Learning a new language can be fun, and one of the first things you might want to know is how to say common words. One important word you’ll need when traveling or dining out in France is “restaurant.” Knowing how to say it in French will help you feel more confident when you’re looking for a place to eat or talking about food with locals.
In this article, we’ll explore how to say “restaurant” in French, and we’ll also give you other ways to say it. Plus, we’ll show you how to respond when someone mentions a restaurant. By the end, you’ll be ready to practice and use these words in real-life situations! Let’s get started.
Ways to Say “Restaurant” in French
Here are the different ways to say “restaurant” in French, with their English pronunciation and examples of how to use them. Each term might refer to a specific type of restaurant or dining place, so knowing these can help you understand the local dining culture better.
1. Restaurant
Pronunciation: /res-toh-rahn/
Meaning: The most common and direct way to say “restaurant” in French. It refers to a place where you can eat meals, similar to the English word.
In a Sentence:
- “Je vais au restaurant ce soir.” (I am going to the restaurant tonight.)
- “Le restaurant est très bon.” (The restaurant is very good.)
2. Bistrot
Pronunciation: /bees-troh/
Meaning: A small, informal restaurant or café, often offering traditional French food. It has a cozy, casual atmosphere.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons mangé dans un bistrot à Paris.” (We ate in a bistro in Paris.)
- “Ce bistrot sert des plats délicieux.” (This bistro serves delicious dishes.)
3. Brasserie
Pronunciation: /braz-uh-ree/
Meaning: A type of restaurant, usually larger than a bistro, that serves hearty meals and beer. It’s often open all day, serving both casual meals and drinks.
In a Sentence:
- “Il y a une brasserie près de la gare.” (There is a brewery near the train station.)
- “J’aime aller à la brasserie pour un déjeuner rapide.” (I like to go to the brasserie for a quick lunch.)
4. Café
Pronunciation: /kah-fay/
Meaning: While the word “café” is often used for a coffee shop, it can also refer to a small restaurant or dining place, especially in France.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai pris un café au café du coin.” (I had a coffee at the café on the corner.)
- “Ce café sert aussi des croissants.” (This café also serves croissants.)
5. Cantine
Pronunciation: /kahn-teen/
Meaning: A canteen, often referring to a cafeteria in schools, offices, or factories. It’s a more casual or institutional term for a place to eat.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons déjeuné à la cantine de l’école.” (We had lunch at the school cafeteria.)
- “La cantine offre des repas à petit prix.” (The canteen offers affordable meals.)
6. Traiteur
Pronunciation: /tray-tur/
Meaning: This word refers to a catering service or a place where prepared meals are sold for takeout. It’s not necessarily a sit-down restaurant.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai acheté des plats au traiteur.” (I bought some dishes at the catering shop.)
- “Le traiteur prépare des repas de fête.” (The caterer prepares meals for parties.)
7. Resto
Pronunciation: /res-toh/
Meaning: An informal, shortened version of “restaurant” that is commonly used in spoken French.
In a Sentence:
- “Tu veux aller au resto ce soir?” (Do you want to go to the restaurant tonight?)
- “Ce resto a une ambiance sympa.” (This restaurant has a nice atmosphere.)
8. Le Relais
Pronunciation: /luh ruh-lay/
Meaning: A term used for a roadside restaurant or inn, typically located in rural areas, often serving hearty meals.
In a Sentence:
- “Le Relais sur l’autoroute est parfait pour une pause déjeuner.” (The inn on the highway is perfect for a lunch break.)
- “Nous avons mangé au Relais du village.” (We ate at the village inn.)
9. Pizzeria
Pronunciation: /pee-tsee-air-uh/
Meaning: A place that serves pizza, and sometimes other Italian dishes. It’s a type of restaurant specializing in pizzas.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous allons à la pizzeria ce soir.” (We’re going to the pizzeria tonight.)
