VAN
chicken braised in red wine
le boeuf bourguignon
luh buhf boor-gee-NYOHN
beef stew in Burgundy wine
le cassoulet
luh kah-soo-LAY
bean and meat casserole
le confit de canard
luh kohn-FEE duh kah-NAHR
duck confit
la quiche lorraine
lah keesh loh-REHN
savory tart with bacon and cheese
les moules-frites
lay mool FREET
mussels with fries
la ratatouille
lah rah-tah-TOO-ee
vegetable stew from Provence
la bouillabaisse
lah boo-yah-BEHS
Provencal fish stew
Everyday Foods
le steak-frites
luh stek FREET
steak with french fries
le croque-monsieur
luh krohk muh-SYUH
grilled ham and cheese sandwich
le croque-madame
luh krohk mah-DAHM
croque-monsieur with egg on top
la soupe a l'oignon
lah soop ah lohn-YOHN
French onion soup
la salade nicoise
lah sah-LAHD nee-SWAHZ
Nice-style salad with tuna
l'omelette
lohm-LET
omelet
Ordering at a Restaurant
Server:Bonsoir. Vous avez reserve? (Good evening. Do you have a reservation?)
Guest:Oui, au nom de Martin, pour deux personnes. (Yes, under Martin, for two people.)
Server:Parfait. Suivez-moi. Voici la carte. Je vous laisse choisir. (Perfect. Follow me. Here's the menu. I'll let you choose.)
Guest:Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez? (What do you recommend?)
Server:Le plat du jour est excellent, c'est du saumon grille avec des legumes de saison. (The dish of the day is excellent, it's grilled salmon with seasonal vegetables.)
Guest:Parfait, je prends ca. Et pour commencer, la soupe a l'oignon. (Perfect, I'll have that. And to start, the onion soup.)
Useful Restaurant Phrases
Une table pour deux, s'il vous plait.
un TAHB-luh poor DUH seel voo PLEH
A table for two, please.
Je voudrais reserver pour ce soir.
zhuh voo-DREH ray-zehr-VAY poor suh SWAHR
I'd like to make a reservation for tonight.
Je suis allergique aux noix.
zhuh swee ah-lehr-ZHEEK oh NWAH
I'm allergic to nuts.
C'est quoi exactement?
say kwah eg-zahk-tuh-MAHN
What exactly is it?
L'addition, s'il vous plait.
lah-dee-SYOHN seel voo PLEH
The bill, please.
French Wine Basics
Wine is an integral part of French dining culture. While becoming a wine expert takes years, knowing a few basics will help you navigate wine lists and order with confidence.
Wine Vocabulary
le vin rouge
luh van ROOZH
red wine
le vin blanc
luh van BLAHN
white wine
le vin rose
luh van roh-ZAY
rose wine
le champagne
luh shahm-PAHN-yuh
champagne
une bouteille
un boo-TAY
a bottle
un verre
uhn VEHR
a glass
une carafe
un kah-RAHF
a carafe / pitcher
le vin de la maison
luh van duh lah may-ZOHN
house wine
Wine Tip
Don't be intimidated by French wine lists. If you're unsure, ask for "une carafe de vin rouge de la maison" (a carafe of house red). House wine in France is usually excellent and affordable. Wine regions like Bordeaux, Bourgogne (Burgundy), and Cotes du Rhone each have distinctive styles.
Bakery and Pastry
The French bakery is a daily ritual for most French people. Understanding bakery vocabulary will help you enjoy fresh bread and irresistible pastries throughout your trip.
At the Boulangerie
la baguette
lah bah-GET
French bread loaf
le pain de campagne
luh pan duh kahm-PAHN-yuh
country bread
le croissant
luh kwah-SAHN
croissant
le pain au chocolat
luh pan oh shoh-koh-LAH
chocolate croissant
le chausson aux pommes
luh shoh-SOHN oh POHM
apple turnover
la brioche
lah bree-OHSH
sweet butter bread
Patisserie Favorites
le macaron
luh mah-kah-ROHN
macaron (meringue cookie)
l'eclair
lay-KLEHR
eclair
le mille-feuille
luh meel-FUH-yuh
Napoleon pastry
la tarte aux fruits
lah tahrt oh FRWEE
fruit tart
la creme brulee
lah krehm bru-LAY
creme brulee
le gateau au chocolat
luh gah-TOH oh shoh-koh-LAH
chocolate cake
French Cheese
France produces over 400 types of cheese, and a cheese course is a traditional part of French dining. The cheese course comes after the main course and before dessert.
le camembert
luh kah-mahm-BEHR
soft, creamy cheese from Normandy
le brie
luh BREE
soft cheese with white rind
le roquefort
luh rohk-FOHR
blue sheep's milk cheese
le comte
luh kohn-TAY
hard cheese from Jura
le chevre
luh SHEV-ruh
goat cheese
le plateau de fromages
luh plah-TOH duh froh-MAHZH
cheese platter
Dining Etiquette
French Dining Customs
Bread goes directly on the table, not on your plate. Keep your hands visible during the meal (wrists on the table edge). Say "Bon appetit" before eating. Don't ask for butter with bread (except at breakfast). Service is included, but rounding up or leaving a few euros for excellent service is appreciated. Meals are leisurely affairs, so don't rush.
Quick Reference: Food Vocabulary
le poulet
luh poo-LAY
chicken
le boeuf
luh BUHF
beef
le poisson
luh pwah-SOHN
fish
les legumes
lay lay-GUM
vegetables
les fruits de mer
lay frwee duh MEHR
seafood
vegetarien(ne)
vay-zhay-tah-RYEHN
vegetarian
French cuisine is one of life's great pleasures, and knowing the vocabulary will help you appreciate it fully. Don't hesitate to ask questions about dishes, request recommendations, and try regional specialties. In the next lesson, we'll explore the lavender fields and charming villages of Provence, where the food reflects the Mediterranean sunshine.