When I moved to Paris in 2013, there wasn’t a great place for coffee in Montmartre or much of Paris. Most of the coffee was classic French coffee that tasted bitter. Over the recent years, craft coffee (specialty coffee shops) has been popping up in all neighborhoods in Paris, and it is much easier to find good coffee all over the city. In Paris, the coffee culture has changed for the better, and there are many great places to drink coffee. The number of spots to find great coffee in Paris is almost overwhelming. Below is my list of the best coffee shops in Paris.
In this post, the coffee spots in this post will differ from your traditional French coffee. If you want traditional Parisian cafƩs with great people-watching, I recommend stopping by CafƩ de Flore or Les Deux Magots for a coffee.
Before I share the best coffee shops in Paris, let’s break down what to expect in a Parisian specialty coffee shop. You will find a small menu of the coffee options they offer. Some shops roast their coffee beans locally in Paris at an off-site location. Many coffee shops will also sell their beans or from local roasters in the city, which makes a great souvenir to bring home!
Un CafƩ is a traditional shot of espresso without any milk or sugar.
Un Allonge is an espresso with double the amount of water.
Une Noisette is an espresso shot with a little steamed milk. The color of the coffee turns hazelnut brown, where the name noisette (hazelnut in English) comes from.
CafƩ Americain is more of a traditional coffee you would get back home.
CafĆ© CrĆØme is one shot of espresso with steamed milk and a frothy topper. Similar to a cappuccino but with less foamy milk.
Hot Chocolate is a great idea to enjoy the cafĆ© culture if you are not a coffee drinker. Depending on the spot, they may make the hot chocolate from chunks of chocolate and hot milk which is the traditional way. You can get this at cafĆ© KitsunĆ©. It’s a favorite spot for coffee that is on my list.
This is always my dad’s question when we travel. He prefers to drink what he has at home, which I understand. A CafĆ© Americain is a filter coffee, usually one large cup without milk. Ask for a little topper of milk if you prefer it.
This is now a common question when you order a coffee. Vache is a cow, the traditional type of milk offered, and l’avoine is oat milk. There may be a slight upcharge for milk variations.
Flat whites are my favorite coffee order in Paris before noon. It is essentially two shots of espresso and milk instead of the traditional one shot and more milk in a latte. This typically is a much stronger coffee, and I can only have one.
It will cost 2-6 euros, depending on how you like it and whether milk is involved.
Sur Place means to enjoy coffee while you sit in the cafƩ or shop.
Emporter means to take the coffee to go in a paper cup. This is an excellent option for taking your coffee and strolling the streets of Paris.
Parisian cafes will offer fantastic coffee and traditionally delicious pastries. It is not uncommon to see croissants, banana bread, and a lemon cake. They may even offer a gluten-free option. Avocado toast is a popular menu item as well.
Bon Bouquet CafƩ Alyssa discovered this place, so she gets all the credit. I loved it so much that I went back twice. It was a quick walk from the hotel, and everyone was sweet. They do offer brunch, but we just made takeaway coffee. The mocha is incredible. Worth the splurge in calories. I have been by many times for a quick pop-in for coffee, and it has been a great cup of coffee every time.
Boot CafĆ© is always a classic that I return to. Boot is a cute coffee shop in the Marais. Itās small, so I typically take my coffee to go. Outdoor seating is available in the warmer months and offers an extension of the tiny shop with stools. They have iced coffee in the warmer months, and itās so good. Boot doesn’t open until 10 am, so keep that in mind when visiting and planning your day. Nearby, don’t miss Merci, which is a fun concept shop.
Bonjour Jacob is one of the new places I discovered for Parisian coffee on my last trip to Paris. It was just a quick walk from Relais Christine and was open daily for coffee. Bonjour Jacob was the perfect pick-me-up after a long flight and jet lag. One of the cute features this shop offers is the assortment of vinyl records, magazines, and great coffee. Bonjour Jacaob has two locations, with the other near Canal St Martin.
Bleu Olive was a discovery while staying on the Left Bank close to Rue Cler. This is an excellent option for a good specialty coffee close to the Eiffel Tower. Takeaway is the same price as having it in the cafƩ.
