The coffee scene in Paris is an unmissable allure for any visitor making their way across France’s capital city. In this article, you will be presented with the best cafés in Paris, sorted by category, as well as some tidbits about their wondrous history, culture, and traditions!
Coffee culture and tradition in Paris
The coffee culture in Paris is one more part of the city’s life and soul, and a deeply rooted tradition within its inhabitants. It feels more like a social and philosophical activity, rather than the simple act of having coffee!
The history of coffee in Paris begins with the arrival of this exotic product during the 1600s from what once was the Ottoman Empire, as the first known café in France’s capital city was the Café Procope, founded in 1686, and it would serve as a meeting point for philosophers such as Voltaire and Diderot.
Later on, during the 1700s, cafés would become meeting spots for intellectuals and revolutionaries, as well as hubs for political debate. Much of the popular organization for the French Revolution took place in these venues!
At last, already in the 1800s and the early 1900s, cafés would spring up all across Paris, portraying the rise of urban life and popular classes, and standing as a symbol for the bohemian, the arts, and literature. It is for a good reason that characters such as Sartre or Hemingway made use of cafés as veritable creative ateliers.
Nowadays, some people even talk about a so-called “third wave of coffee”, this being a movement in which coffee is regarded as an artisanal good, not unlike wine, and which lays a focus on the quality, origin, production method and preparation of such a product.
Having said this, if you wish to have a coffee in Paris, you ought to know some important concepts, and especially learn how to tell the difference between different types of cafés:
- Café: an informal venue to have coffee and other beverages, and also to eat a light meal.
- Brasserie: an informal restaurant in which you can also have coffee.
- Salon de thé: a venue specializing in tea and pastries.
- Pâtisserie: a bakery where espresso or café crème is served as a side dish to different desserts.
- Specialty cafés: a modern venue offering artisan coffee.
- Café-librairie: venues in which you can have coffee and read a fine book.
Additionally, do not forget to learn the difference between café au lait vs. café crème! The former is half filtered coffee (americano style) and half warm milk, which is served in a large mug and is taken during breakfast, whereas the latter is an espresso with warm milk cream, similar to cappuccino, which is served in a small cup and can be taken at any given moment throughout the day.
You are now ready to enjoy coffee in Paris!
Unmissable areas to have coffee
Should you wish to know where to have coffee in Paris, the best spots to do so are in boroughs such as the Latin Quarter, Le Marais, and the surroundings of the Eiffel Tower. These are the top five finest spots!
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés – an intellectual ambiance which is home to historic cafés such as Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.
- Le Marais – specialty and Instagram friendly coffee in a modern landscape with chic bakeries.
- Montmartre – artsy and bohemian charm, with pretty and highly picturesque views.
- Latin Quarter – affordable and student friendly options in an intellectual atmosphere filled with bookstores.
- Trocadéro / Eiffel Tower – terraces with spellbinding views and enormously photogenic corners.
The top 15 finest cafés in Paris, by category
Here follows the best cafés in Paris, sorted by category.
Historic and emblematic cafés
- Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – founded in 1887, it is a mandatory literary landmark. The venue, both elegant and classic, boasts a timeless, intellectual, and Parisian flair. You ought to try their café crème, along with a croissant. Prices: Espresso ~5 €, Latte ~7 €
- Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Saint-Germain-des-Prés) – A historic, always lively venue, with tables which were once taken up by Sartre, Hemingway, Picasso, and other intellectuals from the 1900s. Have a café crème on the terrace, or one of their chocolat chaud “à l’ancienne”! Prices: Espresso ~5 €, Latte ~7 €
- Le Procope (13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, Barrio Latino) – founded in 1686, it is the oldest café in all of Paris. Refined and theatrical, its decorations date back to the 1600s, and it also features souvenirs from the Enlightenment era. Café gourmand (coffee with mini desserts) is served. Prices: Espresso ~4,50 €, Latte ~6,50 €
- Café de la Paix (5 Place de l’Opéra, Opéra) – A lavish and majestic venue with vintage indoors, opposite to the Garnier Opera House. You ought to treat yourself to ordering cappuccino with petit fours! Prices: Espresso ~6 €, Latte ~8 €
- Café de l’Homme (17 Place du Trocadéro, Trocadéro / Torre Eiffel) – A chic, state of the art café featuring an exclusive terrace with views on the Eiffel Tower. Cocktails are also served in the evening. Prices: Espresso ~6 €, Latte ~8,50 €
Specialty cafés (third-wave)
- Fringe Coffee (106 Rue de Turenne, Le Marais) – A minimalist, luminous and artsy venue, perfect for creative people and design lovers. Their signature serve is single origin, filtered coffee, as well as their Nordic toasts. Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Latte ~5 €
- Belleville Brûlerie (10 Rue Pradier, Belleville) – A café with an industrial, laid back flair, with an artisan roaster atmosphere, so you should not leave without trying their toasted coffee on the spot. Prices: Espresso ~2,80 €, Latte ~4,80 €
