13 Must-Visit Cafes in Paris, France
Paris is home to thousands of cafes; there is a caf茅 on practically every street corner you turn, in every square you stumble across, on every boulevard you stroll along. The age-old Parisian tradition of sitting around at rickety tables and shooting back espressos is a fundamental part of everyday life here. So yes, it鈥檚 easy to find a caf茅 in Paris, but it鈥檚 not always easy to find a good caf茅. Use this comprehensive guide to find your way to the best coffees, teas, cakes and patisseries that the city has to offer. Prepare to indulge yourself!
(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris)
1. La Caf茅oth猫que
The flagship of Paris鈥� coffee revolution, this is a coffee purist鈥檚 paradise. The venue clearly states its purpose by the gleaming coffee roasting machine that takes pride of place in the window and rumbles away from open til close. The caf茅 doesn鈥檛 have a particularly appealing exterior, but step inside and you鈥檒l find three calm, spacious salons with a tapestry of irresistible aromas wafting through them.
La Caf茅oth猫que is the brainchild of Gloria Montenegro, former Guatemalan ambassador, who has made it her mission to oust the acrid swill that is often served in Paris鈥� caf茅s. She imports from small plantations in all of the world鈥檚 coffee hotspots and operates on a principle of direct trade with the producers. The trained baristas that staff the coffee shop zip around behind the two bars handling the Marzocco espresso machines with easy expertise. They are always more than happy to guide you through the slightly overwhelming menu. The caf茅 is not only a coffee shop but also functions as a venue for lectures, conferences, expositions and workshops on coffee-culture, the details for which can be found on the website.
La Caf茅oth猫que is the brainchild of Gloria Montenegro, former Guatemalan ambassador, who has made it her mission to oust the acrid swill that is often served in Paris鈥� caf茅s. She imports from small plantations in all of the world鈥檚 coffee hotspots and operates on a principle of direct trade with the producers. The trained baristas that staff the coffee shop zip around behind the two bars handling the Marzocco espresso machines with easy expertise. They are always more than happy to guide you through the slightly overwhelming menu. The caf茅 is not only a coffee shop but also functions as a venue for lectures, conferences, expositions and workshops on coffee-culture, the details for which can be found on the website.
Where to find it:
52 Rue de l鈥橦么tel de Ville, Paris, France, 75004Phone: +33 153018384
Working Hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:30am鈥�07:30pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00am-07:30pm
http://www.lacafeotheque.com
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2. 10 Belles
Dive off the main street running alongside Canal Saint Martin and you鈥檒l find this little gem. It鈥檚 a tiny place with simple pinewood d茅cor, a snug mezzanine, cute fold-out stools and 鈥榬eal鈥� coffee. When you manage to tear your eyes from the counter鈥檚 ravishing display of freshly baked scones, almond slices and chunks of marble cake the size of doorsteps, you鈥檒l notice the shelves lined with packets of coffee beans from Guatemala, Ethiopia, Honduras and Kenya.
The dynamic French owner Thomas Lehoux appears to be the fountain of all coffee-related knowledge, gained from his extensive experience in Paris鈥� barista scene. He only opened 10 Belles in September 2012, but it took off immediately and he has enjoyed a constant flow of coffee-loving customers since then. Food-wise, aside from the fabulous cakes, you鈥檒l find a lunch menu consisting of sausage rolls, sandwiches and salads with prices ranging from 5鈧� to 7.50鈧�. The Englishness of the menu is explained by Anne Trattles鈥� presence in the kitchen. She鈥檚 an English-born, Paris-trained pastry chef who started work in the caf茅 in June 2013. Both the food and coffee menu undergo a complete re-haul every few months in order to keep in tune with seasonal produce.
