What to Order on Your First Visit to a French Restaurant
Your first visit to a French restaurant can be exciting, but let’s be honest — a French menu can sometimes feel like it comes with its own little dictionary.
What exactly are escargots? Is Beef Bourguignon just a fancy beef stew? What is a bisque? And if you’ve never tried French food before, where do you even start?
The good news is that you don’t need to know every French culinary term before sitting down at the table. French dining is about enjoying good ingredients, carefully prepared food and taking your time over a meal.
If you’re wondering what to order at a French restaurant, starting with a few classic dishes is an easy way to discover the cuisine without feeling overwhelmed.
For diners visiting La Majestic in Windsor, the menu brings together French-inspired classics with broader European influences, including French Onion Soup, Escargots de Bourgogne, Lobster Bisque, Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin and a selection of seafood and desserts.
So, whether you’re completely new to French food in Melbourne or simply want to try something different on your next night out, here’s a simple guide to ordering your first French-inspired meal.
Start With a Classic French Starter
A good starter sets the mood for the rest of the meal. If you’re visiting a French restaurant for the first time, you don’t necessarily need to choose the most adventurous dish on the menu.
Instead, look for something that gives you a taste of traditional French cooking.
French Onion Soup
French Onion Soup is probably one of the easiest places to begin.
It’s familiar, comforting and unmistakably French. At La Majestic, the soup features rich caramelised onion broth topped with melted Gruyère and toasted baguette.
The combination of sweet caramelised onions, savoury broth, melted cheese and crisp bread creates several textures and flavours in one bowl.
If you’re searching for French dishes for beginners, this is a particularly approachable choice.
It’s also a good example of how French cooking can turn simple ingredients into something deeply satisfying.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Now, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, this is where things get interesting.
Escargots de Bourgogne are Burgundy-style snails and are one of the dishes most strongly associated with French dining.
At La Majestic, they are cooked in parsley-garlic butter and served with baguette.
Don’t let the word “snails” put you off before you’ve tried them. The flavour is often influenced heavily by the preparation, particularly the garlic, herbs and butter.
If you’re visiting a French restaurant in Melbourne with friends, ordering escargots to share can also be a fun way to try something new together.
Lobster Bisque
If seafood is more your thing, Lobster Bisque is another option.
La Majestic’s version is prepared with Armagnac and cream and served with crispy baguette and lobster medallion.
A bisque is a rich, smooth style of seafood soup traditionally associated with French cuisine.
It’s a good choice if you enjoy creamy seafood flavours and want something a little more indulgent.
What Should You Order for Your Main Course?
This is where a French restaurant menu can become even more interesting.
French cuisine has plenty of dishes that are slow-cooked, richly flavoured and designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
At La Majestic, several classic options make particularly good introductions to French-inspired dining.
Beef Bourguignon
If you enjoy hearty food, Beef Bourguignon is an easy place to start.
This classic French dish consists of beef slowly braised with Burgundy and beef stock, along with ingredients such as carrot, onion, garlic and bouquet garni.
At La Majestic, it is served with pearl onions, mushrooms and creamy mashed potato.
The result is rich, warming and comforting.
In fact, if you’ve never tried French food before, Beef Bourguignon can feel surprisingly familiar. It has the comforting character of a traditional beef stew, but the French cooking style gives it a deeper and more distinctive flavour.
If you’d like to understand the story behind this dish before ordering it, you can also read our guide to Beef Bourguignon and its French culinary history.
Coq au Vin
Another classic choice is Coq au Vin.
The name literally refers to chicken cooked with wine, and the dish is traditionally prepared by slowly braising chicken in red wine along with aromatic ingredients.
La Majestic’s version combines chicken with red wine, brandy, mushrooms and pearl onions and is served with roasted potato wedges.
If you prefer chicken to beef, Coq au Vin is an excellent alternative to Beef Bourguignon.
It’s also a great example of how French cuisine uses slow cooking to develop flavour.
Ratatouille
Not every French dish needs to be meat-heavy.
If you’re looking for a vegetable-based option, Ratatouille is a classic French dish worth knowing.
Traditionally associated with southern France, ratatouille is made with vegetables and herbs and can vary depending on the recipe.
La Majestic serves its Ratatouille with saffron pilaf.
It’s a useful reminder that French cuisine includes plenty of vegetable-focused dishes alongside its famous meat and seafood preparations.
