variants
also cafes
1
as in cabarets
a bar or restaurant offering special nighttime entertainment (as music, dancing, or comedy acts)
the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in taverns
a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises
a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in restaurants
a public establishment where meals are served to paying customers for consumption on the premises
they met at a little café in Paris
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cafés
Many cafes and restaurants remain open late into the night and offer late-night dining options and services.
—
Dana Khraiche, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
After your outdoor excursion, enjoy a relaxed coffee and casual brunch at one of the many casual breakfast spots and cafes nearby before heading to the airport, taking in one final view of the desert skyline.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
This past year, the region has seen a blossoming of cafes operating under a number of umbrellas.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Closer to the lobby is the quaint Minsheng district, a leafy and walkable grid of low-slung streets filled with mom-and-pop shops, neighborhood shrines, and increasingly, indie cafes and design studios.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
On social media, creators have been adding cottage cheese and Greek yogurt to numerous dishes, while cafes have started offering protein lattes.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
On the surface, at least, the glitzy Russian capital, with its shops and cafes and traffic jams, is well-insulated against the horrors of the frontlines, save the occasional interception of Ukrainian drones, about which few Muscovites, frankly, spare a passing thought.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
While many mall food courts are closed in the day during Ramadan, some restaurants and cafes are choosing to open and serve food, or offer takeaway service for visitors or those ordering through food delivery apps.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The historic heart of Savannah is best experienced by strolling, drifting between the squares with stately old homes, cafes, shops and churches.
—Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Dana Khraiche, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
After your outdoor excursion, enjoy a relaxed coffee and casual brunch at one of the many casual breakfast spots and cafes nearby before heading to the airport, taking in one final view of the desert skyline.
—Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
This past year, the region has seen a blossoming of cafes operating under a number of umbrellas.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Closer to the lobby is the quaint Minsheng district, a leafy and walkable grid of low-slung streets filled with mom-and-pop shops, neighborhood shrines, and increasingly, indie cafes and design studios.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
On social media, creators have been adding cottage cheese and Greek yogurt to numerous dishes, while cafes have started offering protein lattes.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 22 Feb. 2026
On the surface, at least, the glitzy Russian capital, with its shops and cafes and traffic jams, is well-insulated against the horrors of the frontlines, save the occasional interception of Ukrainian drones, about which few Muscovites, frankly, spare a passing thought.
—Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
While many mall food courts are closed in the day during Ramadan, some restaurants and cafes are choosing to open and serve food, or offer takeaway service for visitors or those ordering through food delivery apps.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
The historic heart of Savannah is best experienced by strolling, drifting between the squares with stately old homes, cafes, shops and churches.
—Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cafés
Noun
-
The newest chapter is Velvet Night 76—my personal obsession—inspired by Parisian cabarets.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
As revolutionary unrest intensified and the Pahlavi regime imposed martial law and closed cabarets and theaters in an attempt to appease conservatives, her sources of income vanished.—
Richard Nedjat-Haiem,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The wave of customers who visit the concession stands during intermissions makes speed of service more important for venues than for most stores, restaurants or taverns.—
David Bruce,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Originating in the 18th century as working men’s taverns, when Lyon was the silk-weaving capital of Europe, bouchons were transformed 100 years ago by Les Mères Lyonnaises, a generation of women cooks trained in the kitchens of grand local mansions.—
John Brunton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The winter is usually Dubai’s peak tourist season with the city’s beaches, malls and hotel restaurants usually packed with tourists and wealthy locals.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Perhaps most importantly, the proliferation of gaming terminals in bars and restaurants will create a real strain on safety in our neighborhoods.—
Julie Darling,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Disneyland offers no nightclubs in its entertainment district.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
-
By age 13, Colón had started a band and played at some weddings and in the bustling nightclubs of New York City.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Previous Irish pubs in the area just felt like watering holes that served Guinness (and most bars serve Guinness nowadays anyway).—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Basically, various countries rent out cool venues in Milan — from historic halls to popular pubs — to use as home bases for fans and events, some private and some open to the public by reservation.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The mild meats and cheeses should be consumed first, with diners gradually moving on to the most intense ones so as to not overpower the more delicate flavors.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
But the chain needed more reactions from everyday diners.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While countries such as Spain and clubs such as Barcelona train their young players for years using the same system, with the same positional requirements and following the same procedures, Germany jumps from trend to trend.—
Philipp Lahm,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
As a teenager, he DJed at various LA clubs before making his own music.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Caviar used to be given away in 19th century saloons to encourage drinking.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cafés.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caf%C3%A9s. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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