restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər 

variants or less commonly restauranteur

ˌre-stə-ˌrän-ˈtər 

: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

Did you know?

Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The record indicates that the restaurateur’s bond of $15,000 is pending, but has not yet been issued. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 16 May 2025

Local birria fanatics know of chef and restaurateur Priscilla Curiel’s birria bone marrow tacos. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Martin has been a restaurateur downtown and on the Near Southside for three decades, first at his Cafe Panacea sandwich shop and then at Lili’s, known for seafood, pastas, burgers and Gorgonzola cheese waffle fries. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2025

Crime fears regarding the Mall in Columbia have sparked restaurateur Desmond Reilly to close Bennie’s Pizza, The Walrus Oyster & Ale House and Chicken + Whiskey, citing issues with public safety. —Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French restaurateur, from Late Latin restaurator restorer, from Latin restaurare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for restaurateur

• entrepreneur
• amateur
• connoisseur
• kieselguhr
• monseigneur
• procureur
• retransfer
• saboteur
• silencer
• voyageur
• birr
• blur

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Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər 

variants also restauranteur

-ˌrän- 

: a person who owns or runs a restaurant