Order at a café in French
Learn to order a drink in French, choose a size, and ask the price politely with culturally appropriate phrases.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Ordering a drink in French is a common situation for travelers and learners. This lesson teaches you how to order a drink, specify a size or option, and ask the price politely. You will learn essential phrases, a polite pattern using 'je voudrais', and how to interact in a café or bar. We focus on standard contemporary French, with notes on regional differences where relevant. By the end, you will be able to handle a simple drink order confidently.
By the end, you can…
- order a drink in French using a polite phrase.
- specify a size or option for my drink.
- ask the price politely in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a coffee, please.
zhuh voo-dreh uhn ka-feh, seel voo pleh
Polite way to order any drink. 'Je voudrais' is softer than 'je veux' (I want).
Un grand café, s'il vous plaît.
A large coffee, please.
uhn grahn ka-feh, seel voo pleh
Use 'grand' for large and 'petit' for small. In cafés, 'un grand café' often means a large cup of coffee.
C'est combien, s'il vous plaît ?
How much is it, please?
seh kohn-byen, seel voo pleh
Polite way to ask the price. You can also say 'Ça fait combien ?' in informal settings.
Je vais prendre un thé au citron.
I'll have a lemon tea.
zhuh veh prahn-druhn teh oh see-trohn
'Je vais prendre' is another polite way to order, common in restaurants.
Avec des glaçons, s'il vous plaît.
With ice, please.
a-vek deh glah-sohn, seel voo pleh
Specify options like ice. In France, drinks are often served without ice unless requested.
L'addition, s'il vous plaît.
The bill, please.
la-dee-syohn, seel voo pleh
Use this to ask for the bill after your drink. In cafés, you often pay at the counter.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'Je voudrais + [drink], s'il vous plaît' is a polite way to order. For example, 'Je voudrais un jus d'orange, s'il vous plaît' (I would like an orange juice, please). To specify size, add 'un grand' or 'un petit' before the drink: 'Je voudrais un petit café, s'il vous plaît.' To ask the price, use 'C'est combien, s'il vous plaît ?' This pattern works in most French-speaking places.
When to use it
Use 'Je voudrais' in cafés, bars, and restaurants. It is polite and suitable for both formal and informal settings. If you are with friends, you might hear 'Je prends un café' (I'm having a coffee), but 'Je voudrais' is safer for learners. When asking for the price, 'C'est combien ?' is direct but polite with 's'il vous plaît'. In Quebec, you might hear 'Ça coûte combien ?' but 'C'est combien ?' is widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.
Hello, I would like a coffee, please.bohn-zhoor, zhuh voo-dreh uhn ka-feh, seel voo plehUn café. Petit ou grand ?
A coffee. Small or large?uhn ka-feh. puh-tee oo grahn?Un grand, s'il vous plaît. C'est combien ?
A large one, please. How much is it?uhn grahn, seel voo pleh. seh kohn-byen?Ça fait trois euros cinquante.
That's three euros fifty.sa feh trwah uh-roh san-kahntD'accord. Je paie par carte, s'il vous plaît.
Okay. I'll pay by card, please.da-kor. zhuh peh par kart, seel voo plehTrès bien. Voilà votre café.
Very well. Here is your coffee.treh byen. vwah-la vo-truh ka-fehA little context goes a long way
In France, it's common to greet the server with 'Bonjour' before ordering. Tipping is not obligatory as service is included, but leaving small change is appreciated. In Quebec, you might hear 'Bonjour' or 'Salut' depending on the setting, and prices are in Canadian dollars. In Belgium, 's'il vous plaît' is standard, and you might see 'un café' served as an espresso. Always use 'vous' with strangers unless invited to use 'tu'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Je veux' (I want) to order a drink.
Try this instead: 'Je veux' can sound abrupt. Use 'Je voudrais' instead: 'Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.' This is polite and appropriate in service situations.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you order a small coffee politely in French?
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais un petit café, s'il vous plaît.
This uses the polite 'Je voudrais' and specifies size with 'petit'. You could also say 'Un petit café, s'il vous plaît' for a shorter version.
2Ask the price of your drink politely in French.
Show a sample answer
C'est combien, s'il vous plaît ?
This is a standard polite way to ask the price. In informal settings, 'Ça fait combien ?' is also acceptable.
3How would you ask for a lemon tea with ice?
Show a sample answer
Je voudrais un thé au citron avec des glaçons, s'il vous plaît.
This combines the order with a specific option. You could also say 'Un thé au citron avec des glaçons, s'il vous plaît' without 'Je voudrais'.
Use 'Je voudrais' to order politely, add 'petit' or 'grand' for size, and ask 'C'est combien, s'il vous plaît ?' for the price. Always say 's'il vous plaît' and greet with 'Bonjour' first.
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