What does restaurateur mean?
A restaurateur is a person who owns, manages, or operates a restaurant. In British and American English, the term can refer to a proprietor as well as a hands-on manager or operator, although it does not by itself mean that the person is the chef. The word is especially common in journalism, reviews, and profiles of the hospitality industry, where it lends a slightly formal and professional tone. Derived from French, restaurateur is related to restaurant and to restore, placing it within a wider family of words associated with restoring. In everyday conversation, restaurant owner or proprietor may sound more direct, while restaurateur often suggests culinary ambition, hospitality, or recognition in the dining world. For that reason, a celebrity restaurateur may be known as much for managing the business and cultivating a distinctive atmosphere as for preparing individual dishes. The word remains useful because it identifies a role distinct from both the diners who patronize an establishment and the chefs who work in its kitchen.
nounA restaurateur is a person who owns, manages, or operates a restaurant. The term may refer to a proprietor or to a hands-on hospitality professional.
- A person who owns, manages, or operates a restaurant.
"The celebrated restaurateur greeted regulars by name and personally inspected the dining room before service."
"The restaurant opened under the direction of a restaurateur with a reputation for warm, attentive hospitality."
"In her profile of the city's culinary scene, the journalist interviewed several leading restaurateurs."
The regular plural adds -s and does not take an apostrophe.
"The final featured three renowned restaurateurs who had transformed traditional regional cuisine."
Borrowed from French, restaurateur began with the idea of restoring; in English, it now means the person behind the restaurant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does restaurateur come from?
The word comes from French restaurateur, meaning a restorer and later a restaurant proprietor, and was borrowed into English during the 18th century. It belongs to the same French and Latin-derived vocabulary as restaurant, restore, restoration, and restorative. Its ultimate root is the Latin restaurare, meaning to restore or make well again.
How restaurateur is actually used
A formal and commonly journalistic term that can denote an owner, manager, or operator. It does not necessarily imply that the person is also the chef.
Easily confused with restaurateur
A restaurateur runs a restaurant, whereas a restaurator repairs or restores objects, artworks, or buildings.