This post lists dozens of words, many adopted from foreign languages that describe a specific type of Restaurant. (Restaurant itself stems from a Latin verb meaning “restore.”)

1. bar: an establishment where liquor and sometimes Food are served
2. bar and grill: an establishment that features a bar but also serves food
3. barroom: see bar
4. beanery: slang for an informal restaurant
5. bistro (French, “proprietor of a tavern”): a small, informal restaurant, bar, or nightclub
6. boîte (French, “box”): see nightclub
7. brasserie (French, “brewery”): an informal restaurant, often one serving French food
8. buffet (French, “counter”): a self-serve restaurant; also, in British English, a small informal restaurant at a railway station
9. cabaret (French; ultimately from Latin camera, “chamber”): a restaurant that serves liquor and features live entertainment; also, the entertainment at such an establishment
10. café (French, “coffee”): a small, informal restaurant
11. cafeteria (American Spanish, “coffeehouse”): see luncheonette; also, an informal, self-serve restaurant
12. caff (British English slang for café): see café
13. canteen: a snack bar or small cafeteria; also, a bar or store at a military post, an informal social club, a flask for carrying liquids, or a chest for carrying or storing bottles or utensils
14. chophouse: slang for restaurant
15. coffee shop: a small, informal restaurant
16. coffee room: see coffeehouse
17. coffeehouse: an informal establishment that serves coffee and often refreshments
18. delicatessen (German, “delicacy”): an establishment where already-prepared food is sold and sometimes served; often abbreviated to deli
19. diner: an informal restaurant, originally one resembling a dining car on a train
20. drive-in: a restaurant, usually one serving fast food, that serves food ready to eat in one’s parked car or packaged to take home
21. eatery: see luncheonette
22. eating house: an informal restaurant, often one serving inexpensive and/or mediocre food
23. estaminet (French, “tavern”): see café
24. fast-food place: an informal establishment where prepared food is served quickly
25. food court: an area within a shopping mall with multiple fast-food restaurants
26. food truck: a truck or van that serves prepackaged food or food cooked in the vehicle
27. greasy spoon (American slang, from the notion of a place with unclean eating utensils): see “eating house”
28. grill: an informal restaurant
29. grillroom: see grill
30. hamburger stand: a small fast-food restaurant specializing in hamburgers
31. hash house: an inexpensive restaurant
32. hashery: see “hash house”
33. hot dog stand: a small fast-food restaurant specializing in hot dogs
34. inn: see tavern; also, sometimes one offering lodging
35. joint: slang for an informal restaurant or bar; also, slang for prison or a disreputable entertainment venue, and has multiple other unrelated meanings
36. lunch counter: see luncheonette; also, a counter inside a store at which food is served
37. lunch wagon: see diner
38. luncheonette: a small restaurant that offers lunch, often self-serve
39. lunchroom: see luncheonette; also, a room at a school for eating lunch sold there or brought from home
40. nightclub: an establishment serving food and drink and featuring live entertainment
41. nightspot: see nightclub
42–43. nitery (or niterie): see nightclub
44. pizzeria (Italian, “place where pizza is served,” from pizza, “bite”): a restaurant where pizzas and other Italian dishes are served
45. pothouse: see tavern; also, as “pot house,” a house where marijuana is grown and/or sold
46. pub (short for “public house”): see tavern
47. rathskeller (obsolete German, “council cellar,” from its origins as an establishment in the cellar of a town hall): a restaurant or tavern, usually one located in a basement
48. ristorante (Italian, “restaurant”): a restaurant serving Italian food
49. roadhouse: an establishment outside city limits that may serve food as well as liquor and features live or recorded music
50. saloon: see bar
51. supper club: see nightclub
52. snack bar: an establishment at which snacks are served at a counter
53. soda fountain: an establishment or area within a store for serving beverages, ice cream, and sometimes food
54. steakhouse: a restaurant specializing in beef dishes
55. taqueria (Spanish, “place where tacos are served”): an informal restaurant serving Mexican food
56. tavern: an establishment where liquor and sometimes food are served
57. tea shop (British English): see teahouse
58. teahouse: a restaurant where tea and refreshments are served
59. tearoom: see teahouse
60. trattoria (Italian, “establishment of a restaurateur,” from a word for “treat”): a small restaurant, usually one serving Italian food

Click here to get access to 800+ interactive grammar exercises!

Publish your book with our partner InstantPublisher.com! Professionally printed in as few as 7 days.