What is a Cafe?
Cafe is a term in the United States for a coffee shop or a restaurant that is informal. Cafe in most other countries refers to a place that serves coffee, like an American coffeehouse. Cafe came from the French word for coffee. In the U.S., cafes serve sandwiches and hot meals.
United States and Canada
Restaurants featuring full-service tables and counters. The menu is broad throughout different times of the day.
Coffee shops offer a family-friendly atmosphere. They typically do not serve alcohol.
European countries
Serves coffee and pastries, like a slice of cake, pie or tart, a bun, a sweet pastry or a "danish pastry."
Some will also serve light sandwiches.
Alcoholic beverages may be served in some cafes.
Tables are available outside, as well as inside.
United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
Cafe pronounced with an acute accent: similar to those in European countries.
Cafe pronounced without an acute accent: serves fried foods and specializes in breakfast foods.
Netherlands and Belgium
Resembles a bar and sells alcohol.
Coffeeshops in the Netherlands do not sell alcohol, but do sell soft drugs.