Eating in a Paris restaurant can feel intimidating if you don’t know how things work — from when to book, to how to ask for water, to whether you can tip, share a dish, or ask for a doggie bag.
In this video, I explain 12 real rules Parisians actually follow when dining out.
No stereotypes, no clichés — just how things really work today, in 2025.
You’ll learn:
– What time restaurants serve meals
– Why you shouldn’t sit down without being seated
– How to order water (and avoid paying for bottled water by mistake)
– Why bread is always free
– Whether you can share dishes
– What to expect about smoking on terraces
– How tipping really works in France
– And yes… you can take your leftover wine home 🍷
Whether you’re coming for a weekend or planning your dream food trip, this will help you eat like a local — respectfully and confidently.
Bon appétit, and welcome to Paris 🇫🇷
29 Comments
I understand why you present thoses "tips", "manners" as rules for a north american community, but let's be clear, we french don't consider them as RULES to be mandatory followed no matter what. In fact french spirit is kind of "rule freee thinking". Everyone follows what he/she feels appropriate, and since we all get the same basic education it works more or less as a "set of rules", but nothing is written, it's up to each one to adapt them to the situation and our own style. French etiquette, if any, is always very flexible and it's what makes it nice to experiment.
Let's say, once you have adopted thoses "rules" you got the basic training ; next step is to forget this "rule" mentality, try to understand the people around you, yes waiters are real people with their own personality , feelings and style, and the fun to do the french way will be multiplicated by 10….. :o)
First thing, eat before dining out. The portions will be attractive and tiny.
You mentioned it’s usual to reserve a table if dining in the evening, but you didn’t say how to ask for a table if you haven’t reserved. That would be a helpful point to include.
so glad we can now reserve online. i know some French and learn more every time I go to France, but i could never phone a restaurant and actually converse/negotiate a reservation.
My wife and I took our pick of Indian restaurants on May Day (only one's open ) staff was fantastic, wedding anniversary ❤️ LOVE PARIS 😘
I went and lived in Paris 25 years ago. There were no rules to follow. Just basic manners.
Proper etiquette in Paris now is to bring your prayer rug everywhere you go so you can do the call to prayer. France has fallen to the Muslim hoard. Stay out of France stay out of England stay out of Germany visit Poland. We’re men are real men, and they keep the Muslims out.
Yes thank you excellent guidance
The food + experience in Paris is unmatched
Tres bien.
Not taking away plates until everyone at your table has finished eating is a French tradition that I wish we had here in the United States.
My wife and I have visited Paris four times. Although my French is not fluent, the courtesy and hospitality we have experienced in the restaurants there is only matched by the quality of the food. I wish that the dining traditions in France would become common in the USA. Visiting France has come to feel like returning home.
Things you need to know? You mean what AMERICANS need to know.
How about modifying a dish because of allergies. Is it acceptable to ask for a dish to be cooked with olive instead of butter. Or to have the sauce omitted or on the side rather than if it can't be made without gluten?
What a delighful intro into étiquettes in different cultures. I live in Quebec. When visiting France, Quebeckers are often, shall we say, often looked at as delightful throwbacks to how French was spoken centuries ago. Our vocabulary is often incomprehensible to the French when we talk 'canadian, or quebecker' french. But, for the most part, the French are charming and will never give one the 'stink eye' like one must have just arrived from the farm 😂.
This video is such a pleasant intro into the subtle differences in manners. I could live with the 'look' if asking for a doggie bag (but don't). But I draw the line at putting my bread on the table or placemat! They're filthy, I wouldn't do it at home and I don't do it in France. Ewww! There are times when one just has to demonstrate that one is truly a savage foreigner… and smile politely when looked at askance.
Again, thank you so much for creating this excellent video.
Who eats diner at 6pm? only those over 80 years old lol…. in most European countries, dinner starts around 20:00 to 21:00 give or take.
We asked for coffee as soon as we got to our table and were promptly growled at before we could get our coffee.
Very sound advice. No scruffs…
Seams like some of these tips are crafted for American tourists mostly.
How about keeping your dirty phone off of my table top…I hate to see a phone..its like,e having a TV next to your dish…..yuck.
In my experience, most well-educated and well-socialized Americans find these rules to be normal in any country–their own or one they visit. The exceptions are starting dinner service at 7pm and no earlier, a slower pace to the meal, and tipping less. The latter two make perfect sense, but I prefer to have my dinner at 6:00 or 6:30.
TVs in sports bars only are the norm speaking of Canada and the cities I'ved lived in and visited here. Even in the more casual restaurants – no. Upscale – not a chance. So not seeing a TV screen is not unusual. In sportsbar chains that also ecompass a restaurant area there may be a sight of a TV, just not directly in the dining area.
Lessons in manners which the Anglo Saxon world has lost.
After a decade living in Europe and visiting France often, I have to say I miss the pace of a meal there. Video was a good reminder.
Thank you for explaining why I love eating out in France so much.
As long as I can get ketchup and can mix my wine with cola, I'm fine. I don't mind if the waiters speak French. ಠ_ಠ
So i need to sit in the hot inside space because some stupid disgusting wanker can't stop putting their cancersticks in their piehole ? I don't think so , my God i will be happy when it is 2027 in Belgium . Then they can shove those cancer junk up their arses or stay home because then it will be banned to smoke on terrasses in Belgium . 👍👍👍👍
About going around with bottles… I've seen Americans drinking alcool while walking in the street or in transports.
That's not something locals do, it's seen as being rude. When we drink outside, it's at terraces, at some fair or when we sit somewhere to eat (like a picnic). Don't walk around in streets, shops or subways like drunkards.
Being inebriated in public can even get you a fine.
In general, people won't eat or drink while standing in transports,. Most of us respect our public spaces and transports. We don't like people who put their shoes where someone else will sit or litter everywhere.
The best way to know how to behave is usually to watch how most locals are doing things or simply ask.
You had to finish with Beef Bourguignon – now I'm hungry. Great video, I've never understood why so many people fear French dining. Just be polite, use good manners and everything will be fine.
Are you allowed to take your own wine instead of ordering the restaurant's wine? Here in South Africa it's common to take your own bottle; some restaurants charge a 'corkage' fee, some don't.