The dynamic French owner Thomas Lehoux appears to be the fountain of all coffee-related knowledge, gained from his extensive experience in Paris鈥� barista scene. He only opened 10 Belles in September 2012, but it took off immediately and he has enjoyed a constant flow of coffee-loving customers since then. Food-wise, aside from the fabulous cakes, you鈥檒l find a lunch menu consisting of sausage rolls, sandwiches and salads with prices ranging from 5鈧� to 7.50鈧�. The Englishness of the menu is explained by Anne Trattles鈥� presence in the kitchen. She鈥檚 an English-born, Paris-trained pastry chef who started work in the caf茅 in June 2013. Both the food and coffee menu undergo a complete re-haul every few months in order to keep in tune with seasonal produce.
Where to find it:
10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, Paris, France, 75010Phone: +33 142409078
Working Hours:
Tue鈥揊ri: 08:00鈥�18:00
Sat鈥揝un: 09:00鈥�19:00
http://www.tenbelles.com
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3. L鈥櫭゜ouillant茅
With an eye catching electric blue exterior, this delightful caf茅 boasts a lovely location in a leafy cobbled street on the edge of the Marais district. From the tables by the shop front window you can look out at one of Paris鈥� stunning churches. Before the caf茅 opened in 1977 the space was used as an artist鈥檚 studio, a history which is commemorated by the quirky melange of posters of past Parisian art exhibitions which plaster the walls. The caf茅 offers a good variety of teas and coffees (between 2.50 鈧� and 5.50 鈧�), but also some interesting alternatives to your usual hot drinks, such as milk flavoured with honey or vanilla and hot, spiced orange or apple juice. Along with your drink of choice you can have one of the caf茅鈥檚 delicious home-made cakes, all served with a healthy dollop of cr猫me fraiche. You鈥檒l find lunches of soup, salads, quiche and crepes with prices between 6 鈧� and 16鈧� as well as a copious Sunday brunch at 21 鈧�.
Where to find it:
6 Rue des Barres, Paris, France, 75004Phone: +33 142747052
Working Hours:
March鈥揙ctober: Mon-Sun: 12:00鈥�22:00
November鈥揊ebruary: Mon-Sun: 12:00鈥�19:00
http://www.restaurant-ebouillante.fr
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4. Caf茅 La Fus茅e
This enchantingly scruffy venue epitomises French bohemian charm. A cheerful red and white striped awning adorned with multicoloured bulbs shelters the animated chatter of the heated terrace. Inside you find an old mahogany bar with enormous bundles of saucisson dangling from the low ceiling above it. Small groups claim the wooden tables while solo customers perch on bar stools cradling their midday glass of wine. You鈥檒l find the usual range of hot drinks (2 鈧� for a coffee to 3.80 鈧� for grog) and a choice of cookie, brownie or muffin to nibble at alongside. For later in the day there are also wines, aperitifs and cocktails all at wonderfully low prices. Breakfasts range from 鈥榣e petit鈥� at 2.80 鈧� (coffee, toast, butter and jam) to 鈥榣e grand鈥� at 12.50 鈧� (coffee, pancakes, eggs, cheese and ham).
Where to find it:
168 Rue Saint-Martin, Paris, France, 75003Phone: +33 1427693 99
Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 09:00am鈥�02:00am
Sun: 10:00am-02:00am
5. Le Loir dans la Th茅i猫re
Blink and you miss it, it鈥檚 the sort of place that you鈥檒l only find if you鈥檙e looking for it. Behind the unimposing exterior you鈥檒l find two rooms crammed with a motley assortment of rickety wooden tables and old leather armchairs. The caf茅 takes its name (which translates as 鈥榯he dormouse in the teapot鈥�) from the unfortunate character who features in the Mad Hatter鈥檚 tea party in Lewis Carroll鈥檚 Alice in Wonderland. This theme is playfully continued with paintings of the famous scene on the walls of the caf茅. Aside from its quirky appearance, the caf茅 has the added attraction of making and selling some of the best cakes in town, including the spectacular lemon meringue tart which has become something of a trademark. All cakes are priced at 7鈧�, but you do get an extremely generous portion. Coffee prices go from 2.50鈧� to 4.50鈧� and there is a selection of teas and tisanes at 5鈧�. You鈥檒l also find quiches and omelettes all at 9.50鈧�. Beware of teatime queues at the weekend.
