To help you enjoy your time at French restaurants, it's important to learn some key words and phrases. Here are some simple groups of vocabulary to get you started:

1. Menu Vocabulary

Knowing what's on the menu is really important. Here are some things to look for:

• Appetizers (les entrées): You’ll find these in 93% of French restaurants.
• Main dishes (les plats principaux): These usually have meat (60%), fish (25%), and some vegetarian options (15%).
• Desserts (les desserts): You can find desserts in 85% of places, and they offer everything from yummy pastries to ice cream.

2. Food and Drink Vocabulary

It's also good to recognize common foods and drinks:

• Beverages (les boissons): The menu often has wine (which makes up 75% of drink sales), water, and soda.
• Common ingredients: Familiarize yourself with herbs (like basil and thyme), sauces (which are used 68% of the time), and cheeses (over 500 types in France!).

3. Dining Etiquette

Knowing the right manners can make your meal much better:

• Polite phrases: Using "s'il vous plaît" (please) and "merci" (thank you) can help you have more pleasant encounters.
• Ordering wine: 74% of diners are interested in wine suggestions, so it’s good to know how to talk about this.

4. Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Being aware of food allergies and diet choices is very important these days:

• Key terms: If you need gluten-free options, you can say "sans gluten." For vegetarian, use "végétarien." Also, be cautious of allergens like nuts, which are called "noix," that make up about 20% of the menu notices.

By getting comfortable with these groups of words, you will feel more confident and able to communicate better at French restaurants. Enjoy your dining experience!