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coffee shop

coffee shop

153 1.0
A small cafe where people buy coffee and light food
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔːfi ʃɑːp/
: cafetería
  • I had to meet her in a coffee shop to do her evaluation.
  • go to the coffee shop
  • local coffee shop
  • a coffee shop

Tons of cute little restaurants, coffee shops, Cherry Creek.

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Examples

  • Where is the best coffee shop to study in all of Vancouver?

  • Today I woke up and I went to the coffee shop on La Brea.

  • And I built this little coffee shop by the beach.

  • Now we're going back to the coffee shop to get a coffee.

  • I went to the coffee shop and I had a coffee.

  • So I go to the coffee shop today.

  • Hope it's a wonderful coffee shop, Jack.

  • Meet me at the coffee shop around the corner on 59th Street right after I get off work.

  • Yeah, it's one of the most recommended coffee shops in all of Osaka.

  • I love to relax and read a book at my favorite coffee shop in town.

Synonyms

diner
vscoffee shop
  • US
295 1.0

A small cheap restaurant with a counter that serves simple meals quickly

is more centered on beverage service and light snacks than full quick meals
cafe
vscoffee shop
240 1.0

A small place that serves coffee, drinks, and light food

places more emphasis on hot drinks rather than general meals
caf
vscoffee shop
  • Informal
74 7.7

A small place that serves simple meals and drinks

is the neutral everyday name not emphasizing low cost or informality
bistro
vscoffee shop
34 3.7

A small informal restaurant that serves simple meals and wine

is more about drinks and light snacks rather than wine and fuller meals
coffeehouse
vscoffee shop
24 1.0

A small place where people drink coffee and eat light food

is the broader familiar name used in everyday speech
cantina
vscoffee shop
  • US
14 3.9

A small bar or restaurant that serves drinks and simple food

is more centered on beverage and snack service rather than bar atmosphere and food
coffee bar
vscoffee shop
7 1.3

A small café where people buy coffee and light snacks

is the general everyday term rather than a specific label
luncheonette
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
6 5.7

A small simple restaurant that serves coffee and sandwiches at a counter

is more focused on drinks and cafe service than counter meal service
brasserie
vscoffee shop
4 7.2

A small informal cafe that serves beer, wine, and simple food at moderate prices

is more focused on drinks and light snacks rather than full meals and alcohol
caff
vscoffee shop
  • UK
3 9.6

A small cheap cafe that serves simple hot food and drinks

is the general neutral term used internationally rather than informal local label
beanery
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
1 7.4

A small cheap restaurant that serves simple food

is more specifically about drink service and light snacks rather than cheap meals
espresso shop
vscoffee shop
1 2.3

A small coffee shop that mostly serves espresso and other coffee drinks

is more general, serving many drinks and light snacks rather than only strong brews
upscale cafe
vscoffee shop
1 4.8

A cafe with nicer, more expensive coffee and a stylish look

is more everyday and casual rather than luxurious or exclusive
cookshop
vscoffee shop
  • Archaic
1 8.3

A small shop that sells hot meals to people

is more modern and centered on drinks and light meals rather than selling cooked food

How Formal

bistro
34 3.7
cafe
240 1.0
coffee shop
153 1.0
coffee stall
  • Indian
1 1.7
kiosk
34 3.3

Surface Forms

coffee shop singular
coffee shops plural

Morphology

coffee + shop

The meaning 'a place where coffee and light food are served' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'coffee' (the beverage) with 'shop' (a place of business). The noun+noun composition is a common, literal pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Coffee shop comes from the simple idea of a small shop that sells coffee and light food, where people stop to buy a cup and meet friends. That's why today coffee shop means 'a small restaurant or café' where coffee, drinks and snacks are served.