French A1: Ordering at a Café — Polite Phrases, Menus, and Mini-Dialogues
Imagine stepping into a cozy French café. The smell of fresh coffee, the clink of cups, the display of golden croissants. In a few minutes, you’ll be ready to greet the server, order confidently, and ask for the bill — all in simple, polite French.
In this lesson, you’ll learn essential phrases, mini-dialogues, and helpful cultural tips for ordering at a café. We’ll practice as we go so you can speak right away.
First contact: greeting and getting attention
Start with a friendly greeting — in France, “Bonjour” matters! Then get the server’s attention politely.
, la carte, s’il vous plaît.
Ordering politely: two essential models
There are two A1-friendly ways to order:
- Je voudrais… = I would like… (very polite, common)
- Je prends… = I’ll take… / I’m having… (neutral, also common)
Use either, then add your item, and finish with “s’il vous plaît.”
Je un café, s’il vous plaît.
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| je | prends |
| tu | prends |
| il/elle/on | prend |
| nous | prenons |
| vous | prenez |
| ils/elles | prennent |
Mini-menu: common café items
Here are very common, useful words. Notice the articles: un (masc.) and une (fem.).
Start with Je, end politely.
Clarifying details: sugar, milk, to stay or to go
A few short questions you might hear or ask:
Put it together: a tiny café dialogue
Read and then reorder the lines to make a natural exchange.
Asking for the bill and paying
When you’re ready to pay, catch the server’s eye and say:
Quick recap
- Greet first: Bonjour ! Then: Excusez-moi. S’il vous plaît.
- Order with: Je voudrais… or Je prends… + item.
- Common items: un café, un thé, un croissant.
- Clarify: Avec du sucre ? Sans sucre. Sur place ou à emporter ?
- Pay: L’addition, s’il vous plaît.
Keep your phrases short, smile, and speak slowly. With these building blocks, you’re café-ready!
Try this on your next café visit
- Start with “Bonjour !”
- Order one drink and one pastry using either Je voudrais… or Je prends…
- Add one detail (sur place / à emporter, avec / sans sucre)
- Finish with “Merci. Bonne journée !”
You’ve got this — bon café !