what does a la carte mean

“A la carte” is a French term that literally means “according to the menu” or “by the card.” In practice, it means each dish is ordered and priced separately rather than as part of a fixed set meal.

Basic meaning

• In restaurants, a la carte means you choose individual dishes from the menu, each with its own price.

• It is the opposite of set menus like “prix fixe” or “table d’hôte,” where you pay one price for several courses together.

How it works when ordering

• If you order a steak a la carte, you are paying just for the steak; side dishes like fries or salad are extra, also ordered separately.

• Sushi by the piece, or choosing only a main without starter or dessert, are common a la carte-style choices.

Where you’ll see the term today

• Most modern restaurants mix a la carte options with specials or set menus, giving diners more flexibility over budget and portion size.

• The phrase is also used more broadly (outside food) to mean picking individual services or features instead of buying a bundle or package.

TL;DR: “A la carte” means you pick and pay for each item separately rather than getting a bundled set meal.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.