35 Best Cafes in Paris You Need to Visit
As participants in Amazon Associates and other programs, we earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you. For more details, see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Ah, Paris. Just saying the name conjures images of charming streets, iconic landmarks, and of course, the quintessential Parisian cafe. Stopping for a coffee, a glass of wine, or a simple bite while watching the world go by isn’t just a break; it’s a cherished ritual woven into the fabric of city life. From grand, historic establishments to tiny neighbourhood spots, there’s a cafe for every mood and moment.
Exploring these cafes is like taking a journey through Parisian culture itself. Each has its own story, its own character. Whether you’re seeking a taste of literary history, a spot with picture-perfect views, or just a truly excellent cup of coffee, the city delivers. Let’s wander through some of the best places to pull up a chair and soak it all in.
Les Deux Magots
This legendary spot in Saint-Germain-des-Prés feels like stepping back in time. Opened in 1885, ‘Les Deux Magots’ takes its name from two wooden statues of Chinese figures, or ‘magots’, that still preside over the main room. It quickly became a favourite haunt for the literary and artistic elite; think Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso holding court on its terrace or inside its classic interior.
Today, it remains a popular, albeit pricey, destination. Come for the history and the people-watching in one of Paris’s most iconic intellectual neighbourhoods. While known more for its past than its cutting-edge coffee, having a drink here connects you to generations of artists and writers who found inspiration within its walls. It’s right opposite the ancient Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, adding to the historic atmosphere.
Café de Flore
Just a stone’s throw from ‘Les Deux Magots’, ‘Café de Flore’ shares a similar prestigious history and elegant Art Deco interior. It was the other major headquarters for intellectuals and artists throughout the 20th century, often seen as a friendly rival to its neighbour. Figures like Albert Camus and Georges Bataille were regulars, making it another cornerstone of Left Bank literary life.
The Flore maintains its classic charm, with red booths, mirrored walls, and traditionally dressed waiters. It’s famous for its rich, old-fashioned hot chocolate (chocolat chaud), perfect on a chilly day. Sitting on its terrace offers prime people-watching on Boulevard Saint-Germain, though like its rival, expect premium prices for the privilege of soaking up the historic ambiance.
Carette
With locations at Place des Vosges and Place du Trocadéro, ‘Carette’ offers pure Parisian elegance. It’s particularly renowned for its patisserie, making it a wonderful stop for afternoon tea or a sweet treat. The Trocadéro spot boasts stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, making it a particularly sought-after location, especially when the tower sparkles at night.
Founded in 1927, Carette has a timeless, slightly formal feel with its Art Deco touches and beautifully presented pastries. Their macarons are often highlighted, alongside delicate finger sandwiches and rich hot chocolate. It’s a place to indulge your sweet tooth in a refined setting, feeling very much like a Parisian treat.
Shakespeare and Company Café
Located right next door to the legendary English-language bookstore ‘Shakespeare and Company’, this cafe offers a cosy, literary vibe with unbeatable views. You can sip your coffee while gazing across the Seine at Notre Dame Cathedral. It opened relatively recently compared to the historic giants, bringing a fresh energy while honouring the bookstore’s spirit.
The cafe often features healthy, simple food, including vegetarian and vegan options, alongside good coffee. It naturally attracts book lovers browsing next door, creating a relaxed, Anglophone-friendly atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot to rest after exploring the Latin Quarter or to write in your journal, inspired by the setting.
Boot Café
Tucked away in the trendy Marais district, ‘Boot Café’ is delightfully tiny. Housed in a former shoe repair shop (‘Cordonnerie’), it retains the charming old blue storefront, making it instantly recognisable. This spot is all about the excellent specialty coffee, served without fuss in an intimate setting.
Don’t expect sprawling tables; seating is very limited, often just a couple of spots inside and maybe a bench outside. It’s more of a grab-and-go place or somewhere for a quick, high-quality caffeine fix while exploring the Marais’s boutiques and galleries. Its diminutive size is part of its unique appeal.
