In Germany, there are many cafés (often combined with restaurants) that are
- located in a nice setting, typically close to, but a bit outside the next settlement (or inside a small village)
- mainly catering to people on short excursions, walking or cycling, by serving coffee, soft drinks, cakes and light meals
- typically with nice outdoor seating, because they are mainly frequented during good weather
These are usually called Ausflugscafé – literally "pleasure trip cafe". They are found a lot in tourist areas, but also on the fringes of big cities, in areas where the inhabitants of the city go to get some fresh air.
Typical examples can be seen on a Google search for "Ausflugscafé" – many cafés call themselves "Ausflugscafé".
Is there an English word (or expression) for this type of café? Or is this simply a German phenomenon?
Best Answer
In the UK, they are sometimes called tea rooms, but these are also found in urban areas. You will often find tea rooms in countryside attractions such as reservoirs and nature reserves, and they can sometimes be found in country parks (and urban parks). Country pubs often have tea gardens where you can enjoy light refreshments and children can play.
National parks, such as Dartmoor, sometimes have country pubs that are miles from anywhere, and they will generally have a tea garden and serve food throughout the day rather than at specific times. The only problem is finding a seat during the tourist season, since they tend to be very busy. If you are visiting the UK, it is a good idea to do some research to find out where they are.
The only other institution that comes anywhere close is the transport cafe, but these are designed mainly for truck-drivers and are often desultory affairs.
Finding decent places for refreshment in the country is difficult in the UK and has been for a long time. Your best option if you are hungry is to head for the nearest town, find a pub, and hope that they are serving food. I would like to be able to say "head for the nearest village", but most village pubs have closed.
Cambridge Dictionary: tea room
Cambridge Dictionary: tea garden
Cambridge Dictionary: transport café
Visit Dartmoor: food & drink