bistro

noun

bis·​tro ˈbē-(ˌ)strō  ˈbi- 

plural bistros

1

: a small or unpretentious restaurant

2

a

: a small bar or tavern

b

: nightclub

Synonyms of bistro

• nightclub
• cabaret
• club
• café

Examples of bistro in a Sentence

a bistro in Paris that serves veal chops and hearty stews

a section of the city populated with casual bistros offering entertainment to suit nearly every taste

Recent Examples on the Web

Unveiled Thursday in a 1,088-square-foot space inside the Mollie hotel in Aspen, the debut marks the Parisian-style bistro’s first outpost beyond Los Angeles and its third location, following its 2014 launch in an unassuming Hollywood strip mall and a second in Sherman Oaks. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025

The bar and bistro offers a menu filled with salads, soups, fish, meats, and pastas, including an absolutely divine beetroot tagliatelle with crumbly feta and walnuts, that will fuel your winter adventures. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Dec. 2025

This new restaurant called baby bistro. —Supriya Ganesh, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The quaint bistro will serve festive signature cocktails, wine, NA options and snack boards. —Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bistro

noun

bis·​tro ˈbēs-(ˌ)trō  ˈbis- 

: a small or modest restaurant