La CafĆ©othĆØque was one of the first cafĆ©s to make craft coffee when I arrived in Paris. It is a fun little spot with delicious coffee from different countries worldwide. One of the unique features sets this coffee shop apart from the others.
Clove Coffee Shop is located in Montmartre, and I was so happy to see this spot open. My friend Shana introduced me to it along with the fantastic babka they offer. The babka is a must-order and a great place to grab a coffee or dine inside the cafƩ.
Other spots in the area on my list that I have not checked out but would love to on my next trip, are BlackBird Coffee and The Beans on Fire.
Strada is one of the best places for coffee in the 5th arrondissement in the heart of the Latin Quarter. I was by Strada in Paris on this last trip and took twenty girls from my trip for round two. Itās a great local spot with fantastic coffee and friendly staff. They were able to accommodate our group of twenty easily with takeaway coffees.
Strada offers breakfast foods, juice, and tea if you aren’t a coffee drinker. Seating is provided inside or outside on the terrace. Space is limited on the exterior.
Just a short walk across the street, you will find Square Paul Langevin, filled with cherry blossoms come spring and a perfect place to enjoy coffee.
CafƩ KitsunƩ has different locations, all near the Louvre. You can grab a coffee across from The Tuileries, outside the Louvre, or at Palais Royal. Each has different open times, so check if you are an early riser. This is a favorite coffee place.
KB CafĆ© āKB Coffee Roasters is located in the 9th arrondissement, not far from Montmartre, and offers delicious coffee and some food options. The space is small inside, but they have a large outdoor terrace with tables and chairs during the warmer months. They do have free Wi-Fi.
10 Belles Coffee has multiple locations, and I recently tried them on the 6th. I took a chance and bought a bag of beans for home, which is now a tradition of mine. The blend was mixed cassette tape, and I can’t stop thinking about how good the coffee was. I plan to bring another bag home on my next trip.
Terres de CafƩ is a local coffee chain in Paris that offers great coffee. The coffee shop locations are on both banks of Paris, so you will never be at a loss for one. I find the coffee to be strong, and the shops consistently put out a great cup of coffee.
I discovered this newly opened spot in January on my walk on the Left Bank. The coffee spot is tucked away in the back. I ordered my flat white for takeaway with adorable cookie wafers. The coffee was expensive for coffee, but it was a solid cup made with care and love.
Noir Coffee is a relatively new local coffee spot with multiple locations in Paris. A location is on Ʈle st. Louis is right in the center of the main street.
Le Peloton CafƩ, located on rue du pont louis-philippe in the heart of le Marais, is a Paris coffee shop offering coffee, juices, and bike rentals. The space is small, with seating outdoors as well.
Shakespeare and Co CafĆ© is a lovely spot across from Notre Dame and a stone’s throw away from the Shakespeare and Co bookshop. Enjoy a cup of coffee with a view of Notre Dame at this coffee spot with a great location. Extended seating is outside under umbrellas, as the inside can be cramped. Shakespeare and Co cafĆ© offer food options and pastries such as banana bread and other classics.
Back in Black is also in the Marais and opens at 9 a.m. It’s by the same roasters as KB in Montmartre. Until the afternoon, enjoy breakfast, pastries, or snacks.
Matamata is solid coffee near Rue Montorgueil area. This area lacks good craft coffee, and I always feel drawn here for a solid flat white as a pick-me-up when I am jet-lagged or need an extra jolt.
Coutume has been around for a while and is always reliable and reasonable. Breakfast is a great option here if you are hungry and have also done takeaway for coffee. Discover the location close to the Rodin Museum if you want a good coffee there. Coutume has several places in the city, including Galleries Lafayette.
Kawa coffee was a discovery from this shop last October, and I ordered a flat white. My husband and I were strolling the Marais and had already bought a coffee at another nearby coffee shop. When I saw this one, I knew I had to try it, which meant I would be well caffeinated. I took mine for takeaway and immediately remarked that it was one of my favorite flat whites!
White Coffee Shop is new to the Paris coffee scene and is located on Rue de Turenne. It’s a tiny shop offering coffee and baked goods for takeaway. You can stop here if you are spending an afternoon in the Marais.
Enjoy the detailed Google map for more of my favorite coffee shops. As new shops open in Paris, I will continue to add favorites as I discover more. Do you have a favorite?