Tipping in Paris restaurants, tap water, steak doneness: French dining codes made simple
Service included, free tap water, rare or medium, the bill you must ask for: everything to know before your first meal in Paris.
In France, menu prices include taxes and service by law, so tipping is never mandatory: it is a free gesture of thanks. Rounding up or leaving a few coins is common. Tap water is free on request, bread comes with the meal, and the bill only arrives when you ask for it. Learn bleu, saignant, à point and bien cuit, and always start with "Bonjour".
Your first meal in Paris: the questions nobody dares ask
Should I tip? Is water free? Why does nobody bring the bill? Everyone wonders, visitors and new Parisians alike.
French dining has implicit codes; once understood, a tense meal becomes a pleasure.
This guide separates the law from custom and gives you concrete landmarks.
Our promise: eat in Paris like a local regular.
Tipping in France: what you really need to know
In France, tipping follows a different logic, starting with the law.
"Service compris": what the law says
Menu prices in France include all taxes and service: what you read is what you pay.
Staff are paid a salary by their employer; a tip is a bonus, not expected income.
So, should you tip?
Legally, no. In practice, a small gesture is appreciated when service was good.
There is no official scale: rounding up is common, and around 5 to 10% of the bill is sometimes mentioned for outstanding service. A custom, not a rule.
Judge the attention you received rather than the price of the meal.
Tipping by card or in cash
Coins left on the table are still perfectly fine.
Many card terminals now offer a tip option; you can accept or skip it freely.
Law: prices include service, no tip required. Custom: a free, modest gesture.
Freebies and French table customs
French dining has small generosities, if you know how to ask.
Tap water: your right, and how to ask
Tap water is served free with a meal; Paris water is safe to drink.
Ask for "une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît"; just "water" may bring a paid bottle.
Bread, usually unlimited
A bread basket comes with the meal in most brasseries, often placed straight on the table.
Why the bill never comes unasked
Bringing the bill unasked would feel like rushing you. Say "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" when ready.
Ordering in a brasserie
A few keywords make any brasserie menu crystal clear.
Entrée, plat, dessert, formule, plat du jour, ardoise
Beware: "entrée" means starter. "Plat" is the main, "formule" a fixed combination.
The daily special is often on the blackboard ("ardoise"). For the dishes themselves, see our guide to typical Parisian brasserie dishes.
And to understand the difference between brasserie and bistro , read our article.
Meat doneness: bleu, saignant, à point, bien cuit
French doneness runs rarer than elsewhere: "à point" is pinker than many expect.
| French | English | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Bleu | Very rare / blue | Seared outside, almost raw inside. |
| Saignant | Rare | Red in the centre. |
| À point | Medium rare to medium | Pink in the centre. |
| Bien cuit | Well done | Cooked through. |
Allergies, vegetarian, gluten-free
Say so when ordering; restaurants can tell you about the main allergens.
Wine by the glass, jug or bottle; coffee after
Coffee comes after dessert, not with it. "Un café" is an espresso.
French meal times and the advantage of all-day service
Lunch is usually 12 to 2pm, dinner from 7:30pm; many kitchens close in between.
A brasserie with all-day service is ideal for jet-lagged travellers. Le Bouquet d'Alésia is a Parisian brasserie with all-day service open 7 days a week with home-made cooking. For mornings, see our article on breakfast and brunch and for weekends, how to find a restaurant open on Sunday evening.
Calling the waiter, booking, running late: politeness that changes everything
Always start with "Bonjour" (or "Bonsoir" in the evening).
Catch the waiter's eye and say "S'il vous plaît"; never snap your fingers.
Booking is advised at peak times; call if late and cancel if you cannot come.
Visiting the area? Our guide what to do in the 14th arrondissement helps plan your day.
"Bonjour" first
"S'il vous plaît" and "Merci"
Call if running late
Restaurant survival glossary FR / EN
A few words to keep in your pocket.
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît
- The bill, please
- Une carafe d’eau
- A jug of tap water (free)
- À emporter
- To take away
Try these codes in a real Parisian brasserie, open all day, 7 days a week in Alésia
Come and practise at Le Bouquet d'Alésia, a neighbourhood brasserie with home-made cooking.
FAQ about restaurant etiquette in Paris
01Is service always included in France?
02How much should I tip in Paris?
03Can we share a dish?
04Can I ask for a doggy bag?
05Should I book a brasserie?
06Is water free in French restaurants?
Going further
Want to try this guide at a good table? Discover our brasserie paris in Alésia, open all day, 7 days a week.
Also on the blog:
Book your table
Call us to book or place your takeaway order.