French menu words

The most popular French menu words explained

Common French menu words

These are some staple phrases found on a typical French menu, along with a few other ones you may encounter on your travels – better to be prepared!

L’amuse-bouche

A bite-sized hors d’oeuvre, compliments of the chef

Le beurre

Butter

Les coquilles Saint-Jacques

Scallops

Les oeufs

Eggs

Le pain

Bread

Les pâtes

Pasta – not to be confused with pâté a mousse made from liver.

Keep reading to learn about popular French menu terms for how things are cooked and some useful general purpose terms…