What time do we eat?

Lunch is usually between midday and 2 pm, when the kitchen will go off duty. Watch out, as during these times, service can be rather slow if you find yourself in a business area. Parisians don’t dine until at least 8.30 pm as prior to that, time is set aside for “l’apéritif”. If you’re used to eating earlier, restaurants in the more-frequented tourist areas are open from 7 pm onwards, although you won’t see too many Parisians at that time! Alternatively, you can go for a lighter fare (salads, sandwiches or pizza for example). You can eat late in the busier districts and many restaurants stay open until after midnight, in particular the brasseries who serve food non-stop. It’s a good idea to check opening times in our information pages and to book a table in advance in order to avoid a long wait at the more popular spots, especially at the weekend. The majority of bars and cafés open early, around 7 or 8 am and close late, sometimes not until 2 am, or even later if the establishment has a special dispensation.

How to pay?

Restaurants everywhere take all the major credit cards: Visa, EuroCard, MasterCard, American Express. At each transaction, the restaurant must give you a receipt which you should keep safely. Only cheques drawn on French banks will be accepted and generally proof of identity is requested. You can also pay in euros of course, although it is best to avoid the larger denomination banknotes.

Inside or out?

If you sit outside on the pavement or terrace, prices will inevitably be higher. The difference varies according to the place, but the establishment is obliged to display their prices, both those at the counter (“comptoir”) or at an outside table (“terrasse”).

To tip or not to tip?

In France all prices include service and taxes, with approximately 15% of the price corresponding to the service. However, if the waiter or waitress has been especially attentive, you can leave him or her a tip to show your appreciation. Around 5 to 10% of the bill is usual.

Beer or whisky?

Alcoholic drinks are on sale at grocers’, wine shops or supermarkets. We must not forget though that alcohol over-indulgence is not only bad for our health, it can also threaten our driving licence (loss of points, considerable fines) and above all endanger lives. Any establishment selling alcohol is not authorized to serve children under 16 years of age. Drinks less than 15 degrees in strength (wine, beer) can be served to under-18s, but not spirits and liqueurs (whisky, vodka, etc.) Restaurants that do not have the appropriate licence cannot serve alcoholic drinks except to accompany a meal.

See “Health: Alcohol and drugs”

Happy hour!

A custom imported from English-speaking lands, it has been “happily” adopted by the French and is rife at the time of “l’apéritif” (from 6 to 8 pm) when certain cafés and bistros offer their best cocktails or wine by the glass at a reduced price or sometimes “2 for the price of 1”.

Snug for smokers?

Restaurants should have designated smoking and non-smoking areas and the inevitable question “fumeur ou non fumeur?” will be asked as you go in. Cafés and clubs remain the places where this law may be not so strictly adhered to, and where the cigarette as a leisure companion is very much in evidence. Mutual respect is ultimately the only rule.

See “Health: Smoking/No smoking”

Our four-legged friends

Before you book your table or meet for drinks, ensure that the establishment of your choice will accept your pet. Hospitality may include a Yorkshire terrier without necessarily extending to a Saint-Bernard...

See “Daily life: Animals”

Do you speak English?

In busy tourist areas and in the top restaurants, waiting staff will speak one foreign language or more. English is the most common, but you’ll come across German, Spanish and Italian too. Menus are translated into English and other languages if the area is visited by tourists.