caf‧e‧te‧ri‧a /ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə, ˌkæfɪˈtɪəriə $ -ˈtɪr-/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: American Spanish; Origin: 'coffee shop', from Spanish café 'coffee']
a restaurant, often in a factory, college etc, where you choose from foods that have already been cooked and carry your own food to a table Synonym : canteen British English:
the school cafeteria

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

cafe/coffee shop a place where you can get coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks, cakes, and small meals
fast food restaurant one where you can get meals such as hamburgers, french fries etc
self-service restaurant one where you collect the food yourself
diner American English a restaurant where you can eat cheap and simple food
bistro a small restaurant or bar, especially one serving French-style food
cafeteria (also canteen British English) a place at work or school where you can collect and eat meals

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