Essentially, not very much. A bistro is a type of restaurant and is just further defined as smaller and more casual than a fine dining establishment. Often, a bistro is described as more of a neighborhood restaurant with community ties, and a warm, cozy, inviting atmosphere.

The Origin Of The Word Bistro Etymologists identify the first uses of the term bistro in France in the early 19th Century. Bistro was originally conceived as French slang that referred to a little cafe or wine shop. This slang term was co-opted by the French from Russian invaders during the 1814 occupation of Paris.

A restaurant is typically considered a bistro if it offers a cozy and informal atmosphere, a limited yet curated menu, and a smaller size than traditional restaurants.

Bistros originated in France and typically serve casual French food, even (often but not always) in the United States. However, colloquially speaking, “bistro” describes a style of restaurant that is small, casual, and intimate.