- “La pizzeria est pleine de monde.” (The pizzeria is crowded.)
10. Steakhouse
Pronunciation: /stehk-haus/
Meaning: A restaurant specializing in steak and other grilled meats.
In a Sentence:
- “J’adore le steakhouse près de chez moi.” (I love the steakhouse near my house.)
- “Le steakhouse sert d’excellents steaks.” (The steakhouse serves excellent steaks.)
11. Rôtisserie
Pronunciation: /roh-tees-ree/
Meaning: A place that specializes in roasted meats, especially chicken.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons acheté un poulet rôti à la rôtisserie.” (We bought a roast chicken at the rotisserie.)
- “La rôtisserie du coin est excellente.” (The local rotisserie is excellent.)
12. Salon de thé
Pronunciation: /sa-lohn duh tay/
Meaning: A tea room or café that serves tea, pastries, and light snacks. It’s a quiet place to relax.
In a Sentence:
- “Je vais au salon de thé pour un goûter.” (I’m going to the tea room for a snack.)
- “Le salon de thé est parfait pour une pause café.” (The tea room is perfect for a coffee break.)
13. Food truck
Pronunciation: /food trʌk/
Meaning: A mobile restaurant that serves food from a truck, typically offering fast food or street food.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai mangé dans un food truck près du parc.” (I ate at a food truck near the park.)
- “Le food truck vend des tacos délicieux.” (The food truck sells delicious tacos.)
14. Friterie
Pronunciation: /free-teh-ree/
Meaning: A place that specializes in fries (French fries), often found in Belgium or Northern France.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons mangé des frites à la friterie.” (We ate fries at the fry shop.)
- “La friterie sert des frites avec de la sauce.” (The fry shop serves fries with sauce.)
15. Pâtisserie
Pronunciation: /pa-tees-ree/
Meaning: A pastry shop, often a place that also serves light meals and desserts.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai acheté une tarte aux pommes à la pâtisserie.” (I bought an apple tart at the pastry shop.)
- “La pâtisserie a de délicieuses viennoiseries.” (The pastry shop has delicious croissants.)
16. Crêperie
Pronunciation: /kreh-peh-ree/
Meaning: A restaurant that specializes in crêpes, a traditional French dish made with thin pancakes.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous allons à la crêperie pour le dîner.” (We’re going to the crêperie for dinner.)
- “La crêperie a des crêpes sucrées et salées.” (The crêperie has sweet and savory crêpes.)
17. Chocolaterie
Pronunciation: /sho-koh-la-treh/
Meaning: A chocolate shop, often with a café atmosphere, where you can buy and eat chocolates.
In a Sentence:
- “Elle a acheté des bonbons à la chocolaterie.” (She bought candy at the chocolate shop.)
- “La chocolaterie propose des chocolats artisanaux.” (The chocolate shop offers handmade chocolates.)
18. Auberge
Pronunciation: /oh-behrzh/
Meaning: An inn or a small hotel that also serves meals, often in rural areas.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons passé la nuit à l’auberge.” (We spent the night at the inn.)
- “L’auberge sert une cuisine traditionnelle.” (The inn serves traditional cuisine.)
19. Pizzeria Napolitaine
Pronunciation: /pee-tsee-air-uh nah-poh-lee-tehn/
Meaning: A Neapolitan-style pizzeria that serves authentic pizza from Naples, Italy.
In a Sentence:
- “Je vais à la pizzeria napolitaine pour un dîner italien.” (I’m going to the Neapolitan pizzeria for an Italian dinner.)
- “La pizzeria napolitaine sert de la pizza avec des ingrédients frais.” (The Neapolitan pizzeria serves pizza with fresh ingredients.)
20. Bar à vin
Pronunciation: /bar ah vehn/
Meaning: A wine bar, often a small, casual place where you can taste different wines, often paired with small plates of food.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous allons au bar à vin ce soir.” (We are going to the wine bar tonight.)
