A La Carte Vs Buffet: What's The Difference?

Dining out, while usually a pleasant experience, can also be complicated. Seating arrangements, various menus, and wine lists can sometimes feel overwhelming. Certain restaurants and hotels can offer both a la carte and buffet dining, so it's important to know the distinction between the two to choose the best option for you, depending on your budget and appetite. While both types of experiences will leave you full, there are some key differences between a la carte and buffet dining.

Translated from French, the phrase "a la carte" simply means on the card. However, in English and in modern times, a la carte refers to a menu of different items that are all available and priced individually, with no obligation to order a specific number of items. An a la carte menu differs from a tasting menu, where a set number of dishes, usually a multi-course affair, are grouped together for one overall price. 

Although famed French chef Auguste Escoffier paved the way for a la carte dining, it's now extremely common among both casual and fancier restaurants alike. Dining a la carte is a more structured dining experience, where you order from a server and then are later served the dishes while you remain seated at your table. You are able to order as much or as little as you like, and your bill at the end of the meal will reflect a total of all the items you and your companions ordered.

The word "buffet" also has French origins. It originally referred to a lower-height sideboard or table that stored plates, china, and the like. The term has since evolved from denoting furniture to mean a style of serving food in larger quantities displayed and available all at once, usually for a set price. While buffets can be fancy, they are sometimes thought of as more casual, as you leave your table to get the food.

Depending on the buffet, you can either serve yourself directly, or there will be staff stationed at the platters and chafing dishes who will be ready to serve you. A buffet can be full of finger foods and light snacks, or it can include a wide array of hot and cold options, both sweet and savory, from appetizers to desserts. There are many foods that make excellent buffet items, but some foods like sushi can be a risk if not properly stored at the right temperatures.

With a buffet, the sky is the limit. When it comes to the amount of food you can bring back to your table, you can try as many items as your heart desires since buffets tend to be unlimited or all-you-can-eat. A buffet is also great if you want to sample a little bit of everything, rather than committing to only one or two specific dishes, and you're able to see all the food available before you select it. Don't let your eyes betray your stomach, though, as you can get full too fast at a buffet.