French for Foodies: What to Say at the Market, Bakery, and Restaurant

May 14

Are you planning a culinary trip to France—or simply love food and want to learn how to navigate French markets, bakeries, and restaurants like a local? Whether you're strolling through a bustling farmer’s market in Provence or sipping espresso at a Parisian café, speaking French adds a whole new layer of flavor to the experience.

In this foodie-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to say in French when you’re buying fresh produce, ordering that perfect croissant, or enjoying a multi-course meal. And if you're based in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco, you're in the perfect spot to begin your French-learning journey with Polyglottist Language Academy.

Let’s dig in—bon appétit!

Why Learn Food French?
At the Market: Speaking with Farmers
At the Bakery (La Boulangerie): Ordering Bread and Pastries
At the Restaurant: Navigating the Menu Like a Pro
Pronunciation Tips for Food Words
French Food Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Cultural Etiquette When Ordering in France
Tips for Practicing Food French in the Bay Area
Final Thoughts: Savoring French Through Food
More Language + Culture Resources

1. Why Learn Food French?

Food is the heart of French culture. Knowing how to interact politely, ask for ingredients, and describe what you like doesn’t just make you a better traveler—it earns respect. In the markets of Marseille or the cheese shops of Bordeaux, a warm Bonjour can go a long way.

Food is a doorway to French identity, history, and everyday conversation. When you know the names of cheeses, pastries, and kitchen tools in French, you’re not just learning vocabulary—you’re learning how the French live, eat, and think.

And for foodies living in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco, where gourmet markets and French-style bakeries abound, using French can enrich your daily life right here at home. From weekend farmers markets in Berkeley to Mission District boulangeries, you'll find plenty of opportunities to use your French.

2. At the Market: Speaking with Farmers

French markets are lively, colorful, and full of opportunity to chat with locals. Here’s what you might need:

Basic Phrases

Bonjour, je peux regarder ? – Hello, can I take a look?
Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?
Je voudrais un kilo de pommes, s’il vous plaît. – I’d like a kilo of apples, please.
Est-ce que c’est bio ? – Is it organic?
Elles sont mûres ? – Are they ripe?
Je peux goûter ? – Can I taste?
Avez-vous quelque chose de plus frais ? – Do you have something fresher?

Numbers You’ll Need

Un / Deux / Trois – 1, 2, 3
Cent / Deux cents – 100, 200 (for grams)
Un kilo / Un demi-kilo – 1 kilogram / half a kilogram
Dix / Vingt / Trente – 10, 20, 30

Foodie Vocab

Légumes – Vegetables
Fruits de saison – Seasonal fruits
Fromage de chèvre – Goat cheese
Pain aux céréales – Multigrain bread
Fruits secs – Dried fruits
Charcuterie – Cured meats
Herbes de Provence – Mixed herbs from Provence

Real-Life Market Scenario

Imagine you’re at a market in Nice. You might say:

"Bonjour madame, je cherche des tomates bien mûres pour une salade. Vous recommandez lesquelles ?"

Translation: Hello ma'am, I'm looking for ripe tomatoes for a salad. Which ones do you recommend?

3. At the Bakery (La Boulangerie): Ordering Bread and Pastries

Nothing beats walking into a French bakery and breathing in the scent of fresh brioche. Here's how to handle your order with grace:

Essential Phrases

Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît. – Hello, I’d like a baguette, please.
Quel type de pain avez-vous aujourd’hui ? – What kinds of bread do you have today?
Je prends aussi un croissant aux amandes. – I’ll also take an almond croissant.
C’est tout, merci ! – That’s all, thank you!
Vous pouvez le couper ? – Can you slice it?

Common Baked Goods

Baguette tradition – Traditional baguette
Croissant au beurre – Butter croissant
Pain complet – Whole wheat bread
Tarte aux pommes – Apple tart
Chausson aux pommes – Apple turnover
Éclair au chocolat – Chocolate éclair
Pain au chocolat – Chocolate croissant
Brioche – Sweet, fluffy bread
Galette des rois – King's cake (seasonal)

Insider Tip

In France, people often have a "favorite boulangerie" they visit daily. Finding your favorite spot in Berkeley, San Francisco, or Oakland can be a fun part of your French practice.

