cafe
/ˈkæfeɪ/Loanword from French café
a small restaurant serving coffee and light meals
They met at a cozy cafe downtown.
They met at a small, comfortable restaurant that serves coffee and light meals.
informal
a small restaurant or shop that serves coffee, tea, and light refreshments
She worked at a trendy cafe near the university.
She worked at a stylish small restaurant that serves coffee and snacks near the university.
The term is derived from French and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Collocations
cafe culturethe social atmosphere and lifestyle associated with cafescafe lattea coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Spelling Variation
Note that 'cafe' is the standard spelling in American English, while 'café' with an accent is more common in British English.
Word Origin
From French 'café', from Italian 'caffè', from Arabic 'qahwah' (coffee).
Usage Notes
In American English, 'cafe' is the standard spelling, while in British English, 'café' with an accent is also common.
English Dictionary