Buying Street Food
These phrases will help you confidently order food, ask about ingredients, and pay at a French street food stall.
Key Phrases
Bonjour, je vais prendre un sandwich au poulet.
politeHello, I'll take a chicken sandwich.
A polite, standard way to order using the near future tense (instead of the conditional).
Salut, un sandwich s'il te plaît.
casualHi, a sandwich please.
Very direct; only use 'tu' if the vendor is young or the vibe is very informal.
Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dedans ?
neutralWhat is inside it?
Useful when pointing at a dish you don't recognize.
Est-ce que c'est très épicé ?
politeIs it very spicy?
A standard, clear way to ask if the food has a lot of heat.
C'est fort ?
casualIs it hot?
A quick, everyday way to ask. In food contexts, 'fort' means strong or spicy.
Juste une portion, s'il vous plaît.
neutralJust one portion, please.
Clear and simple when they ask how much you want.
Est-ce que je peux avoir de la sauce ?
neutralCan I have some sauce?
Using 'pouvoir' (can) to make a simple, polite request.
Est-ce que vous prenez les espèces ?
politeDo you take cash?
'Espèces' is the formal, standard term for cash.
Vous prenez le liquide ?
casualDo you take cash?
'Le liquide' is the everyday, conversational word for cash in France.
Est-ce qu'on peut s'asseoir ici ?
neutralCan we sit here?
Useful if there are tables or benches around the stall.