How to order in French at a Montreal restaurant: useful phrases

You do not need to speak French to eat well in Montreal. Most restaurant staff switch to English easily, and many will greet you with "Bonjour, hi" so you can choose. But Montreal is a French-speaking city, and starting in French, even badly, is noticed and appreciated. Here are the phrases that cover a whole meal, plus the Quebec words you will see on menus.

What should you say when you walk into a Montreal restaurant?

Start with "Bonjour" during the day or "Bonsoir" in the evening. In Montreal, a greeting is expected before anything else, whether you are at a café counter or a fine dining room. If you want to continue in English, it is fine to say "Bonjour" and then ask in English. Staff will usually follow your lead.

How do you ask for a table in French?

You want to say	In French
A table for two, please	Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît
I have a reservation	J'ai une réservation
Can we sit on the terrasse?	Est-ce qu'on peut s'asseoir sur la terrasse?
How long is the wait?	C'est combien d'attente?
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais?

What are the common words on a Quebec menu?

• Table d'hôte: a fixed-price meal with a few choices, usually a starter, a main and often dessert and coffee. Often the best value, especially at lunch.
• À la carte: dishes ordered and priced individually.
• Entrée: in Quebec, as in France, this means the starter, not the main course.
• Plat principal: the main course.
• Potage or soupe: soup, often included with a table d'hôte.
• Pour emporter: takeout.
• Apportez votre vin: bring your own wine.
• Végétarien, végane, sans gluten: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free.

How do you order food in French?

You want to say	In French
I would like...	Je voudrais...
The table d'hôte, please	La table d'hôte, s'il vous plaît
What do you recommend?	Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez?
I am allergic to nuts	Je suis allergique aux noix
Without onions, please	Sans oignons, s'il vous plaît
A glass of water, please	Un verre d'eau, s'il vous plaît
Another one, please	Un autre, s'il vous plaît

If you have an allergy, say it clearly and early, and do not rely on French alone if you are unsure you have been understood. Switching to English for an allergy is always fine.

How do you order at a café or counter?

At a counter, the question you will hear is "Pour ici ou pour emporter?", meaning "for here or to go?" Answer "pour ici" or "pour emporter". For coffee, "un café" usually means a regular coffee, "un allongé" is a longer espresso, and "un café au lait" is coffee with milk.

How do you ask for the bill in French?

In Montreal, people usually say "La facture, s'il vous plaît". You will also hear "L'addition, s'il vous plaît", which is the term used in France and is perfectly understood. If you want to split the bill, ask "On peut payer séparément?" Servers usually bring the card terminal to the table.

How does tipping work on a Quebec card terminal?

When the terminal asks about a tip, it will show "Pourboire". In Quebec, the suggested percentages on a terminal must be calculated on the amount before tax. At sit-down restaurants, 15 to 20 percent is normal. If you want to enter your own amount, choose the custom option, often labelled "Autre montant" or similar.

What other phrases are useful at a restaurant?

• Merci and merci beaucoup: thank you, thank you very much.
• C'était délicieux: it was delicious.
• Les toilettes, s'il vous plaît?: where is the washroom?
• Bonne soirée: have a good evening, the usual goodbye at night.
• Bonne journée: have a good day, the usual goodbye during the day.

Will staff mind if you do not speak French?

No. Montreal is a bilingual city in practice, and restaurant staff deal with visitors every day. Starting with "Bonjour" and a smile does most of the work. Menus are required to be available in French, but many restaurants also provide English, and staff will usually translate anything that is unclear.

Once you have eaten, Mosey lets you rate the places you ate at and the dishes you ordered, with photos, in whatever language you prefer.

More guides to read next:

• Atwater Market guide: what to buy and eat by the Lachine Canal
• Little Italy Montreal food guide: espresso, pizza and delis
• Montreal Chinatown food guide: dim sum, noodles and bakeries

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