A
restaurant ( or ; ) is a
business which prepares and serves food and drinks to customers in exchange for money, either paid before the meal, after the meal, or with an open account. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer
take-out and
food delivery services, and some only offer take-out and delivery. Restaurants vary greatly in appearance and offerings, including a wide variety of
cuisines and
service models ranging from inexpensive
fast food restaurants and
cafeterias to mid-priced
family restaurants, to high-priced luxury establishments. In Western countries, most mid- to high-range restaurants serve
alcoholic beverages such as
beer and
wine. Some restaurants serve all the major meals, such as
breakfast,
lunch and
dinner (e.g., major fast food chains, diners, hotel restaurants, and airport restaurants). Other restaurants may only serve a single meal (e.g., a
pancake house may only serve breakfast) or they may serve two meals (e.g., lunch and dinner).