Where to find it:
3 Rue des Rosiers, Paris, France, 75004Phone: +33 142729061
Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 09:00am鈥�07:30pm
6. Kooka Boora
Here鈥檚 another of the new wave of 鈥榩roper鈥� coffee shops springing up all over Paris. Owner Nicolas Pi茅gay found his inspiration in the coffee specialists of Australia, which explains the presence of flat whites, mochaccinos and even iced coffees. Prices range from 2.50鈧� to 4.50鈧�. Alternatively you can try the fresh fruit juice creations which are made for you there and then from the fruit crates lined up along the counter. Perhaps something to do with its 鈥楢ussie鈥� influence, the caf茅 has a very chilled out feel to it. Customers are welcome to sit and while away an hour or so with a book, laptop or newspaper. It is ideally located in a quiet corner of Pigalle, facing out onto a leafy square from which you can just glimpse the gleaming white domes of the Sacr茅 Coeur. Liquids aside, you can get scrumptious cakes, salads and sandwiches, all very reasonably priced.
Where to find it:
53 Avenue Trudaine, Paris, France, 75009Phone: +33 156921241
Working Hours:
Mon鈥揊ri: 07:30鈥�18:30
Sat鈥揝un: 09:00鈥�18:30
http://kbcafeshop@facebook.com
7. Patisserie Viennoise
Take half an hour to stop in at this little haven just a stone鈥檚 throw away from Boulevard Saint Germain. First opened in 1928, to this day the patisserie-cum-caf茅 specialises in traditional French cakes and pastries. The selection is, however, by no means limited; whether you want gooey, chocolaty, crunchy, fruity, nutty or syrupy, you鈥檒l find it here, along with the usual range of coffees and herbal teas between 2鈧� and 4.30鈧�. If it鈥檚 not a cake you鈥檙e after, the caf茅 also offers salads, basic pasta dishes and lovely sandwiches that you can have as part of a formula (6.50鈧� for sandwich + drink, 9.50鈧� for sandwich + drink + dessert). Make sure you go with cash, as the caf茅 doesn鈥檛 accept cards.
Where to find it:
8 Rue de l鈥櫭塩ole de M茅decine, Paris, France, 75006Phone: +33 143266048
Working Hours:
Mon鈥揊ri: 09:00鈥�19:00
8. Sugarplum Cake Shop
This is one for all the North Americans and Canadians who are craving a taste of home. The caf茅 was opened four years ago by American and Canadian duo Krista and Taylor who have built up quite a name for themselves in the cake-making industry, and not without reason. In the caf茅 you鈥檒l find the full range of American-inspired goodies; muffins, cupcakes, cookies, impressive three-tiered cakes and, of course, pecan and pumpkin pies. Prices are between 2.80 鈧� and 4.50 鈧�. For drinks you can pick from a selection of teas, fresh fruit juices, iced tea and lemonade, or you can have the baristas whip you up a flat white. The cake-making pair do wedding and birthday cakes on demand, as well as pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving.
Where to find it:
68 Rue de Cardinal Lemoine, Paris, France, 75005Phone: +33 146340743
Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10:00鈥�20:00
Sun: 10:00-19:00
http://www.sugarplumcakeshop.com
9. Caf茅 Charbon
Cafe Charbon is housed in a listed building with a facade dating from 1890. On the wall panels above the large and aged mirrors there are frescos depicting images of the Parisian cabaret of the 1900鈥檚, and the hotchpotch of painted floor tiles mark the different styles of eras passed. The impressive wrought iron chandeliers that hang down from the high ceiling are actually inversed candelabras, and the striking lamps above the bar were apparently salvaged from a Greek fishing boat鈥r so the story goes.
