GidePass Lens · Paris
Paris menu translator: understand French dishes and order with confidence
You have found a Paris bistro, but the menu is only in French. Start by separating the courses, understand what the dish is and keep its French name ready to show the waiter.
GidePass ·
Five words that make the menu easier to read
- Entrées
- Starters. In France, an entrée is the first course, not the main course that the word can mean in American English.
- Plats
- Main courses. Look here for the central dish of your meal.
- Desserts
- Desserts. Check whether they are individually priced or included in your chosen set menu.
- Formule
- A set-meal offer. Read the particular combination: starter and main, main and dessert, or another stated selection.
- Plat du jour
- The dish of the day. Ask what it is and how much it costs if the board does not say.
Read the course headings before translating every dish
Decide whether you want a single main course or a set meal. A formula’s printed combination matters more than the heading alone. If it says entrée + plat, do not assume dessert is included as well. Compare the dishes and any supplements before choosing. Keep the French name beside the translation so you can find the same line again.
Understand the dish rather than guessing from its name
A literal translation can leave out what matters to your choice: a hot sandwich, a gratin topping or a particular sauce. The examples below explain three familiar Paris menu names. They describe common preparations, not the recipe of the restaurant in front of you. Ask about fillings, stock and sauces when those details affect what you want to eat.
Ask what the formule includes
Check the exact course combination, drink, coffee and any supplement. A lunch offer should not be assumed to apply at dinner or on another day. Look at the restaurant’s current menu and serving times before you sit down. Paris Tourism recommends checking menus and prices when planning a restaurant visit; this guide does not quote restaurant prices or promise a citywide budget.
Turn the French name into a simple order
Choose the item and point to its original name. “Je voudrais…” is a polite way to say you would like something. If you are unsure what it contains, ask before confirming. Keep the question and the order separate: showing a translated dish name does not tell the kitchen about an allergy or a requested change.
Try Lens with the prepared French-menu example
The GidePass Lens demo already uses a prepared French menu. Open a dish explanation, add a dish and show the sample order in French. It needs no photo upload, account or card and does not run an AI scan. Standalone Lens currently has an English interface. Paris is one of its six pilot destinations; check the current coverage, price and limits on the product page before purchasing. New photo analyses need internet.
Ask for the bill and check the order
“L’addition, s’il vous plaît” means “The bill, please”. Check the items and quantities against what you ordered. If a line is unfamiliar, point to it and ask the waiter to explain it. This guide helps with menu language and questions; it does not provide restaurant reservations, a Paris walking pass or an assurance about ingredients and cross-contact.
Five French phrases to keep on your phone
- Bonjour. La carte, s’il vous plaît.
- Hello. The menu, please.
- Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans ce plat ?
- What is in this dish?
- La formule comprend-elle une boisson ?
- Does the set meal include a drink?
- Je voudrais une soupe à l’oignon, s’il vous plaît.
- I would like an onion soup, please.
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
- The bill, please.