Cafeterien

Cafeterien is the plural of Cafeterie, a German term for a self-service dining area or cafeteria. It refers to a facility where customers select from prepared meals, beverages, and snacks at a counter or buffet and pay at a checkout. Cafeterien are commonly found in institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, factories, and office complexes, as well as in some airports and shopping centers.

Etymology and usage. The word Cafeterie derives from the French cafétérie and was adopted into German as Cafeterie. The standard plural form in German is Cafeterien. The term emphasizes a self-service or cafeteria-style dining arrangement, though regional usage varies. In some contexts, especially older or more formal settings, other terms may be preferred to describe similar facilities.

Relation to other terms. In German, Kantine is the more general word for an employee canteen, while Mensa refers specifically to university meal halls. Cafeterie generally connotes a self-service setup and a distinct dining area, whereas a Kantine might be understood as a broader employee dining facility. In everyday speech, Cafeterie can appear in signage or descriptions within organizations that use a cafeteria model.

See also. Cafeteria, Kantine, Mensa, Canteen.

Note. The term’s exact connotations can vary by region and institution. When documenting a specific location, it helps to reference local usage to distinguish Cafeterien from similar facilities.