Café Terrace at Night is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most luminous and inviting works, capturing a warmly lit outdoor café in Arles, France, under a deep blue night sky. Painted in September 1888, the scene portrays a quiet yet vibrant atmosphere, where figures sit at tables beneath the glow of hanging lanterns, while the cobblestone street and surrounding buildings frame the composition.

Van Gogh's use of bold contrasting colors—the golden yellow of the café against the rich blues of the night—creates a striking visual harmony. The absence of black in the night sky, replaced by deep blues and purples, exemplifies his fascination with the expressive power of color and light. The placement of the stars suggests an early exploration of celestial themes, later seen in The Starry Night.

This painting is often noted for its perspective and depth, drawing the viewer into the scene, making them feel like an observer within the warmly lit café. Though unsigned, Van Gogh wrote about the work in letters, confirming its significance. Now housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands, Café Terrace at Night remains one of his most beloved and frequently reproduced paintings.