What is an ala cart menu?

À la carte is a French term used in the restaurant industry to describe a menu where each dish is listed separately and priced individually. This is in contrast to a set menu, where a fixed number of courses are offered at a set price.

À la carte menus typically offer a wider variety of dishes than set menus, and diners have more freedom to choose what they want to eat. This can be an advantage for diners who have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, or who simply want to try a variety of different dishes. However, à la carte menus can also be more expensive than set menus, as diners are paying for each dish individually.

À la carte menus are common in fine-dining restaurants, where diners are willing to pay a premium for the opportunity to choose their own dishes. They can also be found in some casual restaurants, especially those that offer a wide variety of dishes.