- “Le bar à vin a une large sélection de vins.” (The wine bar has a large selection of wines.)
21. Resto U
Pronunciation: /res-toh u/
Meaning: A university cafeteria, where students usually go to eat affordable meals.
In a Sentence:
- “Je mange tous les midis au Resto U.” (I eat every day at the university cafeteria.)
- “Le Resto U offre des plats sains.” (The university cafeteria offers healthy meals.)
22. Table d’hôte
Pronunciation: /tah-bluh dote/
Meaning: A type of meal at a small restaurant, often a fixed menu with several courses.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons réservé une table d’hôte pour ce soir.” (We reserved a fixed-menu table for tonight.)
- “La table d’hôte propose un menu du jour.” (The table d’hôte offers a daily special.)
23. Restauration rapide
Pronunciation: /res-toh-rah-syon rah-peed/
Meaning: Fast food restaurant, where you can get quick, inexpensive meals.
In a Sentence:
- “Je vais manger à la restauration rapide.” (I’m going to eat at the fast food restaurant.)
- “La restauration rapide est idéale pour un déjeuner rapide.” (The fast food restaurant is ideal for a quick lunch.)
24. Fouquet’s
Pronunciation: /foo-kehts/
Meaning: A famous, upscale restaurant in Paris, known for high-end dining.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai dîné au Fouquet’s lors de mon voyage à Paris.” (I dined at Fouquet’s during my trip to Paris.)
- “Le Fouquet’s est un restaurant de luxe.” (Fouquet’s is a luxury restaurant.)
25. Marché
Pronunciation: /mahr-shay/
Meaning: While a “marché” is primarily a market, many markets in France have food stalls or dining areas where you can eat freshly prepared meals.
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons mangé dans un stand de crêpes au marché.” (We ate at a crepe stand at the market.)
- “Le marché offre des produits frais à manger.” (The market offers fresh produce to eat.)
26. Boulangerie
Pronunciation: /boo-lahn-zhuh-ree/
Meaning: A bakery, which can sometimes offer sandwiches, quiches, and light meals.
In a Sentence:
- “Je prends mon déjeuner à la boulangerie.” (I’m having my lunch at the bakery.)
- “La boulangerie a des sandwichs frais.” (The bakery has fresh sandwiches.)
27. Kebab
Pronunciation: /keh-bahb/
Meaning: A type of restaurant serving kebabs, a popular fast-food option in many parts of France.
In a Sentence:
- “J’ai mangé un kebab au kebab du coin.” (I ate a kebab at the local kebab shop.)
- “Le kebab a une longue file d’attente.” (The kebab shop has a long line.)
Other Ways to Say “Restaurant” in French
Below is a markdown table with 15 additional ways to say “restaurant” in French. These terms refer to different types of dining establishments, ranging from casual to formal, and can be used in various contexts depending on the type of restaurant you’re talking about.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Bistrot | /bees-troh/ | A small, informal restaurant or café, often offering traditional French food. | “Nous avons mangé dans un bistrot à Paris.” (We ate in a bistro in Paris.) “Ce bistrot sert des plats délicieux.” (This bistro serves delicious dishes.) |
| Brasserie | /braz-uh-ree/ | A larger, more casual restaurant serving hearty meals and drinks. | “Il y a une brasserie près de la gare.” (There is a brewery near the train station.) “J’aime aller à la brasserie pour un déjeuner rapide.” (I like to go to the brasserie for a quick lunch.) |
| Café | /kah-fay/ | A small restaurant or coffee shop, often serving light meals and drinks. | “J’ai pris un café au café du coin.” (I had a coffee at the café on the corner.) “Ce café sert aussi des croissants.” (This café also serves croissants.) |
