1827, from Fr.
restaurant "a restaurant" (said to have been used in Paris c.1765 by Boulanger), originally "food that restores," noun use of prp. of
restaurer "to restore or refresh," from O.Fr.
restorer (see
restore).
Restaurateur is 1796, from Fr.
restaurateur, agent noun from
restaurer "to restore," on model of L.L.
restaurator "restorer."