Cafe vs. Bistro vs. Eatery: Differences and Characteristics in F&B Business

Having a culinary business is not just about delicious food. Branding also plays an important role in attracting customers. 

One of the things that often makes you confused is choosing a concept, whether to open it café, bistro, or eatery?

Many people count coffee and eatery is the same place as a regular cafe. Likewise with bistro which is often equated with a restaurant. 

In fact, there are fundamental differences between the three.

Well, the differences are from the menu, atmosphere, to the way it operates. 

So that you don't make a wrong move in business F&BCome on, let's discuss the differences coffee and eatery, bistro, And eatery. 

After this, it will be easier for you to determine a suitable concept for your business! Make sure you read this article to the end, OK! 

Read Also: Get to know the Kitchen Display System for Restaurant Kitchen Management

Eatery is a casual dining place with a variety of menus

Source: Freepik

For those of you who are still unfamiliar with the term eatery, this is a more flexible place to eat than a formal restaurant. Eatery is a concept that is not too bound by standard rules. 

Visitors can enjoy fast food, home-cooked food, or even regional specialties at varying prices. 

The main features of the eatery are the atmosphere is relaxed and the menu is not focused on one type of cuisine. 

Here, customers can find various types of food, from heavy meals to snacks. Eatery is often found in food courts, modern food stalls, or culinary shops that focus on casual dining experiences.

If you plan to open a dining place that is flexible and can reach many groups, then coffee and eatery is an interesting choice. 

Many business owners choose this concept, because it can serve a variety of menus!

Cafe, Favorite for Coffee Lovers!

Source: Freepik

You must often hang out at cafes to do work or just have a casual chat, right? 

Well, coffee and eatery is a concept that is often associated with cafes because they both sell food and soft drinks.

However, the difference, the cafe focuses more on coffee. The atmosphere inside is also designed to be comfortable for chatting or working. 

Usually, the menu in cafes is simpler, such as coffee, tea, pastries and light snacks. 

Even if there is heavy food, there is not as much as in a restaurant. 

Some of the main characteristics of the cafe are domination of the coffee and tea menu. Then, the atmosphere is cozy with aesthetic interior design.

Apart from that, it is usually often visited by remote workers or students. 

Well, if you want to open a hangout place with a concept coffee and eatery, make sure the menus are varied, OK!

Bistro Is: A Combination of Restaurant and Cafe

If you want a more elegant concept than coffee and eatery, please consider it bistro. 

Many people don't know that Bistro is a place to eat with a relaxed atmosphere and still has a quality restaurant-style menu.

Origin Bistro is from France. Initially, this place was a small restaurant that served typical French food at affordable prices. 

However, now the bistro is more flexible and offers different types of dishes from different countries. For special features Bistro is:

• Providing main meals with restaurant quality
• Has a choice of wine or spirits
• The atmosphere is more premium than a cafe or eatery
• Prices are higher because the raw materials and presentation are more exclusive

So, if you want to open a more elegant and exclusive culinary business, bistro is the recommendation. 

So, with a classier menu and stylish atmosphere, customers will be willing to pay more! As long as it's worth it!

Read Also: 10 Good Ways to Plate Food in a 5 Star Restaurant Style

Pantry, Bakery, and Pastry: Important Elements in F&B Business

After understanding the differences between cafe, eatery, and bistro. Now we discuss other terms that often appear in the culinary business. 

Many are still confused about the meaning of pantry, bakery, and pastry. What's the explanation? Listen!

1. Pantry means food storage room

Many people say a pantry means a place to eat, even though it's not. 

In the culinary world, pantry means storage place for food ingredients and cooking utensils. 

Usually, pantry in restaurants or hotels to store ingredients before processing.

2. Bakery means a bakery or place where bread is made

If you often buy bread in specialty stores, it is called a bakery. So, bakery means a place that specializes in producing and selling bread, cakes or other flour-based products.

3. Pastry means cake products with a crispy texture

Different from bakery, pastry means types of cakes that have a lighter and layered texture, such as croissants, puff pastry and Danish pastry. 

Many cafes sell pastry as a coffee companion, because it feels suitable for snacks.

If you plan to open a cafe and eatery, make sure there is an option for pastry to attract more customers.

Which one is suitable for your business?

Now you understand the difference between cafe, eatery, and bistro. So, which concept is the most suitable for your business?

• If you want a relaxed place to hang out with coffee as the main menu, choose cafe
• If you want a place to eat with an elegant atmosphere and a quality menu, choose a bistro
• If you want a more flexible concept and sell a variety of foods, choose an eatery.

Whatever you choose, make sure the operational system also runs smoothly. One way to make your business more efficient is to use a digital cashier system such as ESB POSLite in ESB POS.

Conclusion

Choosing the right culinary business concept is crucial for attracting customers and creating an experience that aligns with your target market.

Cafés, bistros, and eateries have significant differences in terms of menu, ambiance, and operations:

• Cafés are ideal for those who want to offer a hangout spot with a focus on coffee and light snacks.
• Bistros provide a more elegant dining experience with high-quality menus and a premium atmosphere.
• Eateries are a more flexible option, offering various types of food in a casual setting.

Now that you know the differences between cafés, bistros, and eateries, it's time to make your business more efficient! ESB POSLite and ESB POS can be the perfect solutions to simplify and speed up your operations.

These systems are already integrated with delivery services like GrabFood and GoFood, making it easy for you to receive online orders.

Don’t wait any longer! Contact the ESB Team to try ESB POSLite or upgrade to the more advanced ESB POS.

Are you ready to start your dream F&B business?