cafeteria

A cafeteria is a self-service dining facility where customers pick meals from a display of prepared foods, pay at a checkout, and carry their selections to a table or take them to go.

Patrons typically move along a service line, selecting items from hot and cold stations, with utensils, beverages, and condiments available at separate counters. Food safety, portion control, and efficient throughput are central concerns in high-volume operations.

Layout features usually include a dining area, a serving area with steam tables or display cases, a beverage bar, a dessert counter, and a checkout station. Some cafeterias also offer self-serve salad bars or grab-and-go sections.

Cafeterias are common in schools, hospitals, corporate offices, universities, and government buildings. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Asia, the term canteen is commonly used for similar facilities.

The modern cafeteria-style service emerged in the United States in the late 19th to early 20th centuries as a way to feed large numbers efficiently. The model spread to workplaces and schools and later to other institutions.

Modern cafeterias face trends such as digital payments, nutrition labeling, allergen information, and menu diversification. Some have reduced waste with tray-less dining, upgraded to grab-and-go options, or integrated micro markets and vending components.