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
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
For Muslims, many of whom eschew alcohol, and for anyone seeking liquor-free or family-friendly social options, the cafes are hospitable hangouts and a late-night alternative to nighttime clubbing.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The small town situated along the Michigan-Wisconsin border features restaurants, bakeries and cafes and shopping at small businesses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The posh neighborhood also boasts art galleries, high-end shopping, and chic cafes to while away a few hours in.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
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
For Muslims, many of whom eschew alcohol, and for anyone seeking liquor-free or family-friendly social options, the cafes are hospitable hangouts and a late-night alternative to nighttime clubbing.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The small town situated along the Michigan-Wisconsin border features restaurants, bakeries and cafes and shopping at small businesses.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The posh neighborhood also boasts art galleries, high-end shopping, and chic cafes to while away a few hours in.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 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
-
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
-
Visitors can explore cheese-making at Grafton Village Cheese, dine at cozy taverns and a beloved general store, and enjoy museums, trails, and covered bridges.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility Accessibility ramps are available throughout the property and its restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
For those who want to eat well without spending a fortune, here’s a selection of restaurants newly awarded a Bib Gourmand (given to establishments offering excellent, good-value cooking) in the 2026 Michelin Guide.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Latin-rock pioneer Carlos Santana, who cut his teeth on guitar as a teenager playing in Tijuana nightclubs, will rock on down the highway this summer on a joint tour with his band and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Doobie Brothers.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
His other parent, Charles Bing, is a trans woman who performs in nightclubs under the moniker Helena Handbasket.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Local pizzerias expect to do plenty of business on Super Bowl Sunday, but the same won’t necessarily be true for Elgin-area restaurants and pubs whose owners say pro football’s biggest game of the year doesn’t generate big bucks.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
To relax, people can hit one of the city's many pubs or sip on afternoon tea.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The bill topped $600, and yes, my kids and I were dressed in secondhand fast fashion amid diners whose shoes alone likely cost more than our entire stay.—
Melissa Petro,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
-
With the arrival of Lent, seafood is top of mind for many diners.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No European football for only the second time since English clubs were allowed back into UEFA competitions in 1990 means far fewer games.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Garber, who has been commissioner since 1999 and overseen the growth of the league from 10 to 30 clubs, was bullish about the prospects of more A-list players taking their talents to MLS when speaking to CNN Sports on Thursday.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
20 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 25 Feb. 2026.
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