| Cantine | /kahn-teen/ | A cafeteria, usually in schools or workplaces, offering inexpensive meals. | “Nous avons déjeuné à la cantine de l’école.” (We had lunch at the school cafeteria.) “La cantine offre des repas à petit prix.” (The canteen offers affordable meals.) |
| Traiteur | /tray-tur/ | A catering service or shop that sells prepared meals for takeout. | “J’ai acheté des plats au traiteur.” (I bought some dishes at the catering shop.) “Le traiteur prépare des repas de fête.” (The caterer prepares meals for parties.) |
| Resto | /res-toh/ | A casual, shortened version of “restaurant” used in informal French. | “Tu veux aller au resto ce soir?” (Do you want to go to the restaurant tonight?) “Ce resto a une ambiance sympa.” (This restaurant has a nice atmosphere.) |
| Le Relais | /luh ruh-lay/ | A roadside restaurant or inn, often in rural areas. | “Le Relais sur l’autoroute est parfait pour une pause déjeuner.” (The inn on the highway is perfect for a lunch break.) “Nous avons mangé au Relais du village.” (We ate at the village inn.) |
| Pizzeria | /pee-tsee-air-uh/ | A restaurant that specializes in pizza, often also serving other Italian dishes. | “Nous allons à la pizzeria ce soir.” (We’re going to the pizzeria tonight.) “La pizzeria est pleine de monde.” (The pizzeria is crowded.) |
| Steakhouse | /stehk-haus/ | A restaurant specializing in steaks and grilled meats. | “J’adore le steakhouse près de chez moi.” (I love the steakhouse near my house.) “Le steakhouse sert d’excellents steaks.” (The steakhouse serves excellent steaks.) |
| Rôtisserie | /roh-tees-ree/ | A place specializing in roasted meats, particularly chicken. | “Nous avons acheté un poulet rôti à la rôtisserie.” (We bought a roast chicken at the rotisserie.) “La rôtisserie du coin est excellente.” (The local rotisserie is excellent.) |
| Salon de thé | /sa-lohn duh tay/ | A tea room or café that serves tea, pastries, and light snacks. | “Je vais au salon de thé pour un goûter.” (I’m going to the tea room for a snack.) “Le salon de thé est parfait pour une pause café.” (The tea room is perfect for a coffee break.) |
| Food truck | /food trʌk/ | A mobile restaurant offering fast food or street food. | “J’ai mangé dans un food truck près du parc.” (I ate at a food truck near the park.) “Le food truck vend des tacos délicieux.” (The food truck sells delicious tacos.) |
| Friterie | /free-teh-ree/ | A place that specializes in fries (French fries), typically found in Belgium or Northern France. | “Nous avons mangé des frites à la friterie.” (We ate fries at the fry shop.) “La friterie sert des frites avec de la sauce.” (The fry shop serves fries with sauce.) |
| Crêperie | /kreh-peh-ree/ | A restaurant specializing in crêpes, a type of thin pancake. | “Nous allons à la crêperie pour le dîner.” (We’re going to the crêperie for dinner.) “La crêperie a des crêpes sucrées et salées.” (The crêperie has sweet and savory crêpes.) |
| Chocolaterie | /sho-koh-la-treh/ | A chocolate shop, often with a café atmosphere, where you can buy and eat chocolates. | “Elle a acheté des bonbons à la chocolaterie.” (She bought candy at the chocolate shop.) “La chocolaterie propose des chocolats artisanaux.” (The chocolate shop offers handmade chocolates.) |
Response to “Restaurant” in French
When someone mentions a restaurant in French, it’s important to know how to respond appropriately. Here are some common ways to respond when you hear the word “restaurant,” whether you’re agreeing, asking for more details, or making plans.
1. “C’est une bonne idée !”
Pronunciation: /say ewn bawn ee-day/
Meaning: “That’s a good idea!”
In a Sentence:
- “Tu veux aller au restaurant ce soir ?” (Do you want to go to the restaurant tonight?)
- “C’est une bonne idée !” (That’s a good idea!)
2. “J’adore ce restaurant !”
