menu du jour
masculine
The English phrase "set menu" can be translated into French as menu du jour.
In French restaurants, menu du jour is the standard way to refer to a fixed-price meal consisting of a starter, main course and dessert (or similar combinations) offered at a special rate.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase menu du jour literally translates to "menu of the day".
Which one should you use?
While 'set menu' in English can refer to a fixed price for a multi-course meal, menu du jour specifically implies a fixed selection of dishes that changes daily.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term menu du jour is a masculine noun.
Did you know?
- If you ask for a menu in a French restaurant, you are asking for the fixed-price set meal. To ask for the full list of available dishes, you should ask for la carte.
- The word menu shares a common ancestor with the English word 'minute', both descending from the Latin 'minūtus', meaning 'small' or 'detailed'.
- In a French restaurant, if you want a set menu with a fixed price, you might also ask for a formule.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi, est-ce que vous proposez un menu fixe ce soir ?Excuse me, do you offer a set menu tonight?
- Nous aimerions réserver une table pour deux pour ce soir. Avez-vous un menu à prix fixe ?We would like to reserve a table for two tonight. Do you have a set menu?
- Je souhaite essayer votre formule du jour.I would like to try your set menu of the day.
- Quel est le menu du jour, s'il vous plaît ?What is today's set menu, please?
- Quel est le menu du jour ?What is the menu of the day?
- Je vais prendre le menu du jour.I will take the set menu.
- Le menu du jour est très abordable.The set menu is very affordable.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are ordering lunch at a bistro.
- ManonQu'est-ce que tu veux manger, Hugo ?What do you want to eat, Hugo?
- HugoJe pense choisir le menu du jour.I think I'll choose the set menu.
- ManonC'est une bonne idée, c'est moins cher.That's a good idea, it's cheaper.
- HugoOui, et ça a l'air délicieux.Yes, and it looks delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “set menu” translations and entries menu du jour, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, jour, menu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
