What Is a 5-Course Meal? The Courses Explained
If you've booked a five-course dinner and want to know what's coming, the short answer is: five small plates served one after another, in a fixed order, usually over 90 minutes to two hours. Here's what each course is for.
The five courses, in order
| Course | What it is | Why it's there |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amuse-bouche or appetiser | One or two bites from the kitchen | Wakes up the palate and sets the tone |
| 2. Soup | A small bowl, often the lightest thing on the menu | Warms you up without filling you |
| 3. Salad or starter | Something fresh or sharp | Clears the palate before the heaviest course |
| 4. Main course | The largest plate, protein or a substantial vegetarian dish | The centre of the meal |
| 5. Dessert | Sweet, small, plated | Closes the meal |
Some kitchens vary this: a fish course before the main, a palate cleanser such as sorbet between the salad and the main, or cheese before dessert. In India, a five-course Indian menu often runs a soup, a kebab or tandoori course, a main with breads, a rice course, and dessert.
How it compares to 3 and 7-course menus
- Three courses: starter, main, dessert. About an hour. The standard set menu for a candlelight dinner.
- Five courses: the full sequence above. 90 minutes to two hours. Common at poolside and cabana dinners.
- Seven courses: adds a fish course, a palate cleanser, or a cheese course. Two to three hours, and usually the top tier of a menu.
How to eat a five-course meal
- Pace yourself. Each course is small, but five of them add up. Don't fill up on bread in the first twenty minutes.
- Cutlery works outside in. Start with the outermost fork and knife and work inward with each course.
- Tell them about dietary needs when you book. A set menu is planned in advance, so it can't usually be changed on the night.
- Allow enough time. Don't book a five-course dinner an hour before a film.
Where to book a five-course dinner in India
- Nemesia Gurugram, five-course candlelight dinner — ₹2,399
- Country Inn Bengaluru, rooftop five courses — ₹3,824
- Marriott Jaipur, five courses under the stars — ₹4,049
- Ellaa Hotel Hyderabad, five courses — ₹4,749
- The Plaza Hyderabad, poolside five courses — ₹5,699
- Hyatt Place Gurugram, five courses — ₹6,649
For a seven-course menu, the balcony dinner in Jaipur at ₹2,999 and the seven-course dinner with drinks at Pa Pa Ya Mumbai at ₹2,625 are the best value in the country.
Frequently asked questions
What are the courses in a 5-course meal?
Appetiser, soup, salad or starter, main course and dessert, served in that order.
How long does a 5-course dinner take?
Usually 90 minutes to two hours.
Is a 5-course meal a lot of food?
Less than it sounds. The portions are small, and the total is close to an ordinary three-course dinner, spread over more plates.
Can a 5-course menu be vegetarian?
Yes. Many hotels run a full vegetarian version, sometimes at the same price.