Whats the difference between a Cafe & a Restaurant?

Question

In my neck of the world, we have some of what I would call a full service Restaurant that call them selves a Cafe.

Answer 1

A "café" is a specific type of restaurant. That is, cafe is to restaurant as SUV is to vehicle.

I guess meanings would change with usuage between regions. A restaurant is a general term for any eatery. A cafe has a more limited menu with simpler dishes. It is expected that one might enter a cafe simply for a coffee but also for desserts and lighter fare. It is normal to linger in a cafe. In contrast, one would not use up a table for two hours in a five star restaurant in the middle of th dinner service for only coffee and a dessert.

Answer 2

The price?

Also restuarants usually have set meal times - where cafes don't.

I think people that seem like a restuarant that call themselves a cafe are trying to be arty and get a more relaxed crowd in.

Answer 3

Nothing.

Answer 4

in Cafe you can drink coffee or some other drink and maybe have some cake or ice cream. in real restaurant you can have proper lunch or dinner.

Answer 5

the difference between a cafe and restaurant. cafe is a place where people have their drink(a drink can be coffee or anything else)and a restaurant is where meals are prepared and served on the premises.this is the difference between cafe and restaurant

Answer 6

Cafe ususally requires you to go up like a buffet and get your food

Answer 7

cafe's are traditionally less formalized reataurants.

more for a quick bite or a coffeee than to sit and dine.

but largely it's semantics.

Answer 8

Cafe has a limited menu, limited service but more laid back atmosphere.

Answer 9

I think a cafe is smaller and is cheaper and a restaurant is posh and more expensive =D xx