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

There are also casual cafes to grab a bite to eat or a drink, serving everything from beignets and Italian specialties to seafood boils and espresso drinks. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

On the upper level will be a cafe that leads to the most picturesque setting in college basketball, a patio area where the ocean view of Malibu is stunning and mesmerizing. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Opened in 2023 in the Westchester town of Harrison, this all-day cafe from sisters (and NYC natives) Charlotte and Carrie Denoyer quickly took off in part due to the runaway success of the wide-ranging menu's burger. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

The types of establishment vary widely, ranging from a tonkatsu pork cutlet restaurant in Hokkaido to cafes and soba shops in Kyoto's touristy areas, and a steakhouse on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture. — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 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