“A la carte” is one of those phrases people see on menus all the time, but many are not completely sure what it really means. It sounds fancy and French, yet it has a simple, practical purpose in everyday life.
This article will walk through what “a la carte” means, where it comes from, how it works in restaurants and beyond, and what it implies for price, choice, and experience.
The literal meaning of “a la carte”
“A la carte” is a French phrase that literally translates to “according to the card” or “by the menu.”
In practice, it means:
- Items are ordered separately
- Each item has its own individual price
- You choose exactly what you want, piece by piece, rather than as part of a set meal
So if a restaurant menu says “Fries a la carte,” that means you are ordering just the fries on their own, not as part of a combo or meal deal.
A la carte vs set menus
It is easiest to understand “a la carte” by comparing it to the opposite approach: a fixed or set menu.
- A la carte
- You choose each item separately
- Every dish or side has its own price
- You can customize your meal by mixing and matching
- Table d’hôte or set menu
- Also called a fixed price menu or “prix fixe”
- You pay one set price for a group of items
- For example: soup + main dish + dessert for a single fixed amount
When you see a menu that offers “3 courses for $40,” that is a set menu. When you see a long list of dishes, each with its own price, that is a la carte.
How a la carte works in restaurants
You will often see “a la carte” appear in a few common ways.
1. Sides and extras
Menus may list side dishes like:
- Fries – a la carte
- Side salad – a la carte
- Grilled vegetables – a la carte
That means they are separate from any main dish. If you want them, you add them individually and pay extra for each one.
2. Build your own meals
Some places use a la carte so you can build a meal completely from scratch:
- Choose your protein
- Choose your sauce
- Choose your sides
You might end up with a main dish, two sides, and a drink, each priced separately. There is no “combo” price that bundles everything together.
3. Fine dining and specialty items
In higher end restaurants, steaks, seafood, and specialty dishes are often priced a la carte. The main plate might come with nothing or very minimal accompaniments. Sides like mashed potatoes, asparagus, or truffle fries will be listed and priced on their own, encouraging you to craft your own pairing.
Why restaurants use a la carte pricing
There are a few reasons a la carte menus are popular.
- Flexibility for the customer
You are not forced into paying for parts of a meal you do not want. If you only want a steak and a glass of water, you can just order that. - Clear cost structure
Every item has its own price. This helps you see what each part of the meal costs and lets you adjust your order to fit your budget. - Less waste
When people are forced into set meals, they often leave sides or extras uneaten. A la carte lets them only order what they will actually eat. - More control for the restaurant
Restaurants can price premium items and sides precisely, instead of hiding them inside a bundle. This can make pricing more accurate and sometimes more profitable.
When a la carte might cost more
Although a la carte gives you control, it can sometimes cost more than a combo or set menu.
For example:
- Burger: $9 a la carte
- Fries: $4 a la carte
- Drink: $3 a la carte
Total: $16
But the combo might be:
- Burger + fries + drink combo: $13
In that case, ordering a la carte costs more because you are buying each component separately instead of taking advantage of the bundled discount.
So a la carte is not automatically cheaper or more expensive. It simply means “separate items with separate prices.” The total cost depends on what and how much you choose.
A la carte beyond food
The idea of “a la carte” has spread beyond restaurants and is now used in many other areas where people can pick and choose individual items instead of a bundle.
Some examples:
- Television and streaming
Instead of a large cable package with hundreds of channels, some services offer an a la carte model where you pay for individual channels, shows, or streaming services. - Education and training
Instead of enrolling in a full program, you might pay a la carte for individual courses, modules, or workshops. - Software and apps
Instead of buying a huge software suite, you might pay separately for single features or tools you need.
In each case, the concept is the same: you are not forced into a bundle. You assemble what you want from separate, individually priced options.
When choosing a la carte makes sense
Opting for a la carte can be a smart choice when:
- You are a light eater and do not want full portions or extra sides
- You only care about one part of the offer, like the main dish or a specific service
- You want to control your budget by dropping anything unnecessary
- You enjoy customizing and building your own combinations
On the other hand, a set menu might make more sense when:
- You like a balanced, complete meal and want an easy choice
- You are hungry and want multiple courses
- The set price offers clear savings compared to ordering everything a la carte
Summary
“A la carte” is a simple idea hidden behind a fancy phrase:
- It literally means “by the menu” or “according to the card”
- You order items separately, each with its own price
- It gives more flexibility and control, but is not always cheaper
- The concept applies not just to food but to TV, software, education, and more
Whenever you see “a la carte,” you can think: “I pick exactly what I want, and I pay for each part on its own.”
