French café menus are bilingual in their own right. "Café gourmand" sounds innocent. "Formule" sounds like a marketing term. This decoder tells you what to order — and what to avoid — with 2026 reference prices.
French café menus are short but cryptic. The 2026 inflation has changed prices more than the menu has changed — a café allongé in Paris can be €3.50 in a tourist brasserie but €1.20 in a quartier café. Knowing the difference saves money.
Two non-obvious terms: "cagnotte" (a shared tip jar — feel free to add a coin), and "ardoise" (literally "slate," meaning the handwritten daily specials).
Tap or click any term above. Most are common; a few (cagnotte, ardoise) are insider vocabulary that will make the server smile if you use them.
Almost. Café au lait = espresso + hot milk (50/50, served in a bowl or large cup). Café crème = espresso + steamed cream (in a smaller cup). Crème is more elegant; au lait is breakfast.
A "double" is two espresso shots in one cup — typically 60% the price of two single shots. Charge more for the second pull. Some places call it "double café."
Espresso served with 3 mini-desserts (mousse, tartlet, financier). ~€6–€9 in Paris, less elsewhere. Worth it once per trip.