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

Toastique was founded in 2018 by Brianna Keefe, a former college athlete whose love for juicing, smoothies and health food turned into a dream of opening a health cafe. — Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Its Mountain View, California headquarters—a sprawling campus with cafes, volleyball courts, and miles of biking paths for tens of thousands of workers to enjoy—is still the heart of Google’s operations. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 22 July 2026

Splash pads and public pools are other options, as are public libraries and other government buildings, or even a restaurant, cafe or movie theater, which often have air conditioning. — Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

The top floor is the most immediately appealing to a casual visitor, with its curving ceiling, cafe, quiet seating and views toward the Finnish Parliament building. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 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