Welcome to France !
Land of Cheese, Wine… and Menu Panic
Imagine this: You’ve landed in Paris, starving and full of hope. You spot a charming bistro, walk in confidently, and then-bam-you freeze. The menu looks like a poetic riddle written by a hungry philosopher.
Don’t worry, Cremefrench is here to save your stomach and your dignity.
Here are 10 must-know French food phrases that will make you sound (almost) like a local-and avoid accidentally ordering goat brains (yes, it’s happened).
1. “Je voudrais…” – The Magical Phrase
Translation: I would like…
Forget “je veux.” You’re not giving orders at a castle. “Je voudrais” is your polite golden ticket to croissants and Camembert.
💡 Pro tip: Say it with a little smile. French servers respond well to charm—not shouting.
2. “Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ?” – Trust the Chef
Translation: What do you recommend?
Because when in doubt, let the locals guide you. Especially if the menu has zero pictures and 100% mystery meats.
3. “C’est quoi, ‘saumon en croûte de sel’ ?” – Decode the Menu
Translation: What is “saumon en croûte de sel”?
Essential when facing dishes like andouillette (spoiler: not for the faint of heart).
4. “Un café, s’il vous plaît.” – The French Fuel
Translation: A coffee, please.
Just remember: un café means espresso. If you want something closer to a Starbucks-size lake, ask for un café allongé. (Still tiny.)
5. “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” – When It’s Time to Flee Gracefully
Translation: The bill, please.
No, it won’t magically appear unless you ask. French waiters won’t rush you. Ever. Possibly never.
6. “Je suis allergique à…” – Stay Alive, Please
Translation: I’m allergic to…
Fill in the blank with les noix (nuts), le gluten, or la vie parisienne (just kidding).
7. “Sans…” – Go Light (or Lactose-Free)
Translation: Without…
Examples: sans fromage, sans gluten, sans culpabilité (without guilt… because, hey, you’re on vacation).
8. “C’était délicieux !” – Make the Chef Smile
Translation: It was delicious!
Even if you didn’t love the escargots, this phrase earns you French brownie points.
9. “À emporter” – When You Just Can’t Finish That Tart
Translation: To go / Takeaway
Rare, but not impossible in France. Especially if you bat your lashes just right.
10. “Santé !” – Cheers!
Translation: Health!
Say it before sipping that Bordeaux. Otherwise, you’re just drinking. Like a tourist.
🧀 Bonus: Don't Panic If They Answer in French
You may say something perfect… and get a flood of rapid French back. Smile. Nod. Maybe laugh awkwardly.
Then repeat: “Pardon, je suis débutant(e). Parlez-vous anglais ?”
They’ll appreciate the effort. And probably switch to English. Or slower French.
Conclusion: You Can Speak French (and Eat Well Doing It)
France is a foodie’s paradise, but knowing a few key phrases can turn panic au menu into panache au resto.
Want to learn more fun, practical French with culture, food, and flair?
👉 Try a Cremefrench class — no boring grammar drills, just real-life French with a side of humor.