4. At the Restaurant: Navigating the Menu Like a Pro

Dining out in France can be an art form. To fully enjoy it, you’ll want to know how to make requests, ask about ingredients, and order like a local.

Greeting and Seating

Bonjour, une table pour deux, s’il vous plaît. – Hello, a table for two, please.
Est-ce que je peux voir la carte ? – Can I see the menu?
La terrasse est ouverte ? – Is the patio open?

Ordering Food

Je vais prendre le menu fixe. – I’ll take the set menu.
Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez ? – What do you recommend?
Ce plat contient-il des noix ? – Does this dish contain nuts?
Je suis allergique au gluten. – I’m allergic to gluten.
Puis-je avoir de l’eau sans gaz ? – May I have still water?

Courses & Drinks

Entrée – Appetizer
Plat principal – Main course
Dessert – Dessert
Fromages – Cheeses
Vin rouge / blanc / rosé – Red / white / rosé wine
Café – Espresso
Thé – Tea

When You're Done

L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – The check, please.
C’était délicieux. Merci beaucoup ! – That was delicious. Thank you very much!

Real-Life Restaurant Scenario

"Je vais prendre le confit de canard, et comme entrée, la soupe à l’oignon. Un verre de Bordeaux, s’il vous plaît."

Translation: I’ll have the duck confit, and for the starter, the onion soup. A glass of Bordeaux, please.

5. Pronunciation Tips for Food Words

Boeuf (beef) = pronounced "buff"
Foie gras = "fwah grah"
Quiche = "keesh"
Boulangerie = "boo-lawn-zhe-ree"
Fromage = "fro-mahzh"

Practicing your pronunciation out loud will help you feel more confident. If you’re in the Bay Area, try visiting local French eateries in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco to practice in real life.

6. French Food Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Here’s a quick reference list to stick on your fridge or tuck into your travel bag:

Poisson – Fish
Agneau – Lamb
Canard – Duck
Champignons – Mushrooms
Oeuf – Egg
Crême fraîche – A sour cream-like dairy product
Huile d’olive – Olive oil
Sel / Poivre – Salt / Pepper
Pain grillé – Toast
Yaourt – Yogurt

7. Cultural Etiquette When Ordering in France

Understanding etiquette is just as important as language:

Always say bonjour and au revoir to staff.
Don’t touch produce without asking in a market.
Tipping is appreciated but modest: rounding up is fine.
At restaurants, it’s normal to take your time; don’t expect the check until you ask.
Expect to wait for the server—they won’t rush you.

🧀 Extra Tip: At cheese shops, describe your taste preference (mild, strong, creamy), and they’ll suggest something perfect.

8. Tips for Practicing Food French in the Bay Area

The Bay Area is full of hidden gems where you can flex your food French skills:

Visit a French bakery like La Farine in Oakland or La Boulangerie in San Francisco.
Shop at farmers markets in Berkeley or Ferry Plaza using French numbers and phrases.
Host a French dinner party and label all your dishes with their French names.
Watch French cooking shows like "Chef’s Table France" or "Les Carnets de Julie."

Every small practice moment adds flavor to your learning experience.

9. Final Thoughts: Savoring French Through Food

Learning French as a foodie is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with culture. Every bite becomes richer when you understand the words and the customs behind it. From morning croissants in Montmartre to late-night wine in Bordeaux, French isn’t just a language—it’s a flavor.

And if you're in Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco, you're already surrounded by French-inspired culture and cuisine. Take the next step—join a French class at Polyglottist Language Academy and start using your French in everyday life.

10. More Language + Culture Resources

Hungry for more? Check out these articles to feed your curiosity:

Bon appétit et à bientôt ! 🥖🇫🇷

Olga Sylvia