restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər 

variants or less commonly restauranteur

ˌre-stə-ˌrän-ˈtər 

: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

Did you know?

Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In previous years, there have been meet-and-greets with chefs and restaurateurs, along with tastings from over 40 restaurants and bars. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

Both restaurateurs said businesses should be careful not to make customers feel pressured into leaving gratuities. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

Magna Kainan, a concept founded by celebrated Portland restaurateur Carlo Lamagna and led by chef Jodee Reyes, launched under the umbrella of Culinary Creative Group at the end of 2024. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 3 June 2026

Arlington native and Fort Worth restaurateur Chef Marcus Paslay opened Piattello nearly 10 years ago in the Waterside Shopping Center. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "restorer, proprietor of a restaurant," going back to Middle French, "restorer," borrowed from Latin restaurātor, from restaurāre "to return to its former condition, restore" + -tor, agent suffix

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for restaurateur

• entrepreneur
• amateur
• connoisseur
• kieselguhr
• monseigneur
• procureur
• retransfer
• saboteur
• silencer
• voyageur
• birr
• blur

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Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər 

variants also restauranteur

-ˌrän- 

: a person who owns or runs a restaurant