Fragments
This cosy spot near the Place des Vosges in the Marais is a favourite for serious coffee lovers. ‘Fragments’ has a rustic, slightly hidden feel, making it seem like a great local find. They focus on carefully sourced beans and well-executed espresso drinks, often featuring guest roasters.
Beyond the coffee, they are well known for their delicious avocado toast and other simple, quality breakfast and brunch items. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, less about historic grandeur and more about enjoying a perfectly made flat white in a comfortable setting. It’s a great place to start your day before exploring the neighbourhood.
Ten Belles
With a couple of locations, including one near Canal Saint-Martin, ‘Ten Belles’ is a key player in Paris’s specialty coffee scene. Founded by Thomas Lehoux, a respected figure in the French coffee world, the focus here is squarely on quality brews, often using beans roasted by Belleville Brûlerie.
The cafes have a contemporary, often bustling vibe. Besides great coffee, they offer tasty baked goods, scones, and simple sandwiches. The original spot near the canal is quite small, often with people spilling out onto the pavement, adding to the lively neighbourhood feel popular with a younger crowd.
Holybelly 5
Located in the 10th arrondissement, ‘Holybelly 5’ (referring to its address at 5 Rue Lucien Sampaix) is incredibly popular, especially for breakfast and brunch. They serve up Melbourne-style breakfasts, think pancakes, eggs any style, and specialty coffee, all day long. Expect queues, particularly on weekends.
The atmosphere is energetic and friendly, with English often spoken by the staff. They focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and change their menu regularly. It’s a place known for its consistency and quality, bringing a slice of Australian cafe culture to Paris. A second location, ‘Holybelly 19’, is just down the street.
KB CaféShop
Situated in the heart of South Pigalle (SoPi), ‘KB CaféShop’ is a bustling spot popular with locals and freelancers. They roast their own beans under the name ‘KB Coffee Roasters’, ensuring freshness and quality control. The large terrace offers great people-watching opportunities in this vibrant neighbourhood.
Inside, the vibe is often busy, with laptops welcome during certain hours. They offer a good range of coffee drinks, teas, juices, and light bites like pastries and granola. It’s a solid choice for excellent coffee roasted in-house while soaking up the trendy SoPi atmosphere, an area known for its cool shops and bars.
Coutume Café
‘Coutume’ was one of the pioneers of the specialty coffee movement in Paris when it opened in the 7th arrondissement. They take coffee very seriously, often employing various brewing methods like V60 or Aeropress alongside standard espresso. The space feels a bit like a laboratory, reflecting their precise approach.
They also offer a substantial food menu, often with healthy options, making it a good spot for lunch or brunch. The atmosphere is bright and modern, attracting a mix of locals and visitors who appreciate a scientific approach to coffee brewing. It’s a place to learn about coffee origins and flavours.
Café Méricourt
Run by the same team behind the popular ‘Oberkampf Café’, ‘Café Méricourt’ offers a similarly bright and welcoming space in the 11th arrondissement. It’s known for its delicious and beautifully presented brunch dishes, often with Middle Eastern influences. Think shakshuka or their famous ‘green eggs and feta’.
The coffee programme is strong, featuring specialty beans and skilled baristas. The cafe itself is light-filled and decorated with plants, creating a fresh and airy atmosphere. It’s a popular weekend brunch destination, so be prepared for a potential wait, but the vibrant food and good coffee make it worthwhile.
Le Peloton Café
Located near the Hôtel de Ville in the Marais, ‘Le Peloton Café’ combines two passions: great coffee and cycling. Run by friendly English-speaking staff, it has a relaxed, community feel. It’s a hub for both coffee aficionados and bike enthusiasts, even offering bike rentals and tours through their sister company, Bike About Tours.
They serve excellent coffee, often using beans from local roasters, alongside tasty treats like their signature waffles. The atmosphere is welcoming and unpretentious, making it easy to strike up a conversation. It’s a great starting point for exploring central Paris, whether on foot or by bike.
La Fontaine de Belleville
This beautifully restored classic Parisian cafe in the Belleville neighbourhood brings together old-world charm and modern coffee culture. ‘La Fontaine de Belleville’ retains its stunning traditional decor – think mosaic floors, etched mirrors, and a zinc bar – while serving top-notch specialty coffee roasted by Belleville Brûlerie, which the owners co-founded.
It functions as a neighbourhood hub, busy from morning coffee through to evening aperitifs. You can enjoy traditional French cafe fare alongside your expertly brewed filter coffee. It perfectly marries historic ambiance with contemporary coffee standards, a rare and delightful combination in Paris.
Café Kitsuné
With several chic locations, including one nestled in the gardens of the Palais Royal, ‘Café Kitsuné’ offers a stylish coffee break. Part of the Maison Kitsuné fashion and music label, the cafes reflect the brand’s Franco-Japanese aesthetic – minimalist, cool, and high-quality.
The Palais Royal location is particularly charming, offering takeaway coffee and small treats that you can enjoy while strolling through the elegant gardens. They serve their own custom coffee blend. It’s less about lingering for hours and more about grabbing a fashionable coffee in a beautiful setting.
Café Charlot
Facing the ‘Marché des Enfants Rouges’ in the Marais, ‘Café Charlot’ is a quintessential Parisian bistro-cafe with a bustling terrace. It has that timeless look with its wicker chairs and round tables, perfect for watching the vibrant market crowds and street style of the neighbourhood.
The menu features classic French brasserie dishes, making it a reliable spot for lunch or dinner, not just coffee or a drink. It draws a trendy crowd, fitting for its location. It’s a prime people-watching spot in one of Paris’s most fashionable districts, offering a solid, traditional cafe experience.
Loulou Friendly Diner
While more of a restaurant, ‘Loulou Friendly Diner’ in the Latin Quarter deserves a mention for its welcoming vibe and excellent coffee, often overshadowed by its Australian-inspired brunch and lunch menu. It’s close to the Sorbonne, attracting students and academics alongside locals.
The focus is on fresh, high-quality ingredients served in a bright, relaxed setting. They put care into their coffee program, making it a good option if you want a substantial meal alongside a well-made espresso or filter coffee. It’s known for being genuinely friendly, living up to its name.
Partisan Café Artisanal
Located near the Arts et Métiers museum in the upper Marais, ‘Partisan Café Artisanal’ is serious about coffee. They roast their own beans on-site in a large, industrial-chic space. You can watch the roasting process while enjoying your brew.
The spacious cafe offers plenty of seating, making it suitable for catching up with friends or even getting some work done. They offer various brewing methods and often have different single origins to try. It’s a place for those who appreciate the craft of coffee roasting and brewing in a modern setting.
Matamata Coffee
This cosy cafe near Les Halles and Montorgueil offers a welcome respite from the busy central Paris streets. ‘Matamata Coffee’ focuses on specialty coffee, often featuring beans from various European roasters, served with care by knowledgeable baristas.
They also have a reputation for delicious pastries and light lunch options, including good vegetarian choices. The space is welcoming, with seating split over two levels. It’s a reliable spot for a quality coffee break while exploring the central districts, known for its friendly service.
Loustic
Near the Pompidou Centre, ‘Loustic’ stands out with its distinctive, slightly retro design featuring comfortable tiered seating that encourages lounging. They were among the early wave of specialty coffee shops in Paris, known for their commitment to quality and often featuring beans from Caffènation, a Belgian roaster.
The atmosphere is relaxed and cosy, making it a great place to settle in with a book or chat with friends. Alongside excellent coffee, they offer pastries and simple savoury items. It’s a comfortable haven known for its unique tiered seating and consistently good coffee.