Pronunciation: /jah-dor suh res-toh-rahnt/
Meaning: “I love this restaurant!”
In a Sentence:
- “Ce restaurant sert de la nourriture délicieuse.” (This restaurant serves delicious food.)
- “J’adore ce restaurant !” (I love this restaurant!)
3. “Quel type de cuisine servent-ils ?”
Pronunciation: /kel teep duh kwee-zeen ser-ven-teel/
Meaning: “What type of cuisine do they serve?”
In a Sentence:
- “Tu veux aller à un nouveau restaurant ?” (Do you want to go to a new restaurant?)
- “Quel type de cuisine servent-ils ?” (What type of cuisine do they serve?)
4. “Où se trouve ce restaurant ?”
Pronunciation: /oo suh troov suh res-toh-rahnt/
Meaning: “Where is this restaurant?”
In a Sentence:
- “Nous allons au restaurant ce soir.” (We’re going to the restaurant tonight.)
- “Où se trouve ce restaurant ?” (Where is this restaurant?)
5. “J’aimerais y aller.”
Pronunciation: /zhay-meh-ray ee ah-lay/
Meaning: “I would like to go there.”
In a Sentence:
- “Tu veux aller au restaurant ce soir ?” (Do you want to go to the restaurant tonight?)
- “J’aimerais y aller.” (I would like to go there.)
6. “Est-ce que ce restaurant est cher ?”
Pronunciation: /es kuh suh res-toh-rahnt eh shair/
Meaning: “Is this restaurant expensive?”
In a Sentence:
- “Ce restaurant est super !” (This restaurant is great!)
- “Est-ce que ce restaurant est cher ?” (Is this restaurant expensive?)
7. “Je préfère les restaurants à emporter.”
Pronunciation: /zhuh preh-fehr lay res-toh-rahnt ah ahm-por-tay/
Meaning: “I prefer takeout restaurants.”
In a Sentence:
- “On mange au restaurant ce soir ?” (We’re eating at the restaurant tonight?)
- “Je préfère les restaurants à emporter.” (I prefer takeout restaurants.)
8. “C’est un excellent choix !”
Pronunciation: /say tuh ex-say-lahn shwah/
Meaning: “That’s an excellent choice!”
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons décidé d’aller au restaurant italien.” (We decided to go to the Italian restaurant.)
- “C’est un excellent choix !” (That’s an excellent choice!)
9. “Je suis végétarien(ne), ils ont des options sans viande ?”
Pronunciation: /zhuh swee veh-zhay-tar-yen, eelz ohn dayz op-syon sahn vyahnd/
Meaning: “I’m vegetarian, do they have options without meat?”
In a Sentence:
- “Ce restaurant a-t-il des plats végétariens ?” (Does this restaurant have vegetarian dishes?)
- “Je suis végétarien(ne), ils ont des options sans viande ?” (I’m vegetarian, do they have options without meat?)
10. “On peut réserver une table ?”
Pronunciation: /on puh ray-zay-vay ewn tah-bluh/
Meaning: “Can we reserve a table?”
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons trouvé un restaurant parfait.” (We found a perfect restaurant.)
- “On peut réserver une table ?” (Can we reserve a table?)
11. “Je préfère manger à la maison.”
Pronunciation: /zhuh preh-fehr mahn-zhay ah lah meh-zon/
Meaning: “I prefer to eat at home.”
In a Sentence:
- “On va au restaurant ce soir ?” (We’re going to the restaurant tonight?)
- “Je préfère manger à la maison.” (I prefer to eat at home.)
12. “Avez-vous des menus spéciaux ?”
Pronunciation: /ah-vay voo day meh-noo speh-syo/
Meaning: “Do you have special menus?”
In a Sentence:
- “Le restaurant a-t-il des réductions aujourd’hui ?” (Does the restaurant have discounts today?)
- “Avez-vous des menus spéciaux ?” (Do you have special menus?)
