Paris, the city of love and delight, is known worldwide for its excellent café culture. Amidst the charming boulevards and historic districts, there are countless parisian coffee shops that indulge the senses with first-class coffee, delicious pastries and a distinctive atmosphere.
In this article, we will take a journey through the best cafés in Paris, from the classic and traditional to the trendy and modern places that represent Parisian coffee culture. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed morning coffee, a cozy afternoon snack or an inspiring place to work, Paris offers a diverse selection of coffee shops to meet all your needs.
Let’s start with the most famous brasserie in Paris. If you’ve ever seen a photo of typical Parisian cafés, Au Pied de Cochon was definitely one of them. Right in the heart of Paris, on Place du Pont Neuf, you will find the legendary Au Pied de Cochon café and restaurant. This Parisian gem is not only known for its long history and charming ambience, but also for its delicious specialties.
What is so special about Au Pied de Cochon? Au Pied de Cochon is a piece of Parisian history. It was opened in 1947 and has retained its traditional charm ever since. This brasserie is one of the few in Paris that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The café also has an impressive interior design that is reminiscent of early 20th century Paris and creates a welcoming atmosphere.
It’s a great place to experience the local Paris cafe culture and the hustle and bustle of the french capital up close.
The café is famous for its brasserie cuisine, including dishes such as ‘Choucroute Alsacienne’ (Alsatian sauerkraut with various sausages and meat) and of course ‘Pied de Cochon’ (boiled pig’s trotter). If you want to experience French cuisine in its most traditional form, you’ve come to the right place.
Our recommendation: The “Pied de Cochon” is a must for the adventurous who want to experience the local cuisine. If you prefer something a little less daring, the various seafood dishes, such as oysters or moules marinières (mussels in a white wine sauce), are also excellent.
Where? 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
One of the best Paris cafes near the Eiffel Tower to experience the excellent french coffee culture is undoubtedly Terres de Café. This charming coffee shop stands out from the crowd and offers a unique experience for coffee lovers.
Here, coffee is not simply served, but celebrated. The selection of coffees comes from the best growing regions in the world and is roasted with great care to bring out the flavors and aromas. The baristas at Terres de Café are true experts and know how to prepare the perfect espresso, cappuccino or filter coffee.
The specialty of Terres de Café is undoubtedly the coffee itself. The menu offers a wide range of coffees from different countries and regions, from Ethiopian Yirgacheffe to Colombian Geisha coffee.
In addition they offer a selection of delicious snacks and desserts. From fresh croissants to homemade pastries, there is something for every taste.
Our recommendation: Be sure to try one of their special coffees. Let the baristas advise you on which variety best suits your preferences. We recommend a fresh croissant or a slice of tarte au citron to go with it.
Where? 67 Av. de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris
Le Peloton Café is a charming café in the heart of the city and a place where the love of cycling and coffee culture merge harmoniously. This Parisian coffee shop is not only a popular meeting place for cyclists, but also for anyone with a passion for high-quality coffee.
The interior design is characterized by cycling elements, from bicycles on the wall to racing bike accessories, which gives the café a unique touch.
Le Peloton Café attaches great importance to first-class coffee. You can enjoy a variety of coffee drinks. The coffee beans are carefully selected and freshly prepared to ensure the best possible taste.
In terms of snacks, the café offers a selection of delicious pastries, sandwiches and healthy options such as muesli and yogurt. The menu is often adapted seasonally to use the best ingredients.
Our recommendation: Flat white accompanied by a pain aux raisins.
Where? 17 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris
The Café de Flore is undoubtedly one of the most famous cafés in Paris and a true symbol of the city. Located in the heart of the lively Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, it has a long history as a meeting place for intellectual greats, writers and artists. The café has even created its own literary prize, which has been awarded to new French writers for almost 100 years.
Since its foundation in 1887, it has retained its classic charm and is still a place where culture and society meet. The famous terrace with its characteristic green chairs is the ideal place to watch the vibrant goings-on of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Jean-Paul Sartre, James Joyce, Simone de Beauvoir and Ernest Hemingway and many other famous thinkers and writers frequented this café in the past. Nowadays, it is still a place where artists, intellectuals and discerning travelers come together to drink great coffee, chat and enjoy the atmosphere of the Parisian lifestyle.
Although Café de Flore is mainly known for its drinks and atmosphere, it also offers a selection of classic French snacks and desserts.
