Three Flames

A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks such as iced coffee and iced tea; in continental Europe, cafés serve alcoholic drinks. A coffeehouse may also serve food such as light snacks, sandwiches, muffins or pastries. Coffeehouses range from owner-operated small businesses to large multinational corporations. Some coffeehouse chains are franchise-based business models, with numerous branches across various countries around the world.

While café may refer to a coffeehouse, the term "café" generally refers to a diner, British café, "greasy spoon", transport café, teahouse or tea room, or other casual eating and drinking place. A coffeehouse may share some of the same characteristics of a bar or restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria.