Cafes, Bistros, Brasseries, Restaurants etc.

A silly question maybe, but how does one know the difference between. Some are for grabing a snack, some are for more of serious meal. I open the door and I am in a ? how do I know before making an a.. of myself......... (to late).

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Cafes - usually for morning coffee/croissant, then beer or other beverages, light meals, usually no reservations - if tables have cloths, then meals are expected

Bistros/restaurants - usually small places, family-run, serving meals, not snacks or just drinks or just dessert...

brasseries - usually Alsation cuisine, or seafood, but operate long hours and can order freely from the %26#39;carte%26#39; as much or little as you want, ok for beer or drinks.. might make reservations for more famous or upscale locations

IMPORTANT NOTE: you can%26#39;t necessarily go by what the place calls itself to determine what it is.

Observe other people at tables and see if you can tell what%26#39;s going to be expected...

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Thanks travelnutty,

It does seam a rather fine line that distinquishes one from another.

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The easiest way is to read the menu, which by law must be displayed and visible before you enter the establishment. A lot of places will actually have the menu prominently displayed on a board by the footpath.

Don%26#39;t feel any embarrasment about standing there reading the menu in public, as you might be mistaken for a picky French person. Or me................

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Macnabb --

One of the great pleasures of being in Paris is to wander aimlessly and read the bills of fare posted outside the restaurants, bistros, etc.

Remember, what we call the menu, they call la carte, and what we call the daily specials, they call le menu.

Also remember the three tier system for coffee and other beverages. They are cheapest at the bar, more expensive at an indoor table, and most expensive at an outdoor table, all based on the amount of time folks spend at the various locations.

Bon voyage.

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