Our recommendation: During your visit to Café de Flore, you should definitely enjoy a traditional french café au lait. A pain au chocolat is the perfect complement to your coffee experience.
Where? 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
KB CaféShop in Paris is not an insider tip, but a truly trendy café that you should definitely visit when you travel to the city of love. What makes this café so special is the perfect combination of delicious artisan roasted coffee and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
With a beautiful outdoor seating and a relaxed interior, this is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet morning coffee, read a book or simply experience Parisian coffee culture to the fullest – you’ll love it!
The specialty coffees are undoubtedly the stars of the café. From strong espresso to creamy cappuccino and aromatic flat white – the coffee is of the highest quality and is hand-roasted to give you an unforgettable taste experience.
When it comes to snacks and treats, you won’t be disappointed here either. Enjoy freshly baked croissants, tempting pain au chocolat and homemade cakes that will tantalize your taste buds. The ingredients are carefully selected and you can look forward to fresh and delicious food.
Our recommendation: Matcha lattes with a slice of freshly made Marple cake.
Where? 53 Av. Trudaine, 75009 Paris
Fringe Coffee is a charming café in Paris, located in a neighborhood off the beaten track and a real insider tip for coffee lovers. This hidden gem not only offers best coffee, but also a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to relax or work.
Although it’s not in the heart of the city, it’s definitely worth a visit if you want to discover the hidden treasures of Paris.
The specialty of Fringe Coffee is the coffee itself. The owners are passionate coffee lovers and roast their own beans to ensure that every coffee is of the highest quality.
Our recommendation: Order an espresso or a chai latte and be sure to try the homemade organic banana cake.
Where? 106 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
La Fontaine de Belleville is a cozy and authentic Paris coffee shop located in the trendy Belleville district in the 10th arrondissement and probably one of the most famous places of the third wave coffee movement. This café has earned an excellent reputation for its first-class coffee drinks. It’s off the beaten tourist track and offers you the chance to explore a lesser-known but charming area of Paris.
Café La Fontaine de Belleville also roasts its own coffee beans and focuses on high-quality and sustainably grown varieties from different parts of the world.
You can order a variety of coffee drinks here, including espresso, filter coffee and cappuccino.
In addition, the café offers a selection of delicious homemade pastries and snacks, including fresh baguettes.
Our recommendation: Try a filter coffee to experience the full flavor of the hand-roasted beans. Accompany it with a fresh croissant or a pain au chocolat.
Where? 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris.
Le Consulat Café is a traditional Parisian café located in the picturesque Montmartre district in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. This charming café has a rich history and proximity to famous landmarks such as the Sacré Coeur Basilica.
The café was opened back in the 19th century and has retained its classic Parisian atmosphere. The façade with its striking green awnings and the romantic interior give the café a timeless charm.
Although Le Consulat Café is mainly known for its atmosphere and location, it also offers a selection of coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino and café au lait. There is also a selection of French pastries like quiches.
Our recommendation: A cafe au lait with a delicious chocolate croissant.
Where? 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris.
Les Deux Magots is a legendary café in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district and a veritable temple to literature and art. With a long history and an impressive list of celebrity regulars, this café is a must-visit for those who want to experience the culture and local life of Paris.
The café opened back in 1885 and over the decades has attracted an impressive list of famous regulars, including writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Simone de Beauvoir.
There is an extensive selection of specialty coffees. You can enjoy traditional coffee drinks and also excellent sandwiches, such as the club sandwich au saumon fumé “Petrossian” or croques.
Our recommendation: A café Viennois, served with tartelettes.
Where: 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
The Auberge de la Bonne Franquette is a traditional café and restaurant in the famous Montmartre district in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. This charming café has a rich history and is known for its traditional French cuisine.
The parisian cafe opened back in the 19th century and has a long list of famous regulars, including painters such as Vincent van Gogh and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Van Gogh’s famous painting “Moulin de la Galette” was also inspired here.
The Auberge de la Bonne Franquette is known for its cuisine and wine selection. You can sample classic dishes such as coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon and crème brûlée to experience traditional French gastronomy.
Our recommendation: A hot chocolate to experience the atmosphere of historic Montmartre. If you are hungry, let yourself be tempted by the delicious French dishes on the menu, like french onion soup or steak frites.
Where? 18 Rue des Saules, 75018 Paris