À la carte is a French term that means "on the card" or "by the card". In the food and hospitality industry, it refers to the practice of ordering individual dishes from a menu in a restaurant, as opposed to table dhôte, where a set menu is offered. 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.
An à la carte menu allows customers to choose and pay for each dish separately, rather than as part of a pre-set meal. It usually offers an extensive choice of dishes within each course or category. À la carte is usually a plated, sit-down meal, while a buffet can be either sit-down or stand-up.
In summary, à la carte refers to the practice of ordering individual dishes from a menu in a restaurant, as opposed to a set menu, and it allows customers to choose and pay for each dish separately.
