Though the differences between cafes and restaurants have narrowed down greatly, primarily, a café remains a place to be served different types of coffees while a restaurant is a commercial establishment where meals are served
• While the ambience of a restaurant is that of a dining place and more formal, the ambience of a café is that of a casual eating place
• Restaurants serve set meals while, at cafes, there are different food items, mostly snacks like sandwiches and burgers in addition to coffee
• There is a greater variety of foods in a restaurant than in a café
• In some restaurants, alcoholic beverages are also served
• Tipping a waiter is common in restaurants while it is optional in cafes
• In most restaurants, food is served upon order by waiters while, in most cafes, self service is common
• Restaurants have a menu card that is presented upon arrival while the limited items serves in a café are displayed with rates on the walls of the café.