The word comes from the French ‘café’ meaning coffee house. It is usually a relatively small place that sells non-alcoholic beverages along with a few items of food such as sandwiches and pastries. A cafe can be located inside a building or it can be an open-air establishment. Café is, in fact, French for coffee and can be quite misleading for this type of establishment. For while a café does serve coffee, the main focus is not on that particular hot beverage.
cafes are typically small, intimate establishments that serve lighter fare and have a more relaxed atmosphere than restaurants. On the other hand, restaurants are typically larger establishments that serve more substantial meals and have a more formal atmosphere. A cafe is a coffee shop, or a small restaurant where coffee is served. Your neighborhood cafe might be a good place to get a piece of pie and a cup of coffee.