A café is a small, casual restaurant where people gather to drink coffee, tea, and other beverages, often while eating light meals like sandwiches, pastries, or salads. The word comes from French and is closely related to “coffee,” since cafés originally focused on serving this popular drink.

Cafés are different from large restaurants: they're usually cozier and more relaxed, with people stopping by to read, chat with friends, or work on laptops. In Paris, sidewalk cafés are famous gathering spots where people watch the world go by. In America, you might visit a café for breakfast or lunch, ordering at a counter before sitting down.

The atmosphere matters as much as the food. A good café feels welcoming, a place where you can linger over a warm drink without feeling rushed. Some cafés roast their own coffee beans or bake their own bread. Others specialize in certain styles: an internet café provides computers for customers, while a book café combines a café with a bookstore.

When you hear someone say “Let's meet at the café,” they're suggesting a casual, comfortable spot for conversation, not a fancy dinner. It's a space designed for connection as much as for eating.