What word means "eating place"?

The word "dormitory" means "sleeping place". Is there any similar word for "eating place"?


There's also refectory:

A refectory (also frater, frater house, fratery) is a dining room, especially in monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions. One of the places it is most often used today is in graduate seminaries. It is derived from the Latin reficere: to remake or restore, via Late Latin refectorium, which means a place one goes to be restored. [Wikipedia]

the root of which it shares with restaurant:

Modern restaurants ... emerged only in 18th-century Europe, although similar establishments had also developed in China. A restaurant owner is called a restaurateur; both words derive from the French verb restaurer, meaning "to restore". [Wikipedia]

Oh, and of course beanery, hash house, greasy spoon, & automat.


Maybe you're looking for the word "eatery".

One of the best eateries in town.

Also the phrase "eating place" is very common.

There are some other words that I don't think you're looking for them. But you can also check them out.

Other words: cafe, self-service, diner, bistro, cafeteria, canteen, brasserie


There are lots of words for "eating place": dining room, cafeteria, restaurant, mess hall (military), galley (Navy), and so on.

Be aware that "dormitory" has a specific meaning, and is usually associated with schools, especially colleges. There are other words for sleeping place, including bedroom. If you're wondering if there are any words for eating place that are derived from the Latin meaning "eat" (as dormitory is from the Latin word for "sleep"), I'm not aware of any.


Some common "eating place" words are:

bar, cafeteria, café, canteen, chophouse, coffee shop, diner, dining room, dive, doughtnut shop, drive-in, eatery, eating house, eating place, fast-food place, greasy spoon, grill, hamburger stand, hashery, hideaway, hotdog stand, inn, joint*, luncheonette, lunchroom, night club, outlet*, pizzeria, saloon, soda fountain, watering holesrc


There is no single word for eating place, there are many.

  • Restaurant
  • Diner
  • Cafeteria
  • Eatery

You have to make a choice.