Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît.
When ordering food and drinks in Paris, consider these general tips to enhance your experience. Begin by acknowledging with a friendly “Bonjour” and adopting a relaxed pace; meals are meant to be savored. Embrace local customs like saying “S’il vous plaît” and “Merci” for politeness. Don’t rush; dining is an unhurried affair. Familiarize yourself with the menu, and if unsure, don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations. Specify dietary preferences and allergies clearly. Understand that the French appreciate respectful interactions. Enjoy the diverse culinary offerings, from classic bistros to quaint cafés. Lastly, savor the moment, immerse yourself in the ambiance, and relish the unique flavors of Parisian cuisine. Here are some common French food ordering phases an English speaking tourist needs to know when on a trip to Paris France, how to pronounce them in French and what they mean:
- La carte, s’il vous plaît (lah kart, seel voo pleh) – The menu, please
- Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît (ewn tahbl poor du, seel voo pleh) – A table for two, please
- Je voudrais réserver une table (zhuh voo-dray ray-zair-vay ewn tahbl) – I would like to reserve a table
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît (lad-diss-yon, seel voo pleh) – The check, please
- Avez-vous des recommandations ? (ah-veh voo day rah-koh-mahn-dah-syon) – Do you have any recommendations?
- Quelle est la spécialité de la maison ? (kell eh lah spay-syah-lee-tay duh lah mey-zohn) – What is the house specialty?
- Je suis végétarien(ne) (zhuh swee vey-zhay-tah-ree-ehn/ehn) – I am vegetarian
- Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? (kest kuh voo rah-koh-mahn-day) – What do you recommend?
- C’est délicieux (say day-lee-syu) – It’s delicious
- Je prends… (zhuh prahn) – I’ll have…
- Bien cuit (byen kwee) – Well-done (for meat)
- Saignant (say-nyahn) – Rare (for meat)
- À point (ah pwah) – Medium (for meat)
- Entrée (ahn-tray) – Starter
- Plat principal (plah prahn-seepahl) – Main course
- Dessert (day-zair) – Dessert
- Boisson (bwah-son) – Drink
- Vin rouge (vahn roozh) – Red wine
- Vin blanc (vahn blahn) – White wine
- L’eau plate (loh plaht) – Still water
- L’eau gazeuse (loh gaz-uhz) – Sparkling water
- Café (ka-fay) – Coffee
- Thé (tay) – Tea
- Pouvez-vous m’apporter… ? (poo-veh voo mah-por-tay) – Can you bring me…?
- C’est l’heure du déjeuner (say luh-ruh duh day-zhuh-nay) – It’s lunchtime
- C’est l’heure du dîner (say luh-ruh duh dee-nay) – It’s dinnertime
- Est-ce que le service est compris ? (ess-kuh luh sair-vees eh kohm-pree) – Is the service included?
- L’apéritif (lah-pay-ree-teef) – Aperitif
- Une bouteille de vin rouge/blanc (ewn boot-ehl duh vahn roozh/blahn) – A bottle of red/white wine
- Je suis allergique à… (zhuh swee zhal-er-zheek ah) – I am allergic to…
These phrases will help you navigate menus and enjoy the diverse and delicious culinary offerings in Paris.