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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cafés
Another reason for the cafes’ popularity is the growing number of Americans of Arab descent.
—
ABC News, 2 May 2026
After reading about Crettaz’s cafes, in 2011, former government employee Jon Underwood held one at his home in Hackney, England, and created a website with advice so others could stage their own.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Unlike typical American cafes, many of these stay open late into the evening.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Boutique shops, art galleries and sidewalk cafes sit at the bottom of the hill directly below Château Frontenac.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Here, wander by historic mansions, stop at local cafes, and browse hip boutiques like Esencia Maya, a family run business that sells high-end fashions inspired by the Mayan culture.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Since January, our Inside Look series has given Star-Telegram readers a behind-the-scenes peek at six new Fort Worth-area restaurants — from Asian fusion cafes drawing two-hour lines, to a brand-new steakhouse honoring Teddy Roosevelt.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The company added that the five-minute windows offered on the app will reflect real-time availability at each location, using Starbucks’ Smart Queue algorithm to balance and sequence mobile orders with those from customers in the cafes and at the drive-thru.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The piazza surrounding the Cathedral of Syracuse is similarly elegant, with other Baroque-style architecture woven among charming cafes and restaurants.
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 2 May 2026
After reading about Crettaz’s cafes, in 2011, former government employee Jon Underwood held one at his home in Hackney, England, and created a website with advice so others could stage their own.
—Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Unlike typical American cafes, many of these stay open late into the evening.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Boutique shops, art galleries and sidewalk cafes sit at the bottom of the hill directly below Château Frontenac.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Here, wander by historic mansions, stop at local cafes, and browse hip boutiques like Esencia Maya, a family run business that sells high-end fashions inspired by the Mayan culture.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Since January, our Inside Look series has given Star-Telegram readers a behind-the-scenes peek at six new Fort Worth-area restaurants — from Asian fusion cafes drawing two-hour lines, to a brand-new steakhouse honoring Teddy Roosevelt.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The company added that the five-minute windows offered on the app will reflect real-time availability at each location, using Starbucks’ Smart Queue algorithm to balance and sequence mobile orders with those from customers in the cafes and at the drive-thru.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The piazza surrounding the Cathedral of Syracuse is similarly elegant, with other Baroque-style architecture woven among charming cafes and restaurants.
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 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
-
Keep in mind that despite the significance of the date of July 4, 1776, royalists and republicans had been arguing in print, pamphlets, taverns and on town greens long before 1776.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As the vessel toured Baja California, Diana Sanders of Vacaville sampled tequila shots — 14 or 15 in total — from six ship taverns, tequileras and pubs, according to court documents.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The deal followed the acquisition of a 40 percent stake in Langosteria Holding Srl in 2018, which operates the tony seafood restaurants first opened in Milan in 2007 by Enrico Buonocore.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
-
The concierge can arrange seamless transfers via car and boat, organize walking tours and boat tours of the island, and make reservations at exclusive restaurants and beach clubs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
These clubs became sort of nightclubs.—
Matt Thompson,
SPIN,
4 May 2026
-
After the shove, the video shows Niemi and his group walk briskly down the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard that is home to a number of nightclubs and bars.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
While many pubs have an affiliation with a specific team, Thelwell says Robin Hood is for everyone.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
Aside from the official Fan Festival, there are plenty of pubs and bars planning their own Texas-sized World Cup celebrations, from sprawling newcomer Craft with its bocce court for halftime games to tried-and-tested favorites like The Londoner, Cannon's, and Harwood Arms.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
On Saturdays, when the farmers market is in full swing just across the street, diners sink into velvet cushions amid planters filled with marigolds and butterflies.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
-
For diners who transition to the new spot, there will be benefits.—
Michael Deeds
Updated May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The back line did enough to keep one of MLS’ most dangerous clubs in check.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Rookie forward Raquel Carrera and 2024 WNBA champion Leonie Fiebich are also away from the team completing their commitments with clubs overseas.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Beyond the cattle drives, the Stockyards are home to rodeos, Western saloons and live music venues.—
Taylor Haught,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cafés.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caf%C3%A9s. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
