FAQs
: with a separate price for each item on the menu or list. an à la carte dinner. Etymology. from French à la carte, literally "by the bill of fare"
What does a la carte all-inclusive mean? ›
It means you order the dishes you want from the menu, rather than get them yourself buffet style, and it is still all-inclusive.
What is a la carte in English examples? ›
Examples from the Collins Corpus
- You only pay extra if you opt for the à la carte menu.
- The à la carte menu is launched four times a year to complement the seasons.
- The restaurant still offers à la carte menus for its lunch service.
- Dining includes a choice of buffet and à la carte menu options.
What does a la carte mean legal? ›
The term "a-la-carte legal services" comes from clients ordering their legal services off a menu, instead of taking the full package of traditionally offered services.
What is the meaning of Carte in Spanish? ›
menu; bill of fare; card; carte du jour; bill.
Is à la carte French or Spanish? ›
Borrowed from French à la carte (“on the menu; according to the card”).
Does a la carte mean all you can eat? ›
How Is A La Carte Different From Buffet? A la carte is a type of service where each item on the menu is ordered and served separately, while a buffet is a type of meal where food is placed in a public area and diners serve themselves.
What is the difference between a la carte and all-inclusive? ›
Vacation packages offered by all-inclusive resorts usually include accommodation, meals, drinks, and other services. A la carte resorts, rather than having a set package, allow you to choose which amenities or services you'd like included.
Does a la carte only refer to food? ›
For example, a restaurant might offer an a la carte menu, which allows customers to choose and order individual items rather than a pre-set meal. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to any situation in which items or services are offered individually rather than as part of a package.
Why do people say a la carte? ›
It is an early 19th century loan from French meaning "according to the menu". Steak à la carte, with no side dish or garnish; these must be requested separately. The individual dishes to be ordered may include side dishes, or the side dishes may be offered separately, in which case, they are also considered à la carte.
Key Difference – Buffet vs A la Carte
In buffet style, food is placed in a public place, and the diners can serve themselves as they like. In contrast, a la carte is a plated, sit-down meal, which is served by waiters. This is the key difference between buffet and a la carte.
What is the difference between a la carte and regular menu? ›
Since an a la carte menu is a separate dish from the plate of a main menu, it, therefore, means that the pricing will also be individual and different from that of the main menu. In most cases, the pricing will be lowered because the amount of ingredients is also reduced.
What is the opposite of a la carte? ›
The literal meaning of the French phrase is "by the card," although it's used in both languages to mean "according to the menu." The opposite of a la carte is a table d'hôte, or "meal served at a fixed price."
What does a la carte mean UK? ›
Oxford, United Kingdom. A la carte refers to choosing off the menu - choose what you want and pay the individual menu prices for each item.
What is the short form of a la carte? ›
ALC stands for a la carte.
Is a la carte free in all-inclusive? ›
This is included with the price you pay for your All-Inclusive trip. HOWEVER: You may see some items on the menu that have an additional charge next to it, such as premium or also called "Top Shelf" drinks, or the New York Steak, or the Lobster Tails for example. It depends from resort to resort.
What does a la carte at a resort mean? ›
A la carte is the member dining experience within the club. The French phrase “a la carte” translates as “according to the card”, which in this case, refers to the menu. An a la carte menu composes all the items available in a club's restaurant.
Does a la carte mean the price of an entire meal? ›
What does the French phrase "a la carte" mean? “off the menu” meaning each item may ordered individually and priced separately, as opposed to a ''menu à prix fixe” where courses are put together for you by the chef and priced together as a complete meal.