🎧 Audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a native speaker & professional voice artist from France
I’ve been teaching French since 2014, and one question that comes up again and again is how to order a steak in France. Many students get confused by the doneness levels and the different names of steak cuts found on French menus.
In France, steak is generally eaten rare or medium rare. What many consider undercooked is completely normal to the French, and asking for a well-done steak can earn you a raised eyebrow from the waiter.
This lesson breaks everything down clearly — how to order steak in French, what each doneness level means, and all the key vocabulary (with audio).
🥩 French Steak Doneness Levels — Ordering Like a Local
When ordering steak in France, it’s important to know how to describe how you’d like it cooked. The following table shows the most common French steak doneness levels and their English equivalents — from extra rare (bleu) to very well done (très bien cuit).
| French Term | Literal Meaning | English Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| bleu | blue | extra rare / very rare | Seared outside, almost raw inside |
| saignant | bleeding | rare | Warm but still red and juicy |
| à point | to the point | medium | Cooked but still pink |
| bien cuit | well cooked | well done | Cooked through, little to no pink |
| très bien cuit / très cuit | very well cooked | very well done | Very firm, often dry |
🧑🍳 Ordering a Steak in France — Useful French Phrases
Je prendrai un steak bien bleu — juste saisi, s’il vous plaît.
I’ll have my steak very rare — just seared, please.
Je voudrais une entrecôte saignante, s’il vous plaît.
I’d like a rare ribeye, please.
J’aime mon steak à point. C’est délicieux !
I like my steak medium — it’s delicious!
Je préfère mon steak bien cuit… même si les Français me jugent !
I prefer my steak well done… even if the French judge me!
Pour moi, très bien cuit — oui, je sais, les Français vont râler !
For me, very well done — yes, I know, the French will complain!
👉 Explore je voudrais (I’d like) — essential phrase for ordering meals »
🇫🇷 Need help feeling confident ordering food in French?
The À Moi Paris audio course by my friend Camille at French Today teaches you how to handle real-life conversations — from ordering at cafés and restaurants to chatting politely with waiters. You’ll learn natural pronunciation and phrasing you can actually use in France.
👉 Start learning with the course »
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🍷 Bonus Phrases for Ordering Steak
Here are a few extra expressions you can use when ordering at a French restaurant — perfect for sounding natural and polite when speaking with the waiter.
Je voudrais un steak… — I’d like a steak…
Avec des frites, s’il vous plaît. — With fries, please.
Et comme cuisson ? — And how would you like it cooked?
Pas trop cuit, hein ! — Not too cooked, okay?
🥩 French Steak Cuts — Essential Vocabulary
If you’re eating out in France, you’ll often see different steak cuts on the menu — many of which don’t have exact English equivalents. The table below shows the most common French cuts with their closest English translations and a quick note on where or how they’re typically served.
| French Cut | English Equivalent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| entrecôte (f) | ribeye | Most common restaurant steak |
| bavette (f) | flank / skirt steak | Often served in brasseries |
| onglet (m) | hanger steak | Rich flavor, very French |
| faux-filet (m) | sirloin / strip steak | Classic steak-frites cut |
| rumsteck / rumsteak (m) | rump steak | Appears in casual menus |
| côte de bœuf (f) | bone-in rib steak | Often shared for two |
| pavé de bœuf (m) | thick-cut steak | “Pavé” = block of meat |
| filet de bœuf (m) | tenderloin / filet mignon | Premium cut |
📚 Related Lessons on FrenchLearner
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