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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of café
In the trendy neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, cafes and clothing stores bustled as usual.
—
Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
In 2023, Bachelier opened a cafe and test kitchen space along Highway 101 in Leucadia that somewhat accidentally became a blockbuster restaurant, though its immediate success was slightly improbable but not at all surprising given the collective talent.
—Candice Woo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The sisters are opening Peek-a-Brew this spring, a modern play café, located at 118 Main St. in Old Saybrook, which will combine a sit-down bistro-style cafe with an area for children to play.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025
In recent months, Cat & Cloud Coffee, based in Santa Cruz, has turned down offers to open new cafes in the city because of the uncertainty generated by Trump’s tariffs, said company owner Charles Jack.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
This cute upstairs cafe at the English Market is a great choice for tea, cakes or lunch.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Spellman envisions a bookstore and cafe combination that would offer craft beer and coffee alongside bestsellers and literary favorites.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
Dillard echoes her sentiment, sharing that there are also great schools and a lovely downtown lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2025
Free coffee for dancing customers at this cafe — check it out!
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
In 2023, Bachelier opened a cafe and test kitchen space along Highway 101 in Leucadia that somewhat accidentally became a blockbuster restaurant, though its immediate success was slightly improbable but not at all surprising given the collective talent.
—Candice Woo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The sisters are opening Peek-a-Brew this spring, a modern play café, located at 118 Main St. in Old Saybrook, which will combine a sit-down bistro-style cafe with an area for children to play.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025
In recent months, Cat & Cloud Coffee, based in Santa Cruz, has turned down offers to open new cafes in the city because of the uncertainty generated by Trump’s tariffs, said company owner Charles Jack.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
This cute upstairs cafe at the English Market is a great choice for tea, cakes or lunch.
—Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Spellman envisions a bookstore and cafe combination that would offer craft beer and coffee alongside bestsellers and literary favorites.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
Dillard echoes her sentiment, sharing that there are also great schools and a lovely downtown lined with boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2025
Free coffee for dancing customers at this cafe — check it out!
—Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for café
Noun
-
As master of ceremonies at her Fool’s Moon cabaret, Puella displays the kind of unearned self-assurance that usually wins praise for men and scorn for women.—
Michael Snyder,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
-
As a cabaret singer, Mason has headlined at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland, 54 Below, Feinstein’s at the Regency, Rainbow and Stars, the Algonquin, the Plush Room in San Francisco and Davenport’s in Chicago, among many others.—
Jane Levere,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The regular inspections include restaurants, taverns, grocery stores, meat markets and bakeries.—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Be sure to keep an eye out as the windmill atop the tavern is engulfed in flames several times an hour.—
Elizabeth Rhodes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
An iconic local chain of sushi restaurants is opening its 10th location — its first in El Dorado Hills.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Perhaps more importantly, Janet said, was the warm feel of the restaurant.—
Jenna Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Oh, and Charlotte finds her way back to a nightclub and hopefully some Long Island iced teas.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Based on the 2001 film by Baz Luhrmann, the jukebox musical takes its name from a famous French nightclub — founded in the 19th century and still open today — and follows a fictional romance between cabaret performer Satine and bohemian songwriter Christian.—
Emily McClanathan,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The hotel’s adobe-style buildings are interconnected, with paths weaving between the rooms, a moody saloon, and the breezy restaurant.—
Rosecrans Baldwin,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2025
-
By 1885 the new settlement’s population soared to more than 2,000, and hotels, restaurants, blacksmiths, saloons, shops and more lined both sides of Main Street, Second and Third Avenues.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Drivas grew up eating cheeseburgers and onion rings at a diner her father ran for 35 years.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Stalactites is another spot that is special to the local Greek community, and diners are advised to look out for tennis stars and singers like Billie Eilish.—
Acacia Gabriel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Baseball bats used to have more heft as a rule; Babe Ruth swung clubs perhaps 50 percent heavier than today’s.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Along with the in-home creature comforts, Ocean House has its own club with a lounge and infinity pool.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Dear Eric: My favorite local pub has wonderful food except for the fries.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The singer then explained the sentimental reasoning behind the pub's name, Lancaster Lock.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share