How to Order at a Restaurant in France - Like a Local!

How to Order at a Restaurant in France Like a Local

If you're heading to Paris, Versailles, or anywhere in France, one of the best parts of your trip will be the food.

But for many visitors, the idea of ordering at a French restaurant can feel intimidating, especially if you’re visiting for the first time or haven’t quite mastered the language.

The language barrier, local customs, and the famously fast-paced waiters at Parisian brasseries might leave you wondering: am I doing this right?

Fear not—this guide will give you the confidence to order like a local, avoid common faux pas, and even impress your server with your politeness and ease.

At Boutique Tours, our team of friendly guides are locals and language-savvy travellers who help guests navigate the ins and outs of French culture every day. In fact, our tips on how to order food and drink in French tend to go viral on Instagram!

In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to order at a French restaurant—whether you’re dining at a traditional Parisian restaurant, grabbing a quick lunch at a brasserie, or sipping coffee at a café, this post will walk you through exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to sound effortlessly French.

And if you're eager to practice your French in real life, come join one of our Paris Bike Tours or Versailles Food & Palace Tours, where we’ll help you experience the real France—with croissants, confidence, and cultural know-how.

Step One: Always Start with "Bonjour"

Before anything else, greet your server. French etiquette values politeness, and a simple "Bonjour" (hello) goes a long way. If it’s the evening, you can say "Bonsoir" (good evening).

Failing to say bonjour can be seen as rude, and it sets the tone for your interaction. You don’t need to launch into full sentences—just a warm, clear greeting is the perfect start.

Step Two: Choose the Right Way to Order

French has multiple ways to order food, depending on the formality of the setting. Let’s break down your options from most formal to most casual:

1. ✅ Most Common: Je vais prendre

A bit more casual but still very polite, "Je vais prendre…" means "I'll have."

It’s incredibly common and widely accepted:

• Je vais prendre une quiche, s’il vous plaît. (I’ll have a quiche, please.)
• Je vais prendre un verre de vin rouge. (I’ll have a glass of red wine.)

This is the most popular phrase used in brasseries, cafés, and casual restaurants. It's polite, natural, and used by locals all the time. It’s less formal than “je voudrais” but still polite enough for most settings.

📌 Example:
Je vais prendre une quiche, s’il vous plaît.
(I’ll have a quiche, please.)

Also works perfectly for drinks or set menus:
Je vais prendre le menu du jour, s’il vous plaît.

2. ✅ Polite and Classic: Je voudrais

This phrase strikes a nice balance between polite and approachable. Great for sit-down restaurants and cafés.

“Je voudrais…”
(I would like…)

Example: Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.

This is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear from tourists and locals alike. It’s polite, classic, and ideal for sit-down restaurants or cafés.

If you want to sound polite and classic, the phrase "Je voudrais…" (I would like…) is your best bet.

For example:

• Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. (I would like a coffee, please.)
• Je voudrais le boeuf bourguignon, s’il vous plaît. (I would like the beef bourguignon, please.)

This phrase is slightly formal and well-suited for sit-down restaurants where you’re likely to take your time.

3. 🕊️ Formal and Ultra Polite: Je pourrais avoir

Want to go the extra mile in courtesy? Try "Je pourrais avoir…" which means "May I have..."

For example:

• Je pourrais avoir le menu, s’il vous plaît? (May I have the menu, please?)

This phrase is less common in daily usage because it’s a bit longer and more formal, but it’s great in high-end restaurants—or if you’re trying to make a good impression.

“Je pourrais avoir…”
(May I have…)

Example: Je pourrais avoir le boeuf bourguignon, s’il vous plaît ?

This is the ultra-polite form of ordering and might be used at a fine dining restaurant or if you’re trying to make a great impression. It’s grammatically perfect and translates to “Could I have…” This version is more formal and grammatically polished, though less common in everyday settings. It might be a bit over the top for casual spots, but you’ll rarely go wrong being too polite in France!

4. ⚡ Fast & Friendly (for Brasseries or Cafés): Just the Dish Name + "S’il vous plaît"

If you’re at a fast-paced café or brasserie, where waiters are darting between tables, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep things short and sweet.

Just say the item + “s’il vous plaît”

Example: Un croque monsieur, s’il vous plaît.

Just say the name of the dish, followed by "s’il vous plaît":

• Un croque-monsieur, s’il vous plaît.
• Un café crème, s’il vous plaît.

This is the go-to style for quick lunches or crowded bistros where efficiency is key.

In fast-paced environments like brasseries or busy cafés, it’s totally acceptable to simply say the name of the dish followed by s’il vous plaît. The key here is tone—be respectful, and say it with a smile. Perfect for quick lunches, casual cafés, and busy brasseries. Keep it short and respectful.

❌ What Not to Say: “Je veux”

While "Je veux" translates to "I want," it can come across as too direct—even rude—in a French restaurant. French culture generally values subtlety and politeness in speech, especially when asking for something.

🚫 Instead of: Je veux un steak.
✅ Say: Je vais prendre un steak, s’il vous plaît.

So instead of "Je veux un steak," opt for the more refined "Je vais prendre un steak, s’il vous plaît."

Other Useful Restaurant Phrases

• La carte, s’il vous plaît. — The menu, please.
• Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? — What do you recommend?
• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. — The bill, please.
• C’était délicieux, merci. — That was delicious, thank you.
• Est-ce que je pourrais avoir de l’eau ? — Could I have some water?

The Follow-Up: How to Respond at the End of a Meal

At the end of your meal, your server may ask:

• "Tout s’est bien passé ?" – Did everything go well?
• "C’était bon ?" – Was it good?

The best responses?

• Très bien, merci ! — Very good, thank you!
• C’était délicieux ! — It was delicious!
• Parfait ! — Perfect!

Politeness at the end of the meal is just as important as at the beginning. And of course, don't forget to say "merci" before you leave!

Bonus Tips for Dining in France

📝 Menus aren’t automatically brought. Ask for one with “La carte, s’il vous plaît.”
💰 Tipping is optional. Service is included, but rounding up is appreciated.
⌛ The bill won’t come until you ask. Say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” when you're ready.

Dining Like a Local: Insider Tips from Boutique Tours

If you want to blend in even more, here are a few insider tips from our guides here at Boutique Tours:

• Don't rush. Meals in France are meant to be enjoyed and savoured slowly. The check won’t come until you ask for it.
• Don’t expect substitutions. Most French restaurants stick to their set menu items. It’s best not to ask for extra sauce, dressing on the side, or major changes to your dish.
• Try the prix fixe menu. This fixed-price option is often the best deal and a great way to try a starter, main, and dessert, especially as an authentic experience.
• Tipping is optional. A service charge is already included in the bill, but rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated if service was good. This is more an American custom.

Ready to practice your French skills IRL? Our Versailles day trips include food recommendations and optional lunch stops where you can try out your new vocabulary with friendly locals.

Quick Recap: 5 Ways to Order in France

1. Je voudrais – I would like… (polite)
2. Je vais prendre – I’ll have… (common)
3. [Dish name], s’il vous plaît – (casual, great for cafés)
4. Je pourrais avoir… ? – May I have…? (ultra polite)
5. Avoid "Je veux" – Too direct

Book a Tour & Order Like a Local

Ready to dine like a Parisian and explore France like a pro? Book your spot on one of our tours today:

👉 Versailles Food & Palace Tour – Taste, learn, and explore the iconic chateau and village market.
👉 Paris Early Morning Bike Tour – Ride through quiet streets, past landmarks, and enjoy a croissant with a view.

Follow us on Instagram or YouTube for more local tips, reels, and language guides—and come experience the real France with us!