Country menu guides
How to read a menu abroad: country menu guides
Every country lays out its menus differently, and the surprises are usually in the small print: a cover charge in Italy, a menú del día in Spain, an otoshi in Japan, "++" after prices in Thailand. Each guide below explains how the menu is structured, the words you'll actually see, what ends up on the bill, the allergen traps of that cuisine and the phrases to order.
All guides
- How to read a menu in FranceA French menu (la carte) runs entrées (starters — not mains), plats (main courses), fromages (cheese) and desserts. Most restaurants also offer a…
- How to read a menu in GreeceA Greek taverna menu (κατάλογος, katálogos) runs from small plates and dips (mezédes) and salads to ready-cooked dishes of the day (mageireftá),…
- How to read a menu in ItalyAn Italian menu is laid out in courses: antipasti (starters), primi (pasta, risotto, soup), secondi (meat or fish), contorni (side dishes, ordered…
- How to read a menu in JapanJapanese menus are grouped by dish type or cooking method, not by courses: set meals (teishoku) and rice bowls at lunch, and at an izakaya a long…
- How to read a menu in MexicoA Mexican menu usually starts with entradas (starters) and soups, then antojitos — corn-based snacks such as tacos, quesadillas and sopes — and…
- How to read a menu in PortugalA Portuguese menu (ementa or carta) usually opens with entradas and sopas, then splits the mains into peixe (fish) and carne (meat), followed by…
- How to read a menu in SpainA Spanish restaurant menu (la carta) runs from entrantes (starters) through primeros and segundos (first and main courses) to postres (desserts),…
- How to read a menu in ThailandA Thai menu is grouped by type of dish rather than by course: salads (yam), soups and curries (tom, kaeng), stir-fries (phat), fried and grilled…
Menu terms used everywhere
- Cover charge vs service charge vs tipA cover charge is a fixed amount per person for sitting down, usually covering bread and the place setting. A service charge is a percentage of…
- What do GF, V and VG mean on a menu?Menu symbols are shortcuts for diets and allergens: GF means gluten-free, GFO a gluten-free option on request, V vegetarian, VG or VE vegan, DF…
- What does MP (market price) mean on a menu?"MP" or "market price" in place of a price means the dish has no fixed price: it changes with the day's catch or supply, so the restaurant tells…
What each guide covers
- Menu structure — the sections in the order they appear, and how many courses people really order.
- Menu words — 40 to 80 terms printed on real menus, with meanings and, for Japanese, Thai and Greek, romanization.
- Charges and tipping — cover, bread and service charges, tax-inclusive prices, and what's normal to leave.
- Allergen traps — where nuts, fish, gluten, dairy and other common allergens hide in that cuisine. These are general patterns that vary from kitchen to kitchen: always ask the staff.
- Phrases — short, polite lines for ordering, asking about ingredients and getting the bill.
Menu terms and charges explained
Some words deserve a page of their own because they change what you pay. Start with cover vs. service charge, market price (MP, S.Q.) and menu symbols such as GF, V and VG, or go straight to coperto, menú del día, otoshi and plus-plus (++) prices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a menu in a foreign language?
Start with the structure: find the section headings, which tell you the course and the type of dish. Then look for cooking words (grilled, fried, raw) and main ingredients, and check the small print for cover, service and tax notes. A menu-translation app can translate the whole page from a photo when the words are unfamiliar.
Which countries add a cover or service charge to restaurant bills?
Italy (coperto, sometimes servizio), Portugal (couvert, if you eat it), Greece (bread, only with your consent) and Japan (otoshi at izakaya) are the common cases among our guides, while Thailand adds service and VAT where prices end in "++". In France and Spain, consumer rules require displayed prices to include service and tax already. Each country guide explains the details.
Do I need to tip in restaurants abroad?
It depends on the country. In Japan, tipping isn't customary. In Italy, Spain, France, Portugal and Greece, a tip is optional and usually small, such as rounding up. In Mexico, a tip of typically 10–15% is customary at sit-down restaurants, though it's voluntary by law. Each guide covers the local norm.
