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

For operators, that points to a first-time audience willing to try a new format built around drinks a cafe already sells. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

There’s also been a surge of cafes throughout the US dedicated to beverages using one particular ingredient, the root of the Piper methysticum plant, which originated in the South Pacific. — Esther Tseng, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

Its most popular drinks include the cafe’s matcha banana cream latte, strawberry matcha and double matcha. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026

This year, the Time Out publishing group has voted Seoul’s Jongno 3-Ga the world’s coolest neighborhood, highlighting its cute shops and cafes as well as its Instagram-ready scenery. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 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