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Cafe Menu

Menu Meaning and Common Menu Words

The menu meaning in Hindi is व्यंजन सूची (vyanjan soochi), which literally means "list of dishes". In everyday Hindi, people simply say मेन्यू (menyoo) or मेनू, borrowed from English. A menu is the list of food and drinks a restaurant, cafe or event offers, often with prices.

This page covers how to pronounce menu, its meaning in other Indian languages, and the common menu words you will see on cards: a la carte, table d'hote, prix fixe, buffet, starters, main course and more.

A la carte menu meaning

A la carte (French: "from the card") means each dish is listed and priced separately, and you order exactly what you want. Most cafes and restaurants in India run an a la carte menu.

In Hindi, an a la carte menu can be described as अलग-अलग दाम वाला मेन्यू, a menu where each item has its own price.

ItemTypePrice (Rs)Note
Tomato soupVegPriced separately
Paneer tikkaVegPriced separately
Dal makhaniVegPriced separately
Butter naanVegPriced separately
Gulab jamunVegPriced separately

Table d'hote and prix fixe menu

Table d'hote (French: "table of the host") is a set menu: a fixed number of courses, chosen by the kitchen, for one fixed price. You may get a small choice within each course. Prix fixe ("fixed price") means much the same thing.

The Indian thali is the most familiar table d'hote meal: one price, a fixed set of dishes, often with refills.

Indian table d'hote menu sample

  1. Soup: tomato shorba
  2. Starter: hara bhara kabab
  3. Main: paneer butter masala, dal tadka, jeera rice, 2 rotis
  4. Accompaniments: salad, raita, papad
  5. Dessert: gulab jamun

A la carte vs table d'hote

A la carteTable d'hote
PricingEach item priced separatelyOne price for the whole meal
ChoiceFull choice from the menuFixed courses, little choice
SpeedCooked to order, can take longerFaster, kitchen preps in advance
ExampleOrdering dishes in a cafeThali, set lunch, banquet meal

Buffet, function and other menu types

  • Buffet menu: dishes are laid out and guests serve themselves, usually for one price. Common at weddings and hotels.
  • Function menu: a menu planned for an event such as a wedding, birthday or office party, agreed in advance with the caterer.
  • Cyclical menu: a menu that repeats on a cycle, such as a weekly hostel or canteen menu.
  • Static menu: the same menu every day, like most cafes.
  • Du jour menu: dishes of the day, often on a board.
  • Californian menu: breakfast, lunch and dinner items available all day.
  • Children's menu: smaller, milder portions for kids.
  • Dessert menu: a separate card with sweets and after-meal drinks.
  • Beverage menu: a list of drinks only.
  • Tasting menu: many small courses chosen by the chef.

For wedding and event menus, see the wedding menu card page.

Questions and answers

What is menu called in Hindi?

In everyday Hindi it is मेन्यू (menyoo), the same word as English. The formal Hindi word is व्यंजन सूची (vyanjan soochi), meaning list of dishes.

How do you pronounce menu?

MEN-yoo, with the stress on the first syllable.

What is the meaning of a la carte menu?

A menu where each dish is priced separately and you order only what you want.

What is a table d'hote menu?

A set menu with fixed courses at one price. An Indian thali is a common example.

What is the difference between a buffet and a table d'hote menu?

In a buffet, guests serve themselves from many dishes. In table d'hote, a fixed set of courses is served to the guest.

What does menu mean in Bengali?

Bengali speakers usually say মেনু (menu). A formal word is খাদ্যতালিকা (khadyotalika), meaning food list.

Last checked: 14 October 2026