cafeteria UK /ˌka.fə.ˈtɪə̯.ɹi.ə/US /ˌkæ.fə.ˈtɪ(ə).ɹi.ə/ noun2 •A restaurant in which customers select their food at a counter then carry it on a tray to a table to eat. •(US, Canada) A dining area in an institution where meals may be purchased (as above), provided, or brought in from elsewhere. formscafeterias · caféterias