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
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Recent Examples of cafés
The book took on a life beyond its pages, in the hotels, cafes, spas, and beaches where legions of its readers set off seeking their own transformative journeys.
—
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 16 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
Guests can also request a table for a snack or a slice of Sachertorte at one of the hotel’s two elegant cafes (open to the public, and a great way to enjoy the hotel without booking a room).
—Caroline Law, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Restaurants, diners, delis, cafes, bars and coffee spots have long been considered third places — along with libraries and even laundromats.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
But as coffee has taken off in China, traditionally a tea-drinking market, Starbucks has run into a slew of competitors from boutique cafes to chains such as Cotti Coffee and Manner — which often sell drinks at half the price as Starbucks.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Here’s our list of 13 restaurants and cafes that opened around Houston last month.
—Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 6 Feb. 2026
Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 16 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
Guests can also request a table for a snack or a slice of Sachertorte at one of the hotel’s two elegant cafes (open to the public, and a great way to enjoy the hotel without booking a room).
—Caroline Law, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Restaurants, diners, delis, cafes, bars and coffee spots have long been considered third places — along with libraries and even laundromats.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
But as coffee has taken off in China, traditionally a tea-drinking market, Starbucks has run into a slew of competitors from boutique cafes to chains such as Cotti Coffee and Manner — which often sell drinks at half the price as Starbucks.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026
Here’s our list of 13 restaurants and cafes that opened around Houston last month.
—Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 6 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
-
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
-
This was the original use for Bar Keepers Friend, to polish brass rails at bars and taverns, often underfoot.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Here are 14 restaurants, bars and a brewery with daily or late-night happy hour deals north of State Route 56.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Lively conversations peal out from the many restaurants, cafés, and lounges where locals and visitors mingle late into the night.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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