I
n today's world,
eating out has become common thing due to busy schedules, which leave us little time to have dinner and lunch at home, compelling us to enjoy a bite outside. In addition, people at times eat out to have a change.
Cafes and
restaurants are common eating joints. Notably, many people use the terms interchangeably as if their meaning is similar. However, the reality is that the two terms have different meanings as highlighted below.
Definitions
Café
This kind of
restaurant features an enclosed serving establishment but mostly with an outdoor section that allows customers to enjoy their snacks and coffee in the open. People mainly go to
cafes to have
coffee. Numerous locations open only during specific meals and might offer drinks, salads and quick snacks.
Restaurant
The French term describes an establishment where customers access
drinks and
food. Customers can buy and eat the meals at such establishments where the served food isn't ready-made. Instead, the establishment typically prepares the food and serves after the customer orders from the
menu.
Function
The most apparent difference between a
café and
restaurant is the scope of services. A
restaurant is an encompassing business that serves drinks and food. Although they typically serve coffee, they usually have decaffeinated or regular coffee. However, a customer will usually find a wide range of options, including entrees, appetisers, and soups.
The main eating space is indoors although you might occasionally find a small patio.
Cafes are usually
coffeehouses where you'll find numerous varieties of tea and coffees, including speciality varieties such as lattes and mochas. They usually have light snacks, for instance, pastries.
You'll typically go to the counter to order your drink and if you want a snack, there's usually a range of
ready-made snacks from which to choose.
Cafes generally have much bigger outdoor seating, enabling customers to enjoy their refreshments and coffee.
Price
A
café is typically cheaper since it mostly offers coffee and perhaps a snack. A
restaurant experience is rather different and numerous kinds of cuisine exist along with quality ranging from fine dining to fast food. This implies that the cost can differ considerably.
The debate about whether a
café is better than a
restaurant or vice versa boils down to your preference and the experience or food you're seeking.
