restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər 

variants or less commonly restauranteur

ˌre-stə-ˌrän-ˈtər 

: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

Did you know?

Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Electric Lemon From restaurateur Stephen Starr, this 24th-floor oasis located in the Equinox Hotel was designed by the Rockwell Group and features an expansive 8,000-square-foot terrace overlooking the Hudson River. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

After 10 years at the luxury mall, Le Zoo from restaurateur Stephen Starr, will be serving shoppers, residents and tourists no more. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

Related Articles Allen seeks Ward 4 seat; Hamline-Midway Coalition disavows Hanson campaign Twin Cities restaurateur David Burley dies in motorcycle accident Rob Clapp: I’m invested in St. Paul. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025

Longtime Little Italy restaurateur Joe Busalacchi will lead a series of intimate Tavolo Tasting Tours of his family’s restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. April 14-16 and 19-21. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French restaurateur, from Late Latin restaurator restorer, from Latin restaurare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for restaurateur

• entrepreneur
• amateur
• connoisseur
• kieselguhr
• monseigneur
• procureur
• retransfer
• saboteur
• silencer
• voyageur
• birr
• blur

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Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər 

variants also restauranteur

-ˌrän- 

: a person who owns or runs a restaurant