#66 Checking Project Progress｜French Business Conversation
Izumi French Garden
#105 Asking for Recommendations for Nearby Cafés｜French Daily Conversation Phrases
Izumi
When visiting an unfamiliar place during travel, asking “Is there a good café around here?” can help you discover popular local spots or cafés with a pleasant atmosphere.
When asking about cafés in French, it is useful to combine expressions related to polite inquiries, location details, opening hours, and menu information depending on the situation.
In this lesson, I introduce practical French expressions for asking about recommended cafés nearby, along with key grammar points.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour. Est-ce que vous connaissez un bon café dans le quartier ?
（Hello. Do you know any good cafés around this area?）
Oui, il y a un petit café très sympa juste au coin de la rue.
（Yes, there’s a very nice little café right at the corner of the street.）
Ça a l’air agréable. Est-ce que c’est ouvert toute la journée ?
（That sounds lovely. Is it open all day?）
Généralement, ils sont ouverts de 8h à 19h.
（Generally, they’re open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.）
Et est-ce qu’ils servent aussi des pâtisseries ?
（Do they also serve pastries?）
Oui, ils ont d’excellents gâteaux faits maison.
（Yes, they have excellent homemade cakes.）
Super, j’irai y faire un tour. Merci encore !
（Great, I’ll check it out. Thanks again!）
1. Asking for a Recommended Café
First, let’s look at the basic expression for asking whether there is a good café nearby.
- Est-ce que vous connaissez un bon café dans le quartier ?
（Do you know any good cafés around this area?）
“un bon café” literally means “a good café,” and conveys the nuance of a pleasant or popular place.
“dans le quartier” means “in this neighborhood” and is a common phrase for narrowing down the location.
Other useful variations include:
- Pouvez-vous me recommander un café sympa dans les environs ?
(Could you recommend a nice café nearby?) - Où est-ce que je peux trouver un café tranquille ?
(Where can I find a quiet café?)
The word sympa (nice, pleasant) is a casual and commonly used expression in everyday conversation.
2. Expressing Impressions and Asking Follow-Up Questions
Once you receive information about a café, expressing your reaction helps the conversation flow more smoothly.
- Ça a l’air agréable.
(That looks nice / That seems pleasant.)
The expression “avoir l’air + adjective” means “to seem / to look.”
Using this phrase makes your response sound friendly and natural, encouraging the other person to share more details.
If you want to ask about the atmosphere of the café, you can say:
- C’est un endroit calme ?
(Is it a quiet place?) - L’ambiance est plutôt conviviale ?
(Is the atmosphere friendly/warm?)
The atmosphere is often an important factor when choosing a café.
3. Asking About Opening Hours and How Busy It Gets
Opening hours are essential information when deciding whether to visit.
- Est-ce que c’est ouvert toute la journée ?
(Is it open all day?)
“ouvert” means open, and “toute la journée” means “all day / throughout the day.”
If you want to ask more specifically:
- Jusqu’à quelle heure est-ce ouvert ?
(Until what time is it open?) - Est-ce qu’il y a beaucoup de monde le matin ?
(Is it crowded in the morning?)
Knowing the busy hours can help you choose the best time to visit.
4. Confirming Menu Options and Services
Many cafés serve sweets, light meals, or special menu items. Here are some useful expressions:
- Est-ce qu’ils servent aussi des pâtisseries ?
(Do they also serve pastries?)
“pâtisseries” refers to cakes and French-style pastries.
Other useful menu-related questions include:
- Est-ce qu’ils proposent des options végétariennes ?
(Do they offer vegetarian options?) - Est-ce qu’on peut y déjeuner légèrement ?
(Can you have a light meal there?)
Checking the menu helps ensure the café suits your needs.
Summary
- Est-ce que vous connaissez un bon café dans le quartier ?
→ A basic expression for asking about recommended cafés nearby. - Pouvez-vous me recommander un café sympa ?
→ Useful for asking about a pleasant or friendly café. - Est-ce que c’est ouvert toute la journée ?
→ To confirm opening hours. - Est-ce qu’ils servent des pâtisseries ?
→ A helpful phrase when asking about menu items.
