How to Order Coffee in France: Top Tips from a Local

Last updated on February 26th, 2025 at 05:27 pm

Wondering about the best way to order coffee in France?

So did I when I first moved to France 7+ years ago. You’d think ordering coffee would be a fairly simple affair, and probably quite standard from country to country. Not the case I’m afraid.

Having spent nearly ten years in Melbourne where the coffee is insanely good, it’s safe to say I’m a coffee snob. I like my coffee small, strong and black.

Ordering coffee properly in France is something you want to learn ASAP. And even if coffee isn’t your thing, you’ll still want to know how to order your beverage of choice. So let’s get to it.

The Basics of Ordering Coffee in France

As with most things, it all starts with Bonjour. To find out why Bonjour is so important in French read this post >>>

But the essential thing to know is that without saying this one little word, the service you receive could be very different.

So once you’ve greeted the Barista how do you get started?

For most French people they ask for un café s’il vous plaît – a coffee please. This is the perfect phrase to use if you just want a standard cup of coffee.

Also, your coffee will be served in a small espresso sized cup, unless you say otherwise. Remember to use the phrase “avec lait et sucre” if you want milk and sugar added. If you don’t say it you won’t get it.

I don’t like milk in my coffee. If I do add milk it’s quite literally a dash of frothed milk. Usually, this is something I only do at home, as everyone seems to give me way too much.

I hate creamy coffee so you’ll never catch me ordering a latte. Not that it’s called that here.

7 Different Types of Coffee you can order in France

No 1 Café allongé – prounounced Ca-fay ah-longe-ay

For those looking for a larger size coffee this is the phrase to use. Whilst still not the size of a Venti in Starbucks it’s still substantially bigger than an espresso. With added water it’s definitely weaker than a standard coffee, and again, is served without milk or sugar so remember to ask for them if you need them.

Side note – one of my favourite ways to ask for anything, and also a standard phrase to use, is “Je veut”, the shorter version of “Je Voudrais“, “I would like”.

It works with pretty much everything you might need to ask for in a shop or cafe and feels less like you’re barking an order at someone.

No 2 Le café déca – pronounced Ca-fay deh-kah

You’d be right in assuming this is a decaf coffee. However, it’s the espresso version so only a small version. The usual rules apply for milk and sugar and you could probably add it to any coffee order, but be warned the French don’t like menu variations. Forewarned is forearmed.

And if you’re looking for other milk alternatives such as soy or oat then you might be better off looking for a chain coffee place. This sort of thing is not commonplace in French cafes, and certainly not in rural France. It’s just the way it is.

No 3 Café crème – prounounced Ca-fay Khrem

This is my hubby’s favourite. He loves a nice creamy coffee. It can vary around France but it will often have double the amount of water than other coffee. And it will usually have fresh cream on the top or a combination of cream and milk.

No 4 Café au lait (coffee with milk) – pronounced Ca-fay oh-lay

The French tend to have this type of coffee for breakfast and it’s more like a latte than anything else. Originally it was served in a bowl which you drank from using both hands, and not served in a glass or a cup. You don’t tend to see this anymore unless you’re in a very traditional French cafe.

No 5 Café gourmand – prounounced Ca-fay goohr-mahn with a nasal “n” sound at the end.

This is my favourite to order at a restaurant when I can’t make up my mind which dessert I’d like. Why have one when you can have three or even four?

Traditionally it’s an espresso coffee served with 3 or 4 mini desserts and it’s utterly decadent.

You don’t usually have a choice of dessert though so it can be a bit potluck what you get. But as most desserts in France are seriously yummy, it’s not usually a problem.

No 6 Café noisette – prounounced Ca-fay Nuh-wah-zet

Now even though noisette means hazelnut I’m afraid there is no hazelnut in this coffee. It derives its name from colour. The colour of the coffee is supposed to look like that of a hazelnut when mixed with frothy milk.

I’ve never had one as I don’t like milk in my coffee. The easiest way to explain it is that it’s like a macchiato with a dash of frothed milk on the top.

No 7 – Café Viennois – pronounced Ca-fay Vyeh-noh-wah

If you love a bit of cream with your coffee then a Café Viennois is perfect. It’s a shot of strong espresso topped with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or cocoa powder.

And if you don’t like coffee try a Chocolat chaud

Not a coffee fan? No problem. Even though I’m a self-confessed coffee addict I do sometimes swap it out for a hot chocolate.

They make the BEST hot chocolates here in France using a creamy cacao and its velvet heaven. You can always add a shot of espresso to it and turn it into a Mocha, known here as a Moka.

Helpful Phrases when enjoying Coffee in France

To help you get started here are some great French phrases that should help. Personally, I’ve used French Today to help me learn French. And we have a great resident French Teach, Julie, who holds online classes through her website

“Tu veux prendre un café?” – Do you want to get a coffee?
“L’endroit ici sert un café délicieux.” – The coffee here is great.
“Un sucre, s’il vous plaît.” – One sugar, please.
“J’aime mon café bien chaud.” – I like my coffee very hot.
“Un café avec un peu de lait, s’il vous plaît.” – A coffee with a little milk, please.
“Un café fort, s’il vous plaît.” – A strong coffee, please.
“Je préfère mon café sans sucre.” – I prefer my coffee without sugar.
“Un café à emporter, s’il vous plaît.” – A takeaway coffee, please.
“Je suis accro au café.” – I’m addicted to coffee.

FAQS: About Coffee in France

Final Thoughts on Ordering Coffee in France

So there you have it, a round up of the most popular coffee you’re likely to find on a menu in a French cafe. It took me a while to realise I needed to ask for sugar when ordering. It wasn’t bad service but simply the way they do things here.

So now my standard phrase is simply “Je veut un café s’il vous plaît avec du sucre”.

I hope you now feel ready to order your coffee however you take it. And be confident in what you’ll receive. But if you prefer to take your coffee home with you, remember to keep your coffee hot longer at home; consider using the best thermal carafe for coffee, which maintains the beverage’s temperature for extended periods.

Give it a go and see what happens. I mean how bad can it be? It’s only coffee you’re ordering.