Civilised and picturesque by day, the epicentre of Oberkampf鈥檚 nightlife by night. Drinks are inexpensive and the cafe hosts live bands every Thursday in their 鈥榗oncert corner鈥�, to which entry is free. Coffees are not too expensive, with an espresso at 2 鈧� and a cappuccino at 3.60 鈧�. There are also some surprisingly unconventional options for an old Parisian caf茅, such as a chai tea latte at 4.10 鈧�, home-made mint tea at 3.60 鈧�, and milkshakes at 4.90 鈧�. There are breakfasts between 3.50 鈧� 鈥� 10.50 鈧�, and a small but appealing lunch and dinner menu.
Civilised and picturesque by day, the epicentre of Oberkampf鈥檚 nightlife by night. Drinks are inexpensive and the cafe hosts live bands every Thursday in their 鈥榗oncert corner鈥�, to which entry is free. Coffees are not too expensive, with an espresso at 2 鈧� and a cappuccino at 3.60 鈧�. There are also some surprisingly unconventional options for an old Parisian caf茅, such as a chai tea latte at 4.10 鈧�, home-made mint tea at 3.60 鈧�, and milkshakes at 4.90 鈧�. There are breakfasts between 3.50 鈧� 鈥� 10.50 鈧�, and a small but appealing lunch and dinner menu.
Where to find it:
109 Rue Oberkampf, Paris, France, 75011Phone: +33 143575513
Working Hours:
Sun鈥揥ed: 09:00鈥�02:00
Thu鈥揝at: 09:00鈥�04:00
10. Caf茅 Verlet
This is perhaps the oldest of Paris鈥� 鈥榩roper coffee鈥� caf茅s. It was estabished at the beginning of the 20th Century by navigator and adventurer August Woehrl茅, who started a business trading products imported from the colonies, such as rice, spices, teas and coffees. The business has remained within the family ever since, and is now run as a coffee house and tea salon by Eric Duchossoy, a barista and coffee/tea tradesman with 20 years of experience behind him.
The caf茅 is rustic without being twee, with simple but attractive window displays of dried fruits and rough weave sacks of coffee beans available for purchase by weight. The menu has a coffee list three pages long, noting the qualities and origins of each, plus a further four pages of teas. Whilst it is primarily a coffee/tea house, there is a small lunch menu with croque monsieurs at 7.50 鈧�, salads at 10 鈧� and quiches at 11 鈧�. M. Duchossoy does direct trade with plantations who uphold the values of humane and eco-friendly production. He roasts the beans in-house himself for optimum freshness.
The caf茅 is rustic without being twee, with simple but attractive window displays of dried fruits and rough weave sacks of coffee beans available for purchase by weight. The menu has a coffee list three pages long, noting the qualities and origins of each, plus a further four pages of teas. Whilst it is primarily a coffee/tea house, there is a small lunch menu with croque monsieurs at 7.50 鈧�, salads at 10 鈧� and quiches at 11 鈧�. M. Duchossoy does direct trade with plantations who uphold the values of humane and eco-friendly production. He roasts the beans in-house himself for optimum freshness.
Where to find it:
256 Rue Saint Honor茅, Paris, France, 75001Phone: +33 142606739
Working Hours:
Mon-Sat: 09:30鈥�18:30
http://www.verlet.fr
11. La Palette
This atmospheric caf茅 is famed for having been frequented by all the greats of Parisian bohemianism, including the likes of Cezanne, Picasso and Braque and then later Ernest Hemingway and Jim Morrison. The caf茅 has a display of the various artists鈥� pallets and paintings, all signed, which used to be routinely exchanged for food and drink. Even the walls themselves bear work from the brushes of the celebrated regulars of years gone by, interspersed with 1930鈥檚 ceramics painted with scenes of Parisian caf茅 life. As French as French can be, the dimmed lights, age-mottled mirrors and bow-tie clad waiters give a sense of gravitas to the place. You can also enjoy the large, heated terrace which is sheltered by a big green and white awning crowned with an array of flourishing pot-plants. The status of the venue is reflected in the prices. You can expect to pay 3鈧� for an espresso and 6.50鈧� for a cappuccino or hot chocolate. There is also a full bar, including cocktails and absinth at 12鈧�.
