French food is known for its variety, its sometimes complicated techniques, and its devotion to fresh, high-quality ingredients. A French restaurant menu isn’t just a list; it’s an invitation to experience something special.
Here’s what you can expect to find on a typical menu of french restaurant, from appetizers to desserts and drinks. We’ll walk you through each section, highlighting key dishes and ingredients so you’ll know what to expect.
Appetizers: Les Entrées
Cold Appetizers: A Refreshing Start
- Oysters and Shellfish (Les Huîtres): Many French restaurants feature fresh oysters and other shellfish, usually raw. Expect to pay market price, maybe $27 for six or $50 for a dozen.
- Charcuterie and Cheese Boards: A French classic with cured meats (jambon, rosette, pâté) and cheeses. A Charcuterie & Fromage platter might cost around $35.
- Salads: Lighter options like Salade Niçoise ($24), Salade Lyonnaise, and Salade Verte use fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Hot Appetizers: Warm and Flavorful
- Escargots: Snails in garlic butter – a French delicacy. Expect to pay around $19.
- Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée: French onion soup, rich and savory. Vegetarian versions are often available, maybe around $12.
- Foie Gras: A rich delicacy, usually served as a small plate for around $27.
Main Courses: Les Plats Principaux
Now, for the heart of the meal! Here’s a peek at the main courses you might find on a French restaurant’s menu. Prices are approximate and can vary widely.
Seafood: From the Sea to the Plate
- Filet de Loup de Mer: A sea bass fillet, usually prepared simply to highlight the fish’s delicate flavor. Expect to pay around $45.
- Moules Frites: Mussels and fries! This popular and satisfying dish could set you back about $29.
- Bouillabaisse: A traditional fish stew from Provence, rich and flavorful with a variety of seafood. Look for a price around $33.
- Cabillaud aux Haricots: Cod with beans, often featuring a Basque-style crust.
Meat Dishes: Hearty and Flavorful
- Steak-Frites: The quintessential bistro dish! You might also see Steak-Frites à l’Échalote on the menu, made with shallots.
- Magret de Canard au Poivre Vert: Duck breast with a green peppercorn sauce, often around $48.
- Côte de Boeuf Grillée au Romarin: A grilled ribeye steak with rosemary, often large enough to share. This one can be pricey, around $175.
- Poulet Fermier à la Rôtisserie: Roasted farm chicken, sometimes served with gratin dauphinois (scalloped potatoes). A half chicken might cost $39, a whole chicken $76.
- Boeuf Bourguignon: Beef Burgundy, that classic French stew we all know and love. Expect a price of around $42.
Vegetarian Options: Plant-Based Delights
While French cuisine is known for its rich sauces and use of butter and cream, many restaurants offer vegetarian choices.
- Vegetable-based starters: Look for salads, soups, and other vegetable-focused appetizers, often priced from $21-$23.
- Artichauts à la Barigoule: Artichokes braised in white wine with vegetables.
- Pâtes au Pistou Niçois: Pasta with Niçoise pesto.
Brunch
Weekends from 9:00am to 4:00pm, we offer a special brunch menu that combines classic breakfast and lunch options.
Classic Brunch Dishes
- Croque Monsieur/Madame: The Croque Monsieur is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. The Croque Madame is the same, but topped with a fried egg. Our Croque Madame is $22.
- Omelettes: We offer several omelet choices, including Omelette Lyonnaise au Fromage et Champignons and Omelet Vegetables for $20.
- Quiche: Try our savory quiche, filled with your choice of vegetables or meat. Quiche Vegetable and Quiche Paysanne are both $15.
- Crêpes: Choose from sweet or savory crêpes. Our Crêpe Jambon Fromage is $17.
- Les Oeufs: Enjoy Eggs Florentine or Oeufs Brouillés à la Truffe Noire.
Other popular brunch items
- Avocado Toast ($18)
- Mixed Berry French Toast ($19)
Les Desserts
No French meal is complete without a classic dessert. We offer a variety of options to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Classic French Desserts
- Crème brûlée: A rich custard base topped with a brittle caramelized sugar crust. ($15)
- Mousse au Chocolat: A light and airy chocolate mousse. ($14)
- Tarte aux Pommes: A comforting and classic apple tart.
- Profiteroles: Small, hollow choux pastries filled with cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
- Gâteau Chocolat aux 3 Ganaches: A decadent chocolate cake with three layers of ganache.
Ice Cream and Sorbets
If you want something a little lighter, try one of our refreshing ice creams or sorbets.
Libations: Drinks Menu
No French meal is complete without the perfect drink to accompany it. Here’s what you can typically expect on a French restaurant’s drinks menu:
Wine: A Curated Selection
French restaurants pride themselves on their extensive wine lists. These are usually categorized by type, such as red, white, rosé, and sparkling, and then further broken down by region, like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley.
You’ll usually be able to order wines by the glass or by the bottle, with prices that vary depending on the vintage and the producer. For example, you might see a Chardonnay Louis Latour Grand Ardèche for $16 a glass or $64 a bottle, a Pinot Noir Burgundy Louis Jadot for $14 a glass or $56 a bottle, or a crisp Sancerre J. de Villebois for $22 a glass or $88 a bottle.
Don’t forget dessert wines like Sauternes! A Sauternes 2019 Chateau Laribotte might be offered for $15 a glass or $45 a bottle.
Cocktails: Classic and Creative
Beyond wine, many French restaurants offer a selection of classic cocktails, alongside their own signature creations. You might find a Kir Royal for $15, a French 75 for $15, or a Pear Martini for $16.
Other Beverages
For beer drinkers, expect options like Kronenbourg 1664 and maybe a local craft brew like Sloop Brewing’s “Juice Bomb” Hazy IPA.
Coffee is a must, with choices like a regular Cafe Maison for $4.30, a French Press for $5.50, or a shot of Espresso for $3.50. Of course, tea is also available for around $4.
Digestifs
To finish your meal, consider a digestif like Cognac Ansac, Cognac Grande Champagne Pierre Ferrand 1er Cru, Cognac Hennessy VSOP, Armagnac Loujan aged 20 years, Calvados Chateau du Breuil VSOP, or a classic Grand Marnier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main meals in French cuisine?
French cuisine revolves around three main meals: breakfast (le petit déjeuner), lunch (le déjeuner), and dinner (le dîner). Breakfast is typically light, often consisting of coffee, bread, and pastries. Lunch and dinner are more substantial, with multiple courses that could include an appetizer, main dish, salad, and dessert.
What is typically served at a French restaurant?
A French restaurant typically serves classic dishes like coq au vin (chicken braised in wine), boeuf bourguignon (beef stew), French onion soup, escargots (snails), and crème brûlée. Expect a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and sophisticated sauces. Wine is also an integral part of the French dining experience.
What is on a typical French menu?
A typical French menu is often structured into several courses. You might see hors d’oeuvres (appetizers), entrées (starters), plats principaux (main courses), salades (salads), fromages (cheeses), and desserts. Dishes are often described in French, so it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with common culinary terms. Classic examples include steak frites, ratatouille, and soufflé, depending on the season and restaurant.
Final Thoughts
A thoughtfully designed French restaurant menu isn’t just a list of dishes; it’s an invitation to a delightful culinary journey, showcasing the incredible range and depth of French cooking. Whether you’re craving a classic like boeuf bourguignon or something new and inventive, a good French menu has something for everyone.
Knowing how a French menu is structured and understanding the common elements can make your dining experience even more enjoyable, allowing you to fully appreciate the artistry and skill that goes into each dish. From appetizers to desserts and drinks, exploring the menu is an essential part of the French dining experience.