Love Seafood? French Cuisine Has Plenty to Offer
One common misconception about French food is that it is mostly about rich sauces, meat and cheese.
French and European cooking also have a strong relationship with seafood, particularly given France’s extensive coastline.
La Majestic’s menu reflects this with several seafood options.
Mussels Marinière
Mussels Marinière are a classic French seafood preparation.
The term “Marinière” is associated with a style of cooking mussels with aromatic ingredients and wine.
At La Majestic, the mussels are cooked in a creamy white wine sauce and served with buttery tomato confit and pilaf.
If you’re a seafood lover and wondering what to order at a French restaurant, this can be a great alternative to the more familiar beef and chicken dishes.
Grilled Lobster Tail
For something a little more indulgent, La Majestic also offers a grilled lobster tail served with mushroom risotto and garlic butter.
This is a good choice for a special dinner when you want seafood to be the centre of the meal.
Moreton Bay Bugs Risotto
If you’d like to try something with a distinctly Australian ingredient while still enjoying a European-style dish, the menu also includes Moreton Bay Bugs Risotto with a creamy prawn sauce.
It’s an interesting example of how a restaurant can combine European culinary influences with local Australian ingredients.
How to Choose Between French Dishes
Still can’t decide?
Don’t overthink it. Start with what you already enjoy.
If you love beef:
Try Beef Bourguignon.
You’ll get tender slow-cooked beef, rich sauce, mushrooms and creamy mashed potato.
If you prefer chicken:
Go for Coq au Vin.
The wine-based sauce and slow cooking give the chicken a deeper flavour than a typical grilled chicken dish.
If you love seafood:
Consider Mussels Marinière, Lobster Bisque or Grilled Lobster Tail.
If you’re vegetarian:
Ratatouille provides a vegetable-focused option, served with saffron pilaf at La Majestic.
If you’re feeling adventurous:
Try Escargots de Bourgogne.
They’re one of those dishes that make for a memorable first French dining experience.
Don’t Forget the Dessert
A French-inspired dinner doesn’t have to end when the main course is finished.
Dessert is part of the fun.
La Majestic’s current dessert menu includes Dark Chocolate Mousse, Tiramisu, and Cheese & Semolina Cake.
Dark Chocolate Mousse
If you’re a chocolate lover, the Dark Chocolate Mousse is an easy choice.
The dessert is described as light and airy, with an intense chocolate flavour and a soft, melting texture.
It’s particularly well suited to diners who want something rich without choosing a very heavy dessert.
Tiramisu
Tiramisu is technically Italian rather than French, but it fits naturally into a menu that brings together broader European influences.
La Majestic’s version combines coffee and mascarpone flavours.
It’s a good example of why it’s useful to look beyond the word “French” when exploring La Majestic. The restaurant brings together French and modern European influences rather than limiting the menu to one culinary tradition.
How Many Courses Should You Order?
There’s no rule saying you need to order a huge meal.
If you’re trying French cuisine for the first time, a simple three-course structure can work beautifully:
Starter → Main Course → Dessert
For example:
French Onion Soup → Beef Bourguignon → Dark Chocolate Mousse
Or:
Escargots de Bourgogne → Coq au Vin → Tiramisu
If you’re dining with someone else, sharing starters can also give you the opportunity to taste more than one dish without making the meal too heavy.
The idea isn’t to order everything.
It’s to choose dishes that let you enjoy different flavours and textures at a comfortable pace.
What Should You Drink With French Food?
Drinks can complement a meal, but you don’t need to become a wine expert before ordering dinner.
If you enjoy wine, ask the restaurant team about a pairing that works with your chosen dish.
For richer dishes such as Beef Bourguignon, a suitable red wine can complement the depth of the meal. Seafood dishes may work better with lighter or more refreshing choices.
You can also simply choose a drink you already enjoy.
Good dining isn’t an exam.
What If You Don’t Know How to Pronounce the Dish?
This is probably one of the most relatable concerns for anyone trying French food for the first time.
Don’t worry about it.
Restaurants are there to help you enjoy your meal, not test your French pronunciation.
If you’re unsure about a dish, simply point to it on the menu or ask your server what they recommend.
You can also ask questions such as:
“What would you recommend for someone trying French food for the first time?”
or
“Is this dish rich or light?”
or
“What does this dish taste like?”
Those questions can make ordering much easier.
