at the restaurant vs At a restaurant

Both 'at the restaurant' and 'at a restaurant' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'At the restaurant' is used when referring to a specific restaurant that has been previously mentioned or is known to the listener. On the other hand, 'at a restaurant' is used when talking about any restaurant in general or when the specific restaurant is not important.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 2372 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific restaurant that has been previously mentioned or is known to the listener.

"at the restaurant"

Use 'at the restaurant' when you are talking about a particular restaurant that has been mentioned before or is familiar to the listener. It implies a specific location.

Examples:

I'll meet you at the restaurant we went to last week.
She works at the restaurant down the street.

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought we were meeting at the restaurant.
No one at the restaurant knows where he is.
I felt those guys at the restaurant were following me.
He washes dishes at the restaurant I work at.
I met him at the restaurant where I'm a hostess.
Nicole was last seen at the restaurant with her boyfriend John Butler.
I was trying to explain at the restaurant.
He showed up at the restaurant the other night.
After what happened at the restaurant, it would've been easy.
Boss, we're almost at the restaurant.
Must've been those chairs at the restaurant.
I left it at the restaurant.
The police are downstairs at the restaurant.
I figured as much at the restaurant.
If Chan has a problem, let me know at the restaurant.
There's food at the restaurant with Wendy and Mark.
Know that new hostess at the restaurant...
Just heard back from our team at the restaurant.
You looked like a ghost in that picture at the restaurant.
I carry too many plates and drinks at the restaurant.

Alternatives:

at that restaurant
at this restaurant
at our favorite restaurant
at the Italian restaurant
at the new restaurant

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to any restaurant in general or when the specific restaurant is not important.

"At a restaurant"

Use 'at a restaurant' when you are talking about dining out in general or when the focus is on the activity rather than the specific location.

Examples:

Let's meet at a restaurant for dinner.
She enjoys eating at a restaurant rather than cooking at home.

Show examples from the web [+]

At a restaurant, not in a car of a married math teacher.
Apparently our guy works at a restaurant.
At a restaurant, that's a different thing.
At a restaurant in Little Zagreb in Pottstown.
You have won a dinner for two at A Restaurant.
You know, Sam finally made reservations at a restaurant, which he never does.
I knew I'd seen him before- At my dry cleaners, At a restaurant.
The other night at a restaurant this guy starts choking.
We're at a restaurant, and she's, like, feeding him.
I am a chef at a restaurant uptown.
The Supreme Leader requests your presence at a restaurant in Pyongyang for dinner.
I'm behind bars - you're at a restaurant.
The critic was poisoned at a restaurant.
If we was at a restaurant I would send it back.
She's meeting her sister tonight for dinner at a restaurant.
I threatened her at a restaurant.
There's a job, at a restaurant.
She went to Kanazawa and worked at a restaurant.
We can go eat at a restaurant, at a canteen.
I'm with my new family at a restaurant now.

Alternatives:

at any restaurant
at some restaurant
at a nice restaurant
at a local restaurant
at a fancy restaurant

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at the restaurant vs At a restaurant