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

This is a welcoming family-run property, with the grandchildren of the founders, Luigia Rocca and Luigi Bacigalupo who started as restaurateurs in 1909, running the 59-room hotel today. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

The divisive restaurateur behind some of New York City’s most iconic restaurants, including Balthazar and Odeon, then found his voice in writing. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 1 May 2025

The former Aliso Viejo High School student, now an Irvine resident, became a prominent Southern California restaurateur after earning her stripes in the barroom trenches. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2025

There is a fine art to being a restaurateur, and Frederick fully embraced the role. —Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər 

variants also restauranteur

-ˌrän- 

: a person who owns or runs a restaurant