Télescope Café
A small, minimalist cafe near the Palais Royal and the Bourse (Stock Exchange), ‘Télescope’ is all about purity and quality. They focus on expertly prepared filter coffee and espresso, letting the beans speak for themselves. The decor is intentionally sparse, putting the emphasis on the coffee experience.
It’s a quiet spot, ideal for contemplation or a focused coffee appreciation moment. They usually offer a small selection of pastries to accompany the drinks. Known for its unwavering commitment to high-quality filter coffee, it attracts discerning coffee drinkers looking for precision brewing.
Ob-La-Di Café
This tiny, photogenic cafe in the Marais gained fame partly due to its catchy name and highly Instagrammable blue-tiled counter and avocado toast. ‘Ob-La-Di’ serves specialty coffee and healthy-ish brunch-style food in a very compact space.
Despite its small size, it packs a punch with flavourful dishes and well-made coffee drinks. It’s often busy, reflecting its popularity. Come for the vibrant atmosphere and picture-perfect food, but be prepared for close quarters. It captures the essence of a trendy Marais coffee spot.
The Beans on Fire
With locations including one near Voltaire, ‘The Beans on Fire’ functions as both a cafe and a co-roasting space. This means you can enjoy coffee made from beans roasted right there, sometimes by different small roasters who use the facilities. It creates a dynamic coffee environment.
The cafes are usually bright and modern, offering various brewing methods and beans to try. They often host workshops and events related to coffee. It’s a place to experience freshly roasted coffee and connect with the local roasting community.
Noir Coffee Shop & Torréfacteur
‘Noir’ has several locations across Paris, focusing on sourcing and roasting high-quality coffee beans. Their cafes often have a sleek, dark aesthetic, matching their name. You can buy their beans to take home, ensuring the quality continues beyond the shop.
They offer a range of espresso-based drinks and filter options, prepared by skilled baristas. The emphasis is firmly on the coffee itself, often with a minimal food offering. It’s a go-to for reliably excellent coffee from their own roastery in a stylish setting.
Fée Boulangerie Pâtisserie Café
Located in the residential 17th arrondissement, ‘Fée’ (meaning ‘Fairy’) combines a bakery, pastry shop, and cafe. It’s a charming neighbourhood spot known for its beautiful cakes, pastries, and good bread, alongside decent coffee.
It’s less about the hardcore specialty coffee scene and more about enjoying a classic French baked treat with a coffee in a pleasant local setting. The decor is often bright and whimsical. A lovely place for an authentic neighbourhood bakery experience away from the main tourist hubs.
Good News Coffee Shop
Situated in the 9th arrondissement near Grands Boulevards, ‘Good News Coffee Shop’ offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They serve specialty coffee, often featuring beans from various European roasters, prepared with care.
The space is typically bright and welcoming, with simple decor. They usually offer a selection of pastries and sometimes light lunch items. It’s a solid choice for a quality coffee and a friendly chat if you find yourself exploring the bustling Grands Boulevards area.
Café de l’Institut
Located within the ‘Institut Suédois’ (Swedish Institute) in the Marais, this cafe offers a unique setting in the courtyard of a historic ‘hôtel particulier’ (grand townhouse). ‘Café de l’Institut’ brings a touch of Scandinavian cafe culture to Paris.
You can enjoy Swedish specialties like cinnamon buns (‘kanelbullar’) and open-faced sandwiches alongside coffee. The courtyard setting is particularly lovely in good weather. It’s a peaceful escape offering a taste of Sweden in a beautiful historic Parisian mansion. Check opening hours as they align with the institute.
Strada Café
With locations in the Marais and near the Luxembourg Gardens, ‘Strada Café’ offers reliable specialty coffee and a welcoming atmosphere often conducive to working or studying. They typically feature beans from L’Arbre à Café, a well-regarded local roaster.
