Ordering in Paris without panic
The short script for cafés, bakeries and restaurants in Paris, with the polite words that change how people answer you.
By Mathias C.
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Ordering in Paris has a reputation, and it's the first thing most travelers learning a language want to get right. In practice, most bad experiences come down to one missing word at the start of the conversation. Get the script right and the rest is easy.
Why say "Bonjour" before ordering in French?
Walk into a café or a bakery and say "Bonjour" before anything else. Not "Hi", not straight into your order. In France, skipping the greeting reads as rude, and people react to that, not to your accent.
After 6 pm, switch to "Bonsoir". When you leave, say "Merci, bonne journée" (or "bonne soirée" in the evening).
How to order at a French café: the script
| You want to… | Say |
|---|---|
| Order | Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît. |
| A coffee with milk | Un café crème, s’il vous plaît. |
| A table for two | Une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît. |
| The bill | L’addition, s’il vous plaît. |
| Pay by card | Je peux payer par carte ? |
"Je voudrais" (I would like) is your key. It's polite, it works everywhere, and you only need to add the thing you want. If the waiter answers too fast, fall back on the phrases for when you don't understand.
How to order in French at a bakery
Point if you need to, but try: "Une baguette, s’il vous plaît" or "Deux croissants, s’il vous plaît." If the baker asks "Et avec ceci ?", they're asking "Anything else?". Answer "C’est tout, merci" (That's all, thanks).
What to do when the waiter switches from French to English
It happens a lot in Paris, often just to be helpful. If you'd like to keep practising, smile and say: "Je préfère parler français, pour pratiquer." (I'd rather speak French, to practise.) Most people are happy to slow down for you.
How to practise ordering in French before your trip
Reading a script is one thing. Saying it out loud while someone waits for you is another. Ten minutes of role play with a French tutor, playing the waiter, is the fastest way to make these lines automatic.
The whole café script fits in four lines:
- "Bonjour !" as you walk in.
- "Je voudrais un café crème, s'il vous plaît."
- "L'addition, s'il vous plaît." when you're ready to pay.
- "Merci, bonne journée !" on your way out.
More French to warm up with: see the five flip cards on our French page.
Questions about ordering in French
How do I ask for the bill in French?
Say “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” In France the waiter usually won't bring the bill until you ask for it.
What is the difference between “Bonjour” and “Bonsoir”?
“Bonjour” is used during the day, “Bonsoir” in the evening, roughly from 6 pm. Both are polite greetings for shops and restaurants.
Is “Je veux” rude when ordering?
It sounds blunt. “Je voudrais” (I would like) is the polite standard. “Je vais prendre …” (I'll have …) is also common in restaurants.
What does “Et avec ceci ?” mean?
It means “Anything else?”. Bakers and shopkeepers ask it after your first item. Answer “C’est tout, merci” if you're done.
What is a “café crème”?
An espresso with hot milk, close to a latte in a smaller cup. A plain “café” in France is an espresso.
