caf ‧ e ‧ te ‧ ri ‧ a /ˌkæfəˈtɪəriə, ˌkæfɪˈtɪəriə $ -ˈtɪr-/ BrE AmE 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 SYN canteen British English :
the school cafeteria
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THESAURUS
▪ 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