variants
also cafe
1
as in cabaret
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 tavern
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 restaurant
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
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Recent Examples of café
The small, vibrant cafe was closed for two months after the fire, during which the employees went without pay.
—
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Use cafe curtains and clips for a quick window update that’s cute and easy.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The cafe offers bagels with all the spreads, plus coffee and sandwiches.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Kim, 70, runs the cafe with the same routine every day, opening early and closing by noon.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the cafe will serve coffee and tea drinks and light bites like avocado toast.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Kansas Citians likely recognize the name Robin Krause for her popular local cafe Billie’s Grocery.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
On the banks of the West Lake is the leafy enclave that is Philo Garden cafe.
—Arundhati Hazra, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
The cafe is also scheduled to officially open that day.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Use cafe curtains and clips for a quick window update that’s cute and easy.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The cafe offers bagels with all the spreads, plus coffee and sandwiches.
—Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Kim, 70, runs the cafe with the same routine every day, opening early and closing by noon.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the cafe will serve coffee and tea drinks and light bites like avocado toast.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Kansas Citians likely recognize the name Robin Krause for her popular local cafe Billie’s Grocery.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
On the banks of the West Lake is the leafy enclave that is Philo Garden cafe.
—Arundhati Hazra, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
The cafe is also scheduled to officially open that day.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for café
Noun
-
The gonzo comedy is set in the days before Lincoln’s assassination and imagines the former first lady as a alcoholic wannabe cabaret star.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The new couple was seen leaving a cabaret show at the Crazy Horse Paris in photos obtained by TMZ.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Indianapolis is no stranger to taverns with curious characters and colorful pasts, and its dive bar scene remains strong hundreds of years later.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Catch a hockey game at TD Garden, browse the boutiques of Beacon Hill and Newbury Street, or duck into a cozy tavern for a pint in the Back Bay.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Over the years, Grains and Taps has expanded from selling local and worldwide beer selections to offering their own brews, opened a second location at Pine Tree Plaza and added a restaurant.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visit Ciudad Vieja, the city's oldest neighborhood, or hit one of the many bars and nightclubs, where tango performances are done in a lively tradition.—
Jill Krasny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The restaurant became a gathering spot for the celebrities who were in town to play the local nightclubs or just visit South Florida.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The saloon, which will be slinging beer, bourbon and barbecue and hosting no-cover entertainment, will take over the second level of The Exchange.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Start at the casual ground-floor saloon, then head to the second floor for a stunning cocktail bar with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a perfect view of the Arcade's spine.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The dish is especially appealing for diners who prefer savory grits over sweet grits.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Photos of diners fill nearly every inch of the shop, documenting years of regulars and first-time visitors alike.—
Loureen Ayyoub,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At many clubs, an injury list like that would form the central narrative of the season.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
His favorite hobbies include bodysurfing the Jersey Shore and making the under-33 club at the Flamingo Miniature Golf Course.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For centuries, people gathering in bars and pubs have found ways to occupy their time, whether that’s classic games like billiards and darts or more recent inventions like video games and mechanical bulls.—
Fritz Hahn,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
About Cavendish Brewery Opened in 2017, the pub has 28 taps and specializes in old world beer styles.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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