bistro

noun

bis·​tro ˈbē-(ˌ)strō  ˈbi- 

plural bistros

1

: a small or unpretentious restaurant

2

a

: a small bar or tavern

b

: nightclub

Synonyms

• boîte
• cabaret
• café
• cafe
• club
• nightclub
• nightspot
• nitery
• niterie
• roadhouse
• supper club

Examples of bistro in a Sentence

a bistro in Paris that serves veal chops and hearty stews

a section of the city populated with casual bistros offering entertainment to suit nearly every taste

Recent Examples on the Web

Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Steak Frites Transport you and your date to a Paris bistro for the night with this steak recipe. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2025

The restaurant's founder named the bistro — famous for its bagels — after his great-grandmother. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025

The sprawling bistro space, designed in collaboration with Amy Carman Design and Dan Beyer Architects, seats nearly 200 diners and boasts vintage chandeliers, mosaic tilework, and leather banquettes. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 28 Jan. 2025

Coming up next, the company will debut its bistro Locanda Canali in Hong Kong, an evolution of its lifestyle store concept and expand into Wuhan. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bistro

noun

bis·​tro ˈbēs-(ˌ)trō  ˈbis- 

: a small or modest restaurant