Restaurant Etiquette
Choosing and Entering
Selecting a Restaurant: - Avoid tourist traps near major monuments - Look for handwritten menus (often means fresh ingredients) - Observe where locals eat - Check posted menus and prices before entering - Respect meal service times (see below)
Upon Entering: 1. Always greet with "Bonjour/Bonsoir" 2. Wait to be seated unless signs indicate otherwise 3. Don't move tables without asking 4. Acknowledge the staff's greeting
Service Timing and Expectations
French restaurant service follows different rhythms than many countries. What visitors might perceive as "slow" is actually respectful—your table is yours for the evening.
Typical Service Flow: - Seating: Immediate or short wait - Menu delivery: Within minutes - Order taking: After you've had time to decide (close menu to signal readiness) - Courses: Properly spaced for digestion - Check: Only when requested
What's Changing: Faster Options
While traditional service remains standard, urban areas increasingly offer "bistronomie" (casual fine dining) and international options with quicker service. Food halls and neo-bistros cater to modern schedules while maintaining quality standards.Ordering Essentials
The Server Dynamic: - Servers are professionals, not your friends - They won't introduce themselves or hover - Eye contact or a discrete "s'il vous plaît" gets attention - They're knowledgeable—ask for recommendations - Tipping is not required but small amounts appreciated
Menu Navigation: - Formule/Menu: Set price for multiple courses (best value) - À la carte: Individual items (more expensive) - Plat du jour: Daily special (often excellent) - Entrée: Starter (not main course as in US) - Plat: Main course - Prix fixe: Set price menu - Supplément: Extra charge
Inclusive Tip: Dietary Accommodations
French restaurants increasingly accommodate dietary needs, though options vary. When making reservations, mention restrictions. Key phrases: - "Je suis végétarien(ne)/végane" - "Je suis allergique à..." (I'm allergic to...) - "Sans gluten, s'il vous plaît" - "Halal/Casher" (availability varies significantly)Many restaurants now mark vegetarian/vegan options, and larger cities have dedicated restaurants for various dietary needs.
Wine and Beverage Etiquette
Wine Ordering: - House wine (vin de maison) is usually decent - Ask for recommendations within your budget - Tasting before accepting is normal - Don't fill glasses to the brim - Women's glasses traditionally filled first
Other Beverages: - Water isn't automatically served—request it - "Une carafe d'eau" for tap water (free) - Bottle water if preferred (charged) - Coffee after dessert, never with meals - Soft drinks viewed as children's beverages
Table Manners in Restaurants
Essential Rules: - Keep hands visible (wrists on table edge) - Wait for "Bon appétit" before starting - Cut food with knife, eat with fork in left hand - Don't switch fork hands American-style - Bread on table, not plate - Break bread, don't bite it - Use bread to push food onto fork - Pace yourself with others - Place cutlery parallel when finished
Never: - Put elbows on table - Use phone during meals - Ask for doggy bags (though this is slowly changing) - Salt before tasting - Cut salad leaves (fold them) - Eat with hands (except specific foods)
Paying the Check
L'Addition Protocol: - You must request the check—it won't appear automatically - Catch server's eye and make writing gesture or say "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" - Splitting checks isn't standard—work it out among yourselves - Pay at table unless directed to counter - Round up for tips (5-10% maximum)