noun
restaurant
B1
Gaststätte (die, Plural: Gaststätten) means restaurant or eating establishment, often a pub, inn, or place serving meals. Feminine noun with regular plural 'Gaststätten'. No reflexive or auxiliary. Used in formal and everyday German to refer to places where food and drink are served; sometimes implies traditional or local venue.
Examples
Der Bürgermeister eröffnete eine neue Gaststätte, obwohl die Genehmigung spät eingetroffen war.
The mayor opened a new restaurant even though the permit had arrived late.
Die Gaststätte an der Ecke ist besonders bei Familien beliebt.
The restaurant on the corner is especially popular with families.
Ich gehe in eine Gaststätte.
I'm going to a restaurant.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a busy dining room with a sign 'Gaststätte' above the door.
Think 'guest-stätte' — a place for guests to eat (restaurant).
Die Gaststätte — feminine (die). Imagine a hostess (she) welcoming guests into the restaurant.
Notes
Gaststätte is a general term for an eating establishment and can overlap with 'Restaurant' or 'Gasthaus' depending on formality and region. Feminine noun.