What does maison mean on a French menu?

Maison means made in house, and it is one of the most useful words on a French menu. A soupe maison, a pâté maison or a dessert maison was made in the kitchen. If a menu uses it often, the kitchen is probably cooking from scratch.

What does entrée mean on a menu in Quebec?

In Quebec, entrée means a starter, not a main dish. The main dish is the plat principal. This differs from some North American English usage, where entrée means the main course, so check before you order two mains by mistake.

How can I keep track of dishes I try when the menu is in French?

Mosey is a food app for rating dishes by name and sharing lists with friends. In Gatineau, rate each dish by its French name, add tags, keep a list with notes in either language and follow friends to see what they rate.

How do I say I have a nut allergy in French?

Say j'ai une allergie aux noix, which means I have an allergy to nuts, and ask what the kitchen can do. For peanuts, say arachides. Learn the words for your allergen in advance, and always confirm with the kitchen. No phrase replaces a clear conversation.

Will staff speak English in Gatineau?

Often, yes. Staff in Gatineau are used to visitors and usually switch to English when asked, though the level varies. A few French words, said politely, make the exchange warmer, and a photo of the menu helps with detail.

How to

French Menus in Gatineau: A Visitor’s Glossary

Mosey · November 11, 2026 · 5 min read

French menus in Gatineau are easier to read than they look, because a small set of words does most of the work. Most kitchens print French first, and staff usually switch to English when asked, but a short glossary helps with dietary questions. Learn the words below, a few polite phrases and a simple way to rate a dish in either language.

What are the most useful words on French menus in Gatineau?

Start with six. "Maison" means made in house. "Du jour" means of the day. "Entrée" means a starter, not a main, which surprises many visitors. "Plat principal" is the main dish. "Dessert" is the same as in English. "Menu du midi" is a lunch set menu, often with a soup. Learn these and you can read the structure of most menus.

What do the menu words maison and du jour tell you?

The menu words maison du jour are a good guide to a kitchen. A dish marked maison was made in the kitchen, such as a soup, a pastry or a sauce. A soupe du jour and a plat du jour change daily, so ask what they are. A kitchen with a real plat du jour is cooking from what it has. Order it when you cannot decide, and write its name in your notes.

How do you describe a meal in a French menu glossary?

A short French menu glossary covers the cooking words you meet: "grillé" is grilled, "rôti" is roasted, "braisé" is braised, "frit" is fried, "fumé" is smoked and "mijoté" is slow cooked. "Sauce brune" is brown gravy and "fromage en grains" is cheese curds. "Érable" is maple. You do not need to memorize them, but a photo of this list on your phone will help.

Which Gatineau dietary words are worth knowing?

The Gatineau dietary words to know are "sans gluten" for gluten-free, "végétarien" for vegetarian, "végétalien" for vegan, "sans produits laitiers" for dairy-free and "noix" for nuts. "Arachides" means peanuts. "Fruits de mer" means shellfish. "Allergie" is allergy. Say "j'ai une allergie aux noix" for I have a nut allergy, and ask the kitchen what it can do. No tag or list can promise a safe meal.

How do you ask in French in Gatineau?

Polite phrases go a long way. "Bonjour" and "merci" start and end an exchange. "Qu'est-ce que vous recommandez?" asks what the person recommends. "Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dedans?" asks what is in it. "Est-ce que c'est fait maison?" asks if it is made in house. A smile and an attempt are always welcome, and most people will help with English if you need it.

How do you rate a dish when the menu is in French?

Write the dish name in French exactly as printed, because that is how the next person will see it. In the Mosey app only the place and the stars are needed, and you can rate each dish too and add a tag such as Quick Service or Bakery. If you are unsure of the name, take a photo of the menu. Add a line in English or French about what you liked, and tag a friend you ate with so they can add their own rating.

How can a list help with a multilingual trip?

Make a list called Gatineau, with notes in whichever language you like, and add each place you want to try. Invite a friend with a link and they can add places too. Sections such as café, lunch and sugar shack keep it organized. Follow friends to see what they have rated and saved in the Friends' picks layer under Explore the map. A list is a good place to keep the French names of dishes you liked.

Mosey is free for a place to list, with no hidden fees for the place.

Why does the language of a menu matter?

A menu is a small window into a kitchen. A short French menu with daily specials suggests that the kitchen cooks from what it has, and a long bilingual one may serve a wider range of visitors. Neither is better. Reading the language, even a little, helps you notice details such as the cooking method and the sauce, and it makes the exchange with staff warmer.

What if you cannot read the handwriting on a board?

Chalkboards and handwritten specials are common, and they change daily, so they are the hardest to read. Ask the server to read them aloud or point at the line you do not understand. Many staff enjoy explaining a dish, and a short conversation can lead to a recommendation. Take a photo of the board for later, since you may want to find the dish again. If you still cannot work it out, ask what is most popular and order that. Across the province, the guide to finding good food in Quebec City shares the same words.

Whatever the language, a friendly attitude and a little patience make the meal better for everyone at the table.

What should you read next?

The guide to finding good food in Gatineau gives a walker's method, the guide to Quebec comfort foods explains the classic dishes and the Quebec City ramen guide shows another menu to read. The Canadian food guides cover the country.

When a menu word surprises you, open the Mosey app and rate the dish by its French name.

Questions

Common questions

What does maison mean on a French menu?
Maison means made in house, and it is one of the most useful words on a French menu. A soupe maison, a pâté maison or a dessert maison was made in the kitchen. If a menu uses it often, the kitchen is probably cooking from scratch.
What does entrée mean on a menu in Quebec?
In Quebec, entrée means a starter, not a main dish. The main dish is the plat principal. This differs from some North American English usage, where entrée means the main course, so check before you order two mains by mistake.
How can I keep track of dishes I try when the menu is in French?
Mosey is a food app for rating dishes by name and sharing lists with friends. In Gatineau, rate each dish by its French name, add tags, keep a list with notes in either language and follow friends to see what they rate.
How do I say I have a nut allergy in French?
Say j'ai une allergie aux noix, which means I have an allergy to nuts, and ask what the kitchen can do. For peanuts, say arachides. Learn the words for your allergen in advance, and always confirm with the kitchen. No phrase replaces a clear conversation.
Will staff speak English in Gatineau?
Often, yes. Staff in Gatineau are used to visitors and usually switch to English when asked, though the level varies. A few French words, said politely, make the exchange warmer, and a photo of the menu helps with detail.