The cafes are usually comfortable and bustling, popular with students and locals. They offer pastries, cakes, and simple lunch options like salads and sandwiches. It’s a dependable choice for good coffee and a comfortable workspace in central Paris locations.
Yellow Tucan
Found in the 12th arrondissement near the Aligre Market, ‘Yellow Tucan’ is a bright and cheerful cafe focusing on specialty coffee. They often feature beans from various roasters and pay attention to brewing quality.
The interior is colourful and welcoming. Besides coffee, they usually offer homemade cakes, cookies, and light brunch/lunch items. It’s a great spot to refuel after visiting the vibrant Marché d’Aligre, known for its food market and flea market.
Back in Black
From the same team as KB CaféShop, ‘Back in Black’ is a larger, more food-focused venue near Place de la Bastille. It features an on-site roastery (‘KB Coffee Roasters’) and offers a full brunch and lunch menu alongside its high-quality coffee.
The space is modern and spacious, often busy, especially on weekends. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a proper sit-down meal with top-notch coffee roasted in-house. The Bastille location makes it accessible for exploring the eastern parts of Paris.
Le Zimmer
Located on the Place du Châtelet, ‘Le Zimmer’ is a grand, historic brasserie dating back to 1896. Its opulent Belle Époque decor, with chandeliers, red velvet, and ornate mouldings, offers a dramatic contrast to minimalist modern cafes.
While perhaps not a destination purely for cutting-edge coffee, it provides a classic Parisian grand cafe experience. Stop for a coffee or an aperitif and soak in the atmosphere opposite the Théâtre du Châtelet. It’s about the history and the grandeur here.
Café Verlet
Near the Louvre and Palais Royal, ‘Café Verlet’ is one of Paris’s oldest coffee merchants, roasting beans since 1880. The shop downstairs sells a wide variety of beans, while the small, traditional salon upstairs allows you to taste their brews alongside pastries and sweets.
It feels like stepping into a bygone era, with wood panelling and a focus on tradition. They offer coffees from numerous origins, often prepared using classic filter methods. It’s a place for experiencing coffee history and tradition near major landmarks.
Angelina
Famous for its incredibly rich hot chocolate (‘L’Africain’) and its signature Mont-Blanc pastry (meringue, whipped cream, chestnut paste vermicelli), ‘Angelina’ is an institution. Located on Rue de Rivoli near the Louvre, its Belle Époque tearoom is ornate and elegant.
While definitely a tearoom experience rather than a modern coffee shop, it’s a must-visit for indulging your sweet tooth in a historic setting. Founded in 1903, it has hosted fashion icons like Coco Chanel. Be prepared for queues and high prices, but the decadent treats are legendary.
Dose Dealer de Café
With a couple of locations, including one in the Latin Quarter and another near Batignolles, ‘Dose’ focuses on providing quality specialty coffee in a friendly, neighbourhood setting. They carefully select their beans and offer well-made espresso and filter drinks.
The cafes are typically small and welcoming, attracting locals and students. They usually have a selection of pastries and simple, often homemade, food items. A reliable spot for your daily ‘dose’ of good coffee served with a smile.
Motors Coffee
Located in the 11th arrondissement, ‘Motors Coffee’ combines a passion for coffee with motorcycles, reflected in its decor and vibe. It’s a cool, slightly edgy spot serving specialty coffee, often featuring beans from different roasters.
The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. Alongside coffee, you might find simple snacks or pastries. It’s a unique spot that attracts both coffee lovers and motorbike enthusiasts, offering a good brew in a distinctive setting.
République of Coffee
Situated near Place de la République, this spacious cafe offers specialty coffee, brunch, and lunch options in a bright, modern setting. ‘République of Coffee’ often features colourful, ‘Instagrammable’ dishes like smoothie bowls and pancakes.
The large space makes it suitable for groups or for finding a corner to work. They serve quality coffee alongside their food menu. It’s a popular spot, particularly for weekend brunch in the lively République area.
