{"id":15536,"date":"2019-11-14T10:00:16","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T10:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devourparisfoodtours.com\/?p=3014"},"modified":"2019-11-14T10:00:16","modified_gmt":"2019-11-14T10:00:16","slug":"ordering-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Navigate a Meal in France, from Choosing the Restaurant to Tipping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With a caf\u00e9 on every corner, Paris is a prime location for gastronomic delights, whether you\u2019re grabbing a quick bite, settling in for a three-course meal, or sampling Michelin-star tasting menus. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t speak French, however, restaurant menus might prove more confusing than your local spot at home. Luckily, the reality of the French dining experience is less intimidating than it might seem! Here are some of our top tips for ordering in France that will help you feel practically Parisian yourself once you master them.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n

Choosing a Restaurant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First things first: where to eat? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not next to the closest monument. While there are occasional exceptions to this rule, the restaurants you\u2019ll find crowded around major tourist attractions tend to be more about tourism and convenience rather than quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opt for a more local spot by avoiding restaurants with flag bunting or greeters waiting to entice you inside. Sometimes this is a matter of walking just a couple blocks away from the tourist attraction you\u2019re visiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now what? French eateries  can be advertised as caf\u00e9s, bistros<\/a>, bouillons<\/a>, brasseries, or restaurants.Take a look at prices and dishes to determine the best fit for your dining experience. Caf\u00e9s tend to offer more casual snacking options like croque monsieur<\/a>, while bouillons offer traditional French fare at affordable prices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"When
Enjoying French onion soup at one of our favorite Paris bistros, Les Philosophes!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Time to Eat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that Europeans tend to eat slightly later than their North American counterparts, but the French keep it pretty reasonable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some restaurants advertise service contenu<\/em>, or nonstop kitchen service, many restaurants take a break between meals. Lunch service tends to run from 12\u20133 p.m., while dinner runs from 7 p.m. to around 11 p.m. Dinner service tends to get crowded around 8 p.m., when most French people grab a table, so it can be helpful to reserve ahead if your heart is set on a specific restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seems simple, right? Don\u2019t forget that most restaurants advertise opening and closing times using a 24-hour clock. That means you\u2019ll see that lunch service runs from 12h\u201315h, while dinner runs from 19h\u201323h. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Traditional
Don’t miss out on Paris’ abundance of fabulous food because you showed up too early!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Navigating a French Menu in Paris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

French menus will be divided by course, typically entr\u00e9e, plat<\/em> and dessert. There may also be sections for main course salads, casual snacks like croque monsieur and planches<\/em>, or sharing plates of cheese and charcuterie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re after a multi-course feast, look for the restaurant\u2019s menu offer. The menu prix fixe<\/em> is often the best deal available, offering combinations of entr\u00e9e + plat<\/em>, plat<\/em> + dessert or all three for a set price. The only downside to this menu can be its limited options, but many restaurants offer a range of dishes for guests to choose from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First things first: decide what you\u2019d like to drink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

French menus often separate aperitifs from the cocktail, wine and digestif options. If you\u2019re feeling festive, opt for a Kir or Kir Royal<\/a>. Made from either white wine or champagne and blackcurrant liqueur, this classic French aperitif makes for a great way to start things off before ordering wine with your main meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next up, take a look at the wine menu. While French wine menus can be complex, ground yourself by starting with the basics. Decide whether you\u2019re interested in a rouge<\/em>, blanc<\/em> or ros\u00e9 and determine whether you\u2019re after a glass, carafe or bottle to share. If you\u2019d prefer a glass of water, ask your server for a carafe d\u2019eau<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"When
Wine is an essential part of any French meal!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Appetizers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

French appetizers tend to be portioned for the individual, rather than massive sharing platters. Traditional options range include oeuf mayonnaise<\/em> (hardboiled eggs coated in homemade mayonnaise), tartare d\u2019avocat et crevettes<\/em> (avocado and shrimp tartare), escargot (six or 12 snails cooked in butter and garlic) and terrine de campagne<\/em> (a rustic meat pat\u00e9). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This
If you’ve never had snails in Paris, don’t knock them till you’ve tried them\u2014we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

French food has a reputation for rich sauces, deep flavors, and attention to presentation\u2014and we\u2019re not complaining. Luckily, portions are smaller, making it possible to enjoy a rich three-course meal.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

