A café, also known as a coffeehouse or coffee shop, is a type of establishment that primarily serves coffee and tea, along with light refreshments such as baked goods or snacks. The term "café" originates from the French word for "coffee". These establishments are known for their casual social environment where people engage in various activities such as reading, studying, or discussing current events. They are also places where information can be exchanged.
Cafés can range from owner-operated small businesses to large multinational corporations, with some operating on a franchise business model. In addition to beverages, a café may also serve food items such as light snacks, sandwiches, muffins, fruit, or pastries. Some cafés in continental Europe may also serve alcoholic beverages.
Origin and history of the café
The term “café”, which is widely used to describe a restaurant that primarily serves coffee and snacks, has a rich history that dates back to the 15th century. The origin of the café, or coffee house, can be traced back to modern-day Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen, where coffee was already known in the 15th century. It was in Yemen that coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed in a manner similar to how it is now prepared for drinking. The coffee beans were procured from the Ethiopian Highlands via coastal Somali intermediaries and cultivated in Yemen.
Coffeehouses quickly became popular social hubs where people gathered to drink coffee, converse, play games, and discuss news and politics. By the 16th century, these establishments had also emerged in Mecca and Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Unique characteristics of cafés
Size
Cafés are typically smaller in size, often accommodating between 20 to 50 patrons. They are designed to foster a cozy, intimate atmosphere, encouraging casual dining and socializing. The smaller size also allows for more personalized service, which is a key aspect of the café experience. On the other hand, other types of restaurants such as fine dining establishments, casual dining chains, or fast-food restaurants, are usually larger.
Atmosphere
Cafés typically have a more casual, relaxed, and intimate ambiance. They are often designed to encourage lingering, with comfortable seating, soft lighting, and often feature elements like bookshelves or artwork to create a homely feel. The noise level is usually low to moderate, allowing for quiet conversation or solitary activities like reading or working on a laptop.
Menu
Café menus typically focus on lighter fare and beverages compared to other types of restaurants. They often offer a variety of coffee and tea options, pastries, sandwiches, and salads. Some may also serve breakfast items throughout the day. The emphasis is on casual, quick meals and snacks that can be enjoyed alongside a hot drink, often in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere.
Service
Cafés and other types of restaurants differ significantly in their service styles. Cafés typically have a more casual, relaxed atmosphere, often with self-service or counter service. Customers may order at the counter and either pick up their food there or have it brought to their table. The menu is usually limited, focusing on coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and light meals.
Alcohol
The alcohol served in cafés is typically limited to a small selection of wines, beers, and perhaps a few basic cocktails, often designed to complement the café's food menu. On the other hand, other types of restaurants, such as fine dining establishments, gastropubs, or specialized bars, place a greater emphasis on their alcohol offerings.
What items are typically on a café’s menu?
Coffee and Tea
Cafés offer a variety of coffee and tea options, including Espresso ($2.14 ~ $4.05), Cappuccino ($3.51 ~ $6.08), Latte ($3.98 ~ $6.00), Mocha ($2.96 ~ $5.63), Americano ($3.02 ~ $5.10), Macchiato ($3.00 ~ $4.99), Chai Latte ($4.02 ~ $6.94), Green Tea ($2.60 ~ $5.76), Black Tea ($2.50 ~ $6.00), and Herbal Tea ($2.25 ~ $5.20).
Breakfast
For breakfast, cafés often serve a variety of pastries, eggs, pancakes, and coffee-based beverages. Items include Croissants ($2.46 ~ $5.50), Pancakes ($5.39 ~ $13.00), French Toast ($6.09 ~ $16.23), Eggs Benedict ($10.65 ~ $18.67), Omelettes ($6.71 ~ $21.04), Granola ($1.74 ~ $11.31), Yogurt ($2.95 ~ $10.96), and Fruit Salads ($4.50 ~ $14.20).
Sandwiches
Lunch at a cafe might include sandwiches such as the Club Sandwich ($7.50 ~ $20.09), Tuna Sandwich ($6.50 ~ $22.00), Chicken Sandwich ($7.75 ~ $16.50), Veggie Sandwich ($6.04 ~ $15.00), BLT ($6.99 ~ $17.53), and Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($4.32 ~ $11.59).
Salads
cafés also offer a variety of salads, including Caesar Salad ($6.43 ~ $16.15), Greek Salad ($7.38 ~ $17.70), Cobb Salad ($9.86 ~ $18.66), Caprese Salad ($9.95 ~ $51.99), and Spinach Salad ($5.99 ~ $18.00).
Pastries
Pastries are a staple in cafés, with options such as Muffins ($1.39 ~ $24.99), Scones ($2.82 ~ $5.00), Danishes ($2.60 ~ $6.00), Cinnamon Rolls ($2.90 ~ $15.00), Macarons ($1.99 ~ $11.06), and Tarts ($1.25 ~ $13.31).
Desserts
For those with a sweet tooth, cafés offer desserts like Cheesecake ($4.79 ~ $14.00), Brownies ($2.11 ~ $5.99), Tiramisu ($4.75 ~ $15.60), Panna Cotta ($3.67 ~ $12.00), and Crème Brûlée ($4.67 ~ $12.37).
Beverages
In addition to coffee and tea, cafés also offer Fresh Juice ($3.73 ~ $8.52), Smoothies ($4.50 ~ $10.65), Iced Tea ($2.10 ~ $3.62), Lemonade ($2.51 ~ $7.79), Soda ($1.47 ~ $5.00), and Mineral Water ($2.00 ~ $5.49).
Are cafés popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
Yes, cafés are popular for all three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer a relaxed and casual dining experience that is suitable for any time of the day. For breakfast, cafés often serve a variety of pastries, eggs, pancakes, and coffee-based beverages. Lunch at a cafe might include sandwiches, salads, and soups, while dinner could range from pasta dishes to more sophisticated entrees. Many cafés also offer daily specials that change based on the time of day. Additionally, the ambiance of a cafe, which often includes comfortable seating and a cozy atmosphere, makes it an appealing place to dine at any time.
Are cafés popular for food delivery?
Yes, cafés are popular for food delivery. With the rise of food delivery apps and services, cafés have adapted to this trend and now offer a wide range of their menu items for delivery. This includes not only their signature coffee and tea beverages, but also food items such as sandwiches, salads, pastries, and more. Many people enjoy the convenience of having cafe food delivered to their home or workplace, especially for breakfast and lunch. This allows them to enjoy a quality meal without the need to cook or leave their location.
What are the most popular café chains?
Some of the most popular international café chains include 85°C Bakery Cafe, Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, Chatime, Costa Coffee, Dôme, Dunkin', Gloria Jean's Coffees, Joe & The Juice, Juan Valdez Cafe, and Louisa Coffee. Among these, Dunkin' and Costa Coffee are particularly noteworthy. Dunkin', formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, is one of the largest coffee shop and donut shop chains in the world, with approximately 12,900 locations in 42 countries. Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, operates 3,884 locations across 38 countries.
References
About Otter
- Increase revenue up to 10% with Marketing*
- Reduce storefront downtime by up to 50% with Live Alerts*
- Increase sales up to 50% with Digital Dine-In's QR code ordering*
- Reduce missed orders to less than 1% with Order Manager's Auto-Accept feature*
- Supercharge your food business with our all-in-one restaurant POS system*