Dining in France: What to Know Before You Eat Out

French brasserie exterior

Dining in France runs on a set of rules that nobody explains before you go. Your bread goes on the table, not on your plate. Your server won't bring the check until you ask for it. Lunch formules are cheaper than ordering the same food off the a la carte menu, and most tourists walk right past them. Tipping is included in the price, but there are times when you leave a little extra.

We cover all of it below: how to order, how service works, what to expect at different price levels, and when French people actually eat (later than you think, and it affects whether you'll get a table).

Jean-Paul: "Most of what Americans call rude service in France is just a different system. French servers aren't ignoring you. They're giving you space to enjoy the meal. Once you understand how it works, eating out becomes one of the best parts of any trip."

Jessica: "The lunch formule was my biggest 'why did nobody tell me this' moment in France. A two-course meal with wine for 15-18 euros at restaurants that charge twice that at dinner. We eat almost every lunch this way now."

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