How is a cafe different from a restaurant? This issue has recently become increasingly relevant. With the development of the restaurant business, the border between these concepts has become almost invisible. In large cities of Russia, at every step there are catering establishments open by franchises of Western companies. And this adds even more confusion to the terminology of the Russian restaurant business. The thing is that in the USA, for example, any institution is called a restaurant. However, in Russian this word has a narrower meaning. So, how is a cafe different from a restaurant?
Etymology
Before answering the question of how the cafe differs from the restaurant, it is worth understanding the origin of these words. Perhaps the difference between such institutions a hundred or two hundred years did not exist at all?
"Restaurant" is a word of French origin. In the Middle Ages in Europe there were taverns and taverns. As a rule, travelers stayed in such establishments. Having paid a small amount for an uncomplicated dish, they satisfied their hunger and again went on the road. Restaurants (like establishments where guests can order one of the dishes offered on the menu) arose later - in the eighteenth century. And they appeared in Paris, because it was from the French language that the word migrated to German, English and, of course, Russian.
The origin of the word "cafe" is not easy to establish. According to one version, it, like the "restaurant", comes from French. According to another, a "cafe" came to the attention of Europeans from the Ethiopian region of Kaffa. But what does it mean? Most explanatory dictionaries say that a cafe is a place to eat. That is, in such an institution it is not customary to spend a lot of time.
Understood the origin of concepts. But how is a cafe different from a restaurant from a commercial point of view?
Range
The restaurant menu has a large selection of dishes and drinks. Moreover, the preparation of dishes here is a complex process. The restaurant kitchen has several employees. One is preparing cold snacks and salads. Another manages the hot shop. They can replace each other only in exceptional situations.
In order to understand the difference between a restaurant and a cafe, you should take a look at the menu. In the first institution, it can be a heavy book in leather binding. In the cafe, the assortment of dishes is often presented on several pages in A4 format.
Staff
A waiter is not just a person who takes an order. This is a specialist whose work requires certain skills and knowledge. The waiter should know well not only the assortment of dishes, but also be able to tell the guest about how they are prepared. What is the difference between a restaurant and a cafe? It differs not only in a wide range of dishes, but also in the number of employees. There are usually at least three waiters in the restaurant hall. In a cafe, they may not exist at all. In such an institution, one employee often performs the duties of a bartender, a waiter and even a cleaner.
Interior
If you ask a simple layman the question of what are the characteristic differences between a restaurant, cafe from a snack bar or, for example, a pizzeria, he will most likely answer in size. And it will be partly right.
Restaurant - an institution that can occupy an impressive area and be located in a two-story or even three-story building. Cafe is often a small room with a bar. A snack bar may include two or three tables and a display case. Such catering facilities are often found in shopping centers. With a full-fledged restaurant, they have little in common.
If we talk about the appearance of the institution, then it is worth mentioning another feature that is often absent in the cafe. The restaurant's interior is usually designed in some thematic style. In addition, the owner of such an institution ensures that employees fully comply with service standards.
What is the difference between a restaurant and a cafe legally? Both in the first and in the second case we are talking about an organization that produces and sells culinary products. Restaurant, cafe, snack bar, pizzeria, bar - all these are catering establishments. The owner of such an organization should formalize their activities in the appropriate authorities according to a certain scheme. The way he calls his company - a restaurant, cafe or dumplings, will not affect accounting. That is, in legal terms, there is no difference between a restaurant and a cafe.
In conclusion, it should be said that the restaurant business in our country is quite young and does not have a steady growth trend. And because there is no clear terminology.