13. “Est-ce que ce restaurant est ouvert tard ?”
Pronunciation: /es kuh suh res-toh-rahnt eh too-veh air tahr/
Meaning: “Is this restaurant open late?”
In a Sentence:
- “Nous avons prévu de dîner au restaurant.” (We plan to dine at the restaurant.)
- “Est-ce que ce restaurant est ouvert tard ?” (Is this restaurant open late?)
14. “J’ai entendu parler de ce restaurant.”
Pronunciation: /zhay ahn-tahn-duh par-lay duh suh res-toh-rahnt/
Meaning: “I’ve heard about this restaurant.”
In a Sentence:
- “Ce restaurant est très connu.” (This restaurant is very well-known.)
- “J’ai entendu parler de ce restaurant.” (I’ve heard about this restaurant.)
15. “Je n’aime pas ce restaurant.”
Pronunciation: /zhuh nem pah suh res-toh-rahnt/
Meaning: “I don’t like this restaurant.”
In a Sentence:
- “Ce restaurant n’a pas de bonnes critiques.” (This restaurant has bad reviews.)
- “Je n’aime pas ce restaurant.” (I don’t like this restaurant.)
Exercise to Practice Success “Restaurant”
Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises in French using the ways to say “restaurant” from earlier sections. After each exercise, you’ll find the answers, along with their English translations, to help you practice.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Je vais à la __________ pour dîner ce soir.
(I’m going to the __________ for dinner tonight.) - Nous avons mangé dans un __________ à Paris.
(We ate in a __________ in Paris.) - Ce __________ sert des pizzas délicieuses.
(This __________ serves delicious pizzas.) - J’ai mangé un sandwich dans un __________ près de la gare.
(I ate a sandwich in a __________ near the train station.) - Ce __________ offre des menus végétariens.
(This __________ offers vegetarian menus.) - Nous avons réservé une table dans un __________ chic.
(We reserved a table in a fancy __________.) - Le __________ sert de la nourriture rapide à emporter.
(The __________ serves fast food for takeout.) - J’adore aller à la __________ pour un café.
(I love going to the __________ for a coffee.) - Il y a une __________ où l’on peut goûter des crêpes.
(There is a __________ where you can taste crêpes.) - Nous allons manger dans une __________ ce soir.
(We’re going to eat in a __________ tonight.) - Je préfère manger dans un __________ plutôt qu’un grand restaurant.
(I prefer eating in a __________ rather than a big restaurant.) - Le __________ de la rue sert des plats locaux.
(The __________ on the street serves local dishes.)
Answers
- restaurant
(I’m going to the restaurant for dinner tonight.) - bistrot
(We ate in a bistrot in Paris.) - pizzeria
(This pizzeria serves delicious pizzas.) - café
(I ate a sandwich in a café near the train station.) - brasserie
(This brasserie offers vegetarian menus.) - restaurant
(We reserved a table in a fancy restaurant.) - restauration rapide
(The restauration rapide serves fast food for takeout.) - salon de thé
(I love going to the salon de thé for a coffee.) - crêperie
(There is a crêperie where you can taste crêpes.) - restaurant
(We’re going to eat in a restaurant tonight.) - bistrot
(I prefer eating in a bistrot rather than a big restaurant.) - relais
(The relais on the street serves local dishes.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “restaurant” in French opens the door to many different dining experiences. From casual cafés and bistros to fine dining and fast food, French has various terms to describe places where you can enjoy a meal. Each term gives you a glimpse into the type of food, atmosphere, and experience you can expect at these establishments.
By practicing the different ways to say “restaurant” and using them in sentences, you can expand your vocabulary and feel more confident when ordering food, making plans, or discussing dining options in French. Remember, responding to conversations about restaurants is just as important as knowing the words, so practicing how to respond appropriately will help you engage more naturally with French speakers.
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll feel at ease when talking about restaurants in French, whether you’re at home or on a trip!