bistro
/ˈbiːstrəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbiːstrəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbē-(ˌ)strō ˈbi-/ (ame, mw)
bistro — noun
- bistrosingular
- bistrosplural
1. a small, casual place where you can buy and eat simple meals and drinks, often w
a small, casual place where you can buy and eat simple meals and drinks, often with a French character or serving French-style food
The owner of a small bistro near the university serves fresh soup and bread every lunchtime.
bistro + near [location] for specifying where
After work, the nurses often meet at a French bistro for coffee and cake.
A new bistro on Market Street offers simple pasta dishes at reasonable prices.
The couple booked a table at their favourite bistro to celebrate their anniversary.
On rainy evenings, the old bistro fills with neighbours chatting over glasses of red wine.
- café
a more general term for a place serving light meals and drinks; cafés are often less focused on alcohol than bistros
- restaurant
a broader term for any place serving meals; restaurants are usually larger and more formal than bistros
- brasserie
a French-style restaurant that is often bigger and busier than a bistro, serving a wider menu throughout the day
- bar
focuses more on drinks than food; the atmosphere may be less food-oriented than a bistro