café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā 

kə-

variants or less commonly cafe

often attributive

1

: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee)

broadly : restaurant

2

: barroom

3

: cabaret, nightclub

CAFE

2 of 2

abbreviation

ka-ˈfā 

corporate average fuel economy

Synonyms of café

Noun

• cabaret
• nightclub
• club
• bistro

Examples of café in a Sentence

Noun

the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting

a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Zermatt is compact, scenic, and blissfully free of traffic noise, so strolling between cafes, shops, and trailheads is half the fun. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

The Fort Worth dining scene is shifting fast this summer, with bakery debuts, steakhouse soft openings and a Botanic Garden cafe overhaul all in motion. — Ryan J. Rusak, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

The cafe is a great place to take some time for yourself. — Eva Flowe june 27, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2026

The guests keep coming; the sea, beaches, cafes, and tourist infrastructure are working. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French café coffee, café, from Turkish kahve — more at coffee

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing café

• café au lait
• café au lait spot
• pavement café
• pousse-café
• sidewalk café
• transport café

Kids Definition

café

noun

ca·​fé

variants also cafe

ka-ˈfā 

kə-

1

: a usually small restaurant

2

: barroom

3

: nightclub