Entrée, plat, dessert: read the menu and order your courses

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated 28 September 2026 · About the library

Read French course names, choose a two-course menu and order with useful phrases. Includes six food picture cards and a short menu quiz.

A2
13 phrases
5 situations
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In short

On a menu in France, une entrée is a starter, un plat principal is a main course and un dessert is dessert. In entrée + plat + dessert, the shorter plat means the main course. American English “entrée” means the main course; French uses it for the starter.

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Read the headings first

French heading	Meaning	An example on the menu
Entrées	Starters	Soupe de légumes
Plats principaux	Main courses	Omelette et salade
Desserts	Desserts	Tarte aux pommes

Six dishes you can order

What do entrée, plat and dessert mean on a French menu?

Three combinations on the same menu

Menu wording	What you choose
Entrée + plat	One starter and one main course
Plat + dessert	One main course and one dessert
Entrée + plat + dessert	One of each: starter, main course and dessert

Ask what the menu includes

YouLa formule comprend une entrée et un plat ?Does the set menu include a starter and a main?

ServerOui, ou un plat et un dessert.Yes, or a main and a dessert.

YouAlors, je prends un plat et un dessert.Then I’ll have a main and a dessert.

Name each course as you order

ServerQu’est-ce que vous prenez en entrée ?What would you like as a starter?

YouLa soupe de légumes, s’il vous plaît.The vegetable soup, please.

ServerEt comme plat principal ?And for your main course?

YouJe voudrais l’omelette avec de la salade.I’d like the omelette with some salad.

Check the size and the side

The same dish can appear in different menu sections. Ask about its role or size.

YouCette salade est servie en entrée ou en plat principal ?Is this salad served as a starter or a main course?

ServerEn plat principal.As a main course.

YouLes légumes sont compris ?Are the vegetables included?

Finish with dessert

ServerVous voulez un dessert ?Would you like a dessert?

YouOui, une part de tarte aux pommes, merci.Yes, a slice of apple tart, thank you.

Skip dessert

YouPas de dessert pour moi, merci.No dessert for me, thank you.

Un plat also means a dish in general: Ce restaurant propose des plats végétariens. In the three-part menu sequence, it means the main. For the plural of plat principal, write plats principaux. At a museum, l’entrée is the entrance or admission; see the linked entrance scene for that meaning.