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

Now named Ranchman’s by Marty B, the historic cafe in Ponder, 6 miles west of I-35W, has added a sprawling new bar and patio. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

Tshnieder first co-founded Saba with Laura Quintana as a surf wax and apparel brand in 2022, and opened the cafe on Venice Boulevard in 2024. — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Onboard Dining The Coast Starlight has a cafe service, where passengers can enjoy a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items, along with snacks, wine, beer, spirits, and nonalcoholic beverages. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026

Mandazis, ginger rice congee and crispy lentil kofte can be found in a new cafe, run by the nonprofit organization MAKE Projects, which opened at the end of June with a mission to empower immigrant and refugee women. — Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 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