Where to find it:
43 Rue de Seine, Paris, France, 75006Phone: +33 143266815
Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 08:00am鈥�02:00am
http://www.cafelapalette.com
12. Caf茅 de Flore
Possibly Paris鈥� most famous caf茅, Flore boasts a list of big name customers past and present as long as my arm. The caf茅, which takes its name from the little sculpture of the goddess across the street, started out in 1887 as the workshop of the great French poet Appolinaire, and fast became the heart of Parisian literary and artistic life. References to Flore can be found in the letters and scribblings of Europe鈥檚 great thinkers, such as Beauvoir, Sartre and Signoret. In the 1930s the caf茅 was more or less exclusively occupied by the up-and-coming literary geniuses of the era. It later became the haunt of cinematic artists such as Roman Polanski and Brigitte Bardot, not to mention fashion giants Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy.
History aside, the caf茅 has a very extensive drinks list with wine prices between 35 鈧�/bottle and 2500 鈧�/bottle (if you鈥檙e feeling frivolous). There鈥檚 a selection of teas at 5.40 鈧� supplied by the venerated tea house Mariage Fr猫res, and all the usual coffees from 4.10 鈧� upwards. The light meals on offer include sandwiches, omlets, salads, pat茅s, cheese platters and (naturally) caviar, and ice-creams and desserts for after. The breakfasts at 25 鈧� are comprised of a hot drink, patisserie and fresh fruit juice. Get yourself a spot in the sunshine on the terrace, soak up the atmosphere and try not to think too much about the price of your cappuccino.
History aside, the caf茅 has a very extensive drinks list with wine prices between 35 鈧�/bottle and 2500 鈧�/bottle (if you鈥檙e feeling frivolous). There鈥檚 a selection of teas at 5.40 鈧� supplied by the venerated tea house Mariage Fr猫res, and all the usual coffees from 4.10 鈧� upwards. The light meals on offer include sandwiches, omlets, salads, pat茅s, cheese platters and (naturally) caviar, and ice-creams and desserts for after. The breakfasts at 25 鈧� are comprised of a hot drink, patisserie and fresh fruit juice. Get yourself a spot in the sunshine on the terrace, soak up the atmosphere and try not to think too much about the price of your cappuccino.
Where to find it:
172 Boulevard Saint Germain, Paris, France, 75006Phone: +33 145485526
Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 07:30am鈥�01:30am
http://www.cafedeflore.fr
13. Les Deux Magots
The next-door-neighbour of Caf茅 de Flore, Les Deux Magots is another of Paris鈥� classic 鈥榗af茅s de luxe鈥�, and it wears its traditionalism with pride. Largely due to a clientele composed of the likes of Rimbaud, Sartre, Picasso and Hemingway, this caf茅 is also inextricably linked with Paris鈥� literary and artistic scene. It was founded in 1884 and gets its name from the two Chinese figurines that to this day remain as a trademark feature of the caf茅鈥檚 otherwise traditional d茅cor. The caf茅 has a full bar, including cocktails, and the coffee prices start at 4.40 鈧�. Try the caf茅鈥檚 famous old style French hot chocolate at 7.30 鈧�. As well as the proper restaurant menu where you鈥檒l find all the classics, you can also get smaller meals such as sandwiches between 7.80 鈧� and 23.30 鈧�, omelettes from 10.90 鈧� and cheese and charcuterie platters from 6.80 鈧� to 19.20 鈧�. For those with a sweet tooth, have a go at the rather exclusive selection of tarts, cakes or Pierre Herm茅 macarons. Once again, given the caf茅鈥檚 renown, expect to pay a little more than the average.
Where to find it:
6 Place Saint Germain-des-Pr猫s, Paris, France, 75006Phone: +33 14548525
Working Hours:
Mon-Sun: 07:30鈥�01:00
http://www.lesdeauxmagots.fr
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Walking Tours in Paris, France
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Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
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