French mains, or plats<\/em>, include hearty fare heavy on meats and cheeses. Try dishes like boeuf bourguignon<\/a>, parmentier<\/em> (a casserole dish combining flavored beef topped by a layer of creamy mashed potatoes) flavorful magret de canard au miel<\/em> (honey-saut\u00e9ed duck), bouillabaisse (fish stew from Provence)<\/em> and boeuf tartare. <\/em>Trust us, you won\u2019t even miss the more familiar options like pastas and burgers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interested in a substitution? Skip it. While casual restaurants can be more open to making small changes, many restaurants resent requests to alter dishes as presented on the menu. (After all, why mess with perfection?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dessert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surprised to see cheeses listed alongside dessert? The French traditionally eat cheese at the end, rather than the beginning of the meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not feeling a cheese sampler after a series of savory plates? Sample one of the sweet classics like cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e, mousse au chocolat<\/em> or tarte citron. <\/em>For something different, try \u00eele flottante<\/em>, a meringue floating on cr\u00e8me anglaise<\/em>, or clafoutis<\/em>, a baked, flan-like cake studded with sour cherries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ending your meal with an espresso is common, though not obligatory\u2014especially if you\u2019re not looking for an additional burst of caffeine before bedtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ending
Save room for dessert: a perfectly caramelized cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e always hits the spot.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tipping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To tip or not to tip? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it as a gesture, rather than a strict obligation. Tax and service charges are rolled into the price of your meal. If your bill says \u20ac40\u200e, you\u2019re welcome to leave \u20ac40\u200e without feeling guilty. Offering a few euros as a reward for good service will never go amiss, but tipping culture isn\u2019t ingrained in France. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re paying by credit or debit card, there won\u2019t be an option to add a tip. Rather, if you\u2019re inspired to reward your server for going the extra mile, leave a couple of euros at your table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want to get an even more exclusive look at the ins and outs of French food culture? Our Ultimate Paris Food Tour<\/a> is calling your name. Join us for a morning full of foodie fun in the Marais, where we’ll devour some of France’s most emblematic bites at the places that do them best. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With a caf\u00e9 on every corner, Paris is a prime location for gastronomic delights, whether you\u2019re grabbing a quick bite, settling in for a three-course meal, or sampling Michelin-star tasting menus.  If you don\u2019t speak French, however, restaurant menus might prove more confusing than your local spot at home. Luckily, the reality of the French […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":15539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1329,1330],"tags":[1346,1404,1340,104],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDevour Tours<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Navigate a Meal Like a Local in Paris\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When it comes to ordering in France, perfect French pronunciation alone isn't all you need. Check out these local tips to navigate a meal like a Parisian.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15536\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Devour Tours\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DevourToursCo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Lauren Sarazen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/ordering-in-france-paris-food-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@devourtours\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Lauren Sarazen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/\",\"name\":\"Ordering in France: 8 Things You Need to Know - Devour Paris\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/653c14cd93ea88267113124519f89936\"},\"description\":\"When it comes to ordering in France, perfect French pronunciation alone isn't all you need. Check out these local tips to navigate a meal like a Parisian.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Navigate a Meal in France, from Choosing the Restaurant to Tipping\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/\",\"name\":\"Devour Tours\",\"description\":\"Food & Drink Tours In Europe & USA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/653c14cd93ea88267113124519f89936\",\"name\":\"Lauren Sarazen\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/0.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\/\/0.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Lauren Sarazen\"},\"url\":\"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/author\/lauren-sarazen\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Devour Tours","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Navigate a Meal Like a Local in Paris","og_description":"When it comes to ordering in France, perfect French pronunciation alone isn't all you need. Check out these local tips to navigate a meal like a Parisian.","og_url":"dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15536","og_site_name":"Devour Tours","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DevourToursCo\/","article_published_time":"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00","author":"Lauren Sarazen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_image":"http:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/ordering-in-france-paris-food-1.jpg","twitter_creator":"@devourtours","twitter_site":"@devourtours","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Lauren Sarazen","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/","url":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/","name":"Ordering in France: 8 Things You Need to Know - Devour Paris","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00","dateModified":"2019-11-14T10:00:16+00:00","author":{"@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/653c14cd93ea88267113124519f89936"},"description":"When it comes to ordering in France, perfect French pronunciation alone isn't all you need. Check out these local tips to navigate a meal like a Parisian.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/ordering-in-france\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Navigate a Meal in France, from Choosing the Restaurant to Tipping"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#website","url":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/","name":"Devour Tours","description":"Food & Drink Tours In Europe & USA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/653c14cd93ea88267113124519f89936","name":"Lauren Sarazen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"http:\/\/0.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"http:\/\/0.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Lauren Sarazen"},"url":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/author\/lauren-sarazen\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15536"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15536\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}