#149 Picking Up a Reserved Item｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi Curious French
#126 Requesting Vegetarian Options at a Restaurant｜French Dining Phrases
Izumi
Some restaurants are able to accommodate vegetarian requests, and in such cases, it is important to ask in advance.
When consulting staff in French, confirming whether vegetarian options are available and discussing possible modifications within a reasonable range can help ensure a more enjoyable dining experience.
In this article, I explain useful French expressions for situations in which you wish to ask about vegetarian options at a restaurant.
Contents
Dialogue
Avant de commander, j’aimerais vous poser une question concernant le menu.
（Before ordering, I would like to ask a question regarding the menu.）
Oui, je vous écoute.
（Yes, of course. Please go ahead.）
Je suis végétarien. Est-ce que vous proposez des plats sans viande ni poisson ?
（I am a vegetarian. Do you offer any dishes that do not contain meat or fish?）
Oui, nous avons un plat végétarien et quelques options qui peuvent être adaptées.
（Yes, we have one vegetarian dish, and there are also several options that can be adapted.）
Très bien. Serait-il possible de remplacer la viande par des légumes dans ce plat ?
（That’s great. Would it be possible to replace the meat with vegetables in this dish?）
Aucun problème. Souhaitez-vous également qu’il soit préparé sans fromage ?
（No problem at all. Would you also like it to be prepared without cheese?）
Oui, s’il vous plaît. Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.
（Yes, please. Thank you very much for your assistance.）
1. Starting the Conversation
When making a special request at a restaurant, it is best not to state your conditions abruptly.
Instead, begin by indicating that you have a question to ask.
Example
- Avant de commander, j’aimerais vous poser une question concernant le menu.
（Before ordering, I would like to ask a question regarding the menu.）
By using “Avant de commander” as a lead-in and “j’aimerais vous poser une question”, you convey a polite and considerate attitude.
This approach makes it easier for restaurant staff to respond calmly and attentively.
2. Stating That You Are Vegetarian
Next, clearly explain your dietary preference.
Example
- Je suis végétarien.
（I am a vegetarian.）
Although this is a short sentence, stating this upfront helps the staff quickly identify suitable dishes or alternatives.
To clarify your requirements further, you can continue with the following question:
Example
- Est-ce que vous proposez des plats sans viande ni poisson ?
（Do you offer any dishes without meat or fish?）
The structure “sans A ni B” means “without either A or B.”
3. Explaining That Vegetarian Options Are Available
If vegetarian accommodations are possible, the restaurant staff may respond as follows:
Example
- Oui, nous avons un plat végétarien et quelques options qui peuvent être adaptées.
（Yes, we have one vegetarian dish, and there are also several options that can be adapted.）
This sentence indicates that the restaurant offers both a fully vegetarian dish and other items that can be modified.
The phrase “quelques options” means “several options,” while “peuvent être adaptées” means “can be adapted.”
4. Politely Requesting a Modification
When asking the restaurant to accommodate your dietary needs, it is important to use a polite request.
Example
- Serait-il possible de remplacer la viande par des légumes ?
（Would it be possible to replace the meat with vegetables?）
The expression “Serait-il possible de … ?” is a very polite and restrained way to make a request.
The structure “remplacer A par B” means “to replace A with B.”
If you have additional dietary restrictions, you may add:
Related Expressions
- sans fromage (without cheese)
- sans œufs (without eggs)
- sans produits animaux (without animal products)
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Avant de commander, j’aimerais vous poser une question.
→ A polite way to indicate that you have a special request. - Je suis végétarien.
→ A concise way to state that you are vegetarian. - Est-ce que vous proposez des plats sans viande ni poisson ?
→ Used to check whether suitable dishes are available. - Serait-il possible de remplacer ～ par ～ ?
→ A polite expression for requesting a specific modification.
