Learn French Fast: 10 French Phrases to use in a restaurant

When you travel in France one of the great pleasures is to eat out in a restaurant. Below you will find 10 useful phrases in French, with their English translations, and an explanation of when you would use them. You can also click on the link at the bottom of this page to go to a page with a podcast with these phrases so you can hear them spoken by a native French speaker. Follow along and practice. Learn basic French fast with these useful phrases.

• L'addition s'il vous plait?
• May I have the bill please?
• In France the bill is not given to you because you have finished eating, you must ask for the bill.

• Avez-vous une table s'il vous plait?
• Do you have a table please?
• In France reservations are often required at dinner time. If you don't have a reservation you can ask with this phrase.

• J'ai une reservation pour deux(2) sous le nom de Jones.
• I have a reservation for 2 under the name of Jones.
• It is a good idea to make reservations for dinner before you go. Tell the host at the restaurant if you have a reservation, otherwise they may ignore you. If you are staying at a hotel the concierge may be able to reserve for you.

• Nous prendrons deux (2) menus à quinze (15) euros.
• We'll take 2 15 Euro fixed price meals.
• At dinner time there are often more than one style of fixed price menu so be specific about the exact one you want.

• Nous commandons à la carte.
• We will order à la carte.
• If you don't want one of the menus you cannot usually substitute so you will have to order à la carte. The menu is usually much cheaper so look for a menu you will like.

• Deux (2) cafés avec le dessert s'il vous plait.
• 2 coffees with the dessert please.
• Typically your menu will include a dessert but not coffee. You can order coffee but it will not come with coffee. If you want the coffee to come with your dessert you must ask for it. Otherwise your coffee will come after the dessert.

• Une bouteille de vin s'il vous plait.
• A bottle of wine please.
• If you would like to order wine by the bottle just ask and the server will bring the wine list.

• Un pichet de vin s'il vous plait.
• A pitcher of wine please.
• Most restaurants will serve inexpensive wine by the pitcher, half pitcher or quarter pitcher. This is a good option if you are trying to save money but would like some wine.

• Quel-ce qu'est le plat du jour aujourd'hui?
• What is the special of today?
• Generally there will be "one" special dish of the day. Often the fixed price menu will only include the plat du jour as the main course. If it sounds good order the menu, it will be cheaper.

• Qu'est-ce que la recommendation de la chef?
• What does the chef recommend?
• If you don't know what to order ask what the chef recommends. In "better" restaurants this is common.

• PODCASTS ARE COMING SOON, CHECK TOMORROW!

We plan on continuing with this series. We will cover other situations and add more phrases in each catergory. Are there more restaurant phrases you would like to know. Add the phrase in English in the comments below and we'll create a new Hub to address your questions. Join our fan club to see when new Hubs are written.