What to Order for a French Date Night
French food and a relaxed dinner setting naturally lend themselves to date nights and special occasions.
If you’re planning a dinner for two, you could begin with a starter to share, choose different mains and finish with dessert.
For example:
To share: Escargots de Bourgogne
Main 1: Beef Bourguignon
Main 2: Mussels Marinière
Dessert: Dark Chocolate Mousse
Of course, there is no “correct” combination. The best meal is simply one that matches what you both enjoy.
For diners looking for a French restaurant in Melbourne for a date night, La Majestic is located on High Street in Windsor, close to the Chapel Street dining and entertainment precinct.
A Simple First-Timer’s French Restaurant Order
If you’re still unsure, here’s the easy version.
Option 1: Classic & Comforting
Starter: French Onion Soup
Main: Beef Bourguignon
Dessert: Dark Chocolate Mousse
Option 2: Seafood Lover
Starter: Lobster Bisque
Main: Mussels Marinière
Dessert: Cheese & Semolina Cake
Option 3: Something Adventurous
Starter: Escargots de Bourgogne
Main: Coq au Vin
Dessert: Dark Chocolate Mousse
Option 4: Share With Friends
Choose two or three starters to share, then order different mains so everyone can experience a little more of the menu.
Before visiting, you can explore the full La Majestic menu and see what’s currently available.
French Dining Doesn’t Have to Feel Intimidating
The biggest mistake you can make on your first visit to a French restaurant is worrying too much about ordering the “right” thing.
There isn’t one perfect French dish for everyone.
Maybe you’re the person who wants to try escargots immediately. Maybe you’re happier starting with French Onion Soup. Maybe Beef Bourguignon sounds like exactly what you want after reading about it.
That’s the fun of exploring a new cuisine.
French food has plenty of famous dishes, but there is no requirement to know all of them before sitting down at the table.
Start with something familiar, ask questions, try something new when you’re ready and give yourself time to enjoy the experience.
Ready to Explore French Food in Melbourne?
If your first French restaurant experience is still waiting to happen, why not make it an enjoyable one?
At La Majestic, the menu brings together French classics and modern European flavours, from French Onion Soup and Escargots de Bourgogne to Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, seafood and European desserts.
Located at 412 High Street, Windsor, La Majestic is close to the Chapel Street precinct and offers a relaxed setting for dinner, celebrations, date nights and evenings with friends.
Explore the La Majestic Menu and discover what you’d like to try on your first visit.
Ready to experience it in person? Book your table at La Majestic and make your next dinner a chance to explore French and European flavours in Windsor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at a French restaurant for the first time?
For a first visit, try a familiar French classic such as French Onion Soup, followed by Beef Bourguignon or Coq au Vin. If you enjoy seafood, Lobster Bisque or Mussels Marinière are also options at La Majestic.
What is the best French dish for beginners?
There is no single dish that suits everyone, but French Onion Soup and Beef Bourguignon are approachable choices because their flavours and ingredients are relatively familiar.
What are some traditional French dishes to try?
Some well-known French dishes include French Onion Soup, Escargots de Bourgogne, Beef Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Ratatouille and various seafood preparations.
What are escargots?
Escargots are edible snails traditionally prepared in French cuisine. At La Majestic, Escargots de Bourgogne are cooked in parsley-garlic butter and served with baguette.
What is Beef Bourguignon?
Beef Bourguignon is a traditional French beef dish in which beef is slowly braised with Burgundy wine, stock, vegetables and herbs. La Majestic serves its version with mushrooms, pearl onions and creamy mashed potato.
Is French food always heavy?
Not at all. French cuisine includes hearty slow-cooked dishes, but also soups, seafood, vegetables, salads and lighter preparations. A menu such as La Majestic’s offers a variety of choices depending on your preference.
What should I order if I don’t eat meat?
Vegetable and seafood choices can be considered depending on your dietary preferences. La Majestic currently lists Ratatouille among its mains, as well as several seafood dishes.
Where can I try French food in Melbourne?
La Majestic is located at 412 High Street, Windsor, and offers French and modern European dishes including French Onion Soup, Escargots de Bourgogne, Beef Bourguignon and Coq au Vin.
Where can I see the La Majestic menu?
You can view the current La Majestic menu online before visiting.
How can I book a table at La Majestic?
You can book a table through La Majestic’s website and choose your preferred dining time.