- Café Telescope (5 Rue Villedo, Palais Royal / Louvre) – This small, sober and calm venue is very popular among coffee buffs, and it features a perfectly balanced espresso, as well as filtered coffee with complex undertones. Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Latte ~5 €
- Coutume Café (47 Rue de Babylone, Invalides) – A cutting edge, luminous and lively venue with expert baristas and an international ambiance. Their top serve is their flat white! Prices: Espresso ~3,20 €, Latte ~5,50 €
- KB Coffee Roasters (53 Avenue Trudaine. South Pigalle / Montmartre) – An urban and dynamic café with a sun kissed terrace and young, cosmopolitan customers who lean towards their espresso and cold brews. Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Latte ~5 €
Cafés with “Instagram friendly” charm
- La Maison Rose (2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Montmartre) – Both iconic and photogenic, this café with a pink facade and an artsy spirit on the hills of Montmartre will delight you if you are on the lookout for picture perfect nooks and specialty coffee. Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Latte ~5,50 €
- Café Oberkampf (Le Marais, Oberkampf / Le Marais Este) – A cozy, modern, Australian styled venue, often visited by Parisian youths, who flock there because of its specialty coffee and its shakshuka. Prices: Espresso ~2,80 €, Latte ~5 €
- Shakespeare & Company Café (next to Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter) – A literary and bohemian atmosphere right next to Notre-Dame, ideal for the most avid readers visiting the city. Make sure to order their ecological coffee, and sample their vegan pastries! Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Latte ~5,50 €
Cafés with Wi-Fi to work in
- Hubsy Arts-et-Métiers (41 Rue Réaumur, Arts-et-Métiers / Haut Marais) – A co-working space, as well as a café, quiet, and the bill depends on the time of use, which makes it ideal to work for a while and unwind. Prices: (~6€/h), including coffee (espresso or free latte).
- Anticafé Louvre (10 Rue de Richelieu, Louvre) – Yet another pleasant and informal co-working space including beverages and snacks in its hourly fee. A perfect environment to study or work in! Prices: ~6€/h including coffee, espresso, and latte.
Vegan and plant-based options
- Cloud Cakes (6 Rue Mandar, Montorgueil / Sentier) – A vegan, sweet, and modern café, which is also all the rage among young people and well informed travelers. Delicious veggie lattes! Prices: Espresso ~3 €, Veggie latte ~5,50 €
- Today Café (27 Rue de la Michodière, Opera) – A friendly, laid back, and healthy venue, with a focus on milk and gluten free alternatives. You ought to try their energetic bowls! Prices: Espresso ~2,80 €, Veggie Latte ~5,20 €
Useful tips to enjoy coffee in Paris
If you wish to truly delve into the coffee culture of France’s capital city, here are our best tips to enjoy the finest coffee in Paris:
- Regular opening times and rush hours: If you only wish to have a coffee in a popular terrace, try to avoid the rush hour (from 12:00 to 14:00). As for breakfasts, those are usually served up until 10:00, and you will gladly be served an espresso at the counter of any venue up until 12:00. Afternoon snacks are served from 15:00 to 17:00 and, at last, you can have an espresso after dinner until 20:00.
- How to order: Even though you already know the difference between café au lait and café crème (which is essential), and you likely know what an espresso is, there are a few other popular coffees which you might feel up to trying, such as a noisette (an espresso with a warm milk “cloud”), an allongé (a long espresso with more water, not unlike an americano), or a déca (decaf). If you just order “a coffee”, you will be served a short espresso by default!
- Tip culture and terrace availability: Tips are not mandatory in Paris, but leaving some extra 0,50 € or 1 € for a proper service is always much appreciated at cafés. As for terraces, you may sit down just to have some coffee, but try to avoid loitering any longer than it would be reasonable if there are people waiting. Ordering at the counter is always faster, and especially cheaper!
- Average price and tourist rates: A espresso at the counter or in non touristy venues costs around ~2,20 – 2,80 €, whereas it will cost you around ~3,50 – 6 € in a terrace, depending on the quarter. A latte or a café crème can cost about ~5 – 7,50 €, even though it can reach up to 8 € in very touristy cafés.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An espresso costs around ~2,20 – 6 € depending on the venue and whether you order it at the counter or on a terrace. A café crème will cost you from ~5 to 8 €.
You can work with a laptop in specific venues devoted to such a purpose (co-working), and in most specialty or third wave cafés. However, in more traditional or historic venues, it could be regarded as disrespectful unless you place numerous and very frequent orders. At any rate, avoid working in this way during the rush hours.
Under certain circumstances, it is advisable to book a table in some kinds of cafés, especially in the most popular or touristy ones, or in those offering full menus. It is a must to book beforehand during rush hour, high season, or if you wish to have a particular table!
It is quite common to find vegan alternatives in Parisian cafés, such as vegetable milk, including oat, almond, soy, coconut, and rice (always make sure to order “lait végétal”). Similarly, you will find plenty of vegan bakeries and cafés featuring full vegan menus.
