In Provence they say: L'eau fait pleurer, le vin fait chanter... (Water makes one cry, wine makes one sing!)
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| Les Deux Magots ~ one of Paris's most famous... known as a popular literary hangout for the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, Jean-Paul Sartre and André Breton |
here is a quick glossary of French eateries.
Bistro
Bistros are intimate, usually family-owned restaurants that serve traditional fare and French wine. You’ll find casual menu items that also show up in brasseries, as well as tartes, braises and stews. If you’re short on time or just not looking for a real-sit down meal, bistros generally offer a casual atmosphere and reasonably-priced, simple fare. They are very popular destinations and so tend to get crowded, but beyond their cramped quarters, bistros offer a sampling of some of France’s favorite culinary staples. Many bistros also sell tobacco, lottery tickets and scratch-off games. They tend to be open only during meal hours, meaning from around 11:30 am- 2:00 pm for lunch and 7:30 pm- 11:00 pm for dinner.
Bouchon
Specific to Lyon, bouchons are independent, casual dining spots that typically serve decadently high-fat items like pts, offals and roasts. While traveling in Lyon, you will undoubtedly encounter the city’s typical bouchons serving the region’s traditional specialties, which tend to be meat-heavy dishes such as sausage, duck pâté and pork. Bouchons are known more for their convivial, lively atmospheres than refined haute cusine, but a hearty meal is guaranteed, usually accompanied by a glass of Beaujolais or Côtes-du-Rhône. Expect opening hours to coincide with meal times
The name translates to “brewery,” so a brasserie is a French version of a pub: beer and cider are usually served in a loud, bustling space. Typical brasserie meals include steak frites or mussels (also with frites, please!). Closely identifiable with pub restaurants, brasseries serve traditional French food, coffee and drinks at moderate prices. They offer a wider food selection than bistros and tend to be bustling and serving food all day long, from morning until late at night. As brasserie means “brewery” in French, you can expect a beer and wine selection that will satisfy true aficionados!
In France, a caf is where you go for your coffee, and perhaps a light snack or lunch in the form of a croque monsieur or a meal-sized salad. The French café is so ingrained in the country’s reputation that you can hardly imagine France without it! Cafés are often casual neighborhood hangouts but can also have trendier atmospheres. They mainly serve coffee, of course, as well as tea, hot chocolate and light snacks such as toasted sandwiches. Cafes are usually open from morning (roughly 7 am) until evening. Unlike some other establishments in France, cafés do not close mid-day
Auberge
For a rustic family-style meal, an auberge attached to a rural bed-and-breakfast or hotel serves up cuisine that will hit the spot, and an auberge terroir uses certified local ingredients. In both cases, a table d’hôte with limited options is usually offered. Since they are often attached to bed and breakfasts or hotels, auberges will also offer accommodations to their visitors.
Restaurant
For a traditional multi-course meal in France, restaurants are your best bet. Most will offer a wide selection of dishes on a prix-fixe menu (with some combination of appetizer, entrée and dessert) as well as an à la carte option. Wine choices and higher-end service are also often emphasized in restaurants. And like bistros, restaurants are usually open only during meal hours, and you may find that many are closed on Sundays or Mondays.
Traiteur
The closest thing to a delicatessen. They offer catering and ready-meals, and deli-type goods such as marinated olives, tapenades, seafood and salads. These are great places to go if you're trying to put together some take-away foods for a picnic...
Buvette
Also known as a ‘buffet’ or ‘snack’, they sell pizza by-the-slice, paninis, baguette sandwiches and drinks.
Salon de Thé
Serves a range of teas, and usually offers cakes, quiches and tarts.
Boulangerie
A bread shop. Usually fresh baked croissants... Dedicated boulangeries usually don’t dabble in pastries or cakes.
Fromagerie
A cheese shop.These can be amazing places with incredible selection... Ask for advice, and take it!
Crêperies
You are certain to encounter a crêperie serving crêpes (thin pancakes, sweet and made with wheat flour) and galettes (savoury and made with buckwheat flour). Sometimes you'll find a Creperie street cart (think hot dog cart, but with fresh to order crepes stuffed with incredible fillings)
Patisserie
A bakery specializing in cakes and sweets. This is where you’ll find your eclairs, macarons and petit fours.
