Top 9 coffee shops in Paris

For all that Paris is known for – think: the Eiffel Tower, croissants, the Seine, lovers walking hand-in-hand – it has never been a city renowned for its coffee skills. Until now. Over the past two years, the coffee stage in The City of Light has exploded with handfuls of new, hip cafes opening their doors and serving deliciously strong, smooth, barista-made coffee. We’ve sorted through the good, the great and the ugly, to create a list of nine cafes that will keep any true coffee addict happy whilst exploring Paris.

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1. Fondation Café

Teeny, tiny Fondation is seriously small. Like, 15m2 small. But what this café lacks in size it makes up for in flavour-punching coffee. Prior to opening this Le Marais gem, Australian-born Chris Nielsen polished up his skills Down Under, in London and at Ten Belles in Paris. Excellent coffee, nice casual chitchat and a terrace that is ideal for catching a bit of Vitamin D.  

2. Café Lomi

Café Lomi is a lot of things –  roaster, café, coffee workshop – and it succeeds at doing all of them well. Situated off the tourist track, this is the place to go if you crave a variety of flavour. Like what you drank in-store? They also sell beans to take home.

3. Craft

One for the travelling workers or freelancers who find themselves in Paris, Craft is a coffee shop slash communal workspace that welcomes walk-ins. With a purpose-built row of desks featuring lamps and personal power points, Craft offers free wifi and somewhere to sit and work in exchange for buying a cup of their delicious coffee (or something to eat).  

4. Strada Café

A long-time prescence in Le Marais, Strada Café recently opened its second venue on the Left Bank. Baristas here are passionate about coffee and are more than happy to talk specifics. Coffee here is meant to be savoured and is served by a mix of Parisians and expats living in the city.

5. Ten Belles

If you know anything about the new-wave coffee scene in Paris, then it is very likely that you’ve come across Ten Belles. Tucked just off Canal Saint-Martin, Ten Belles was one of the first “cool” cafes to take Paris by storm with its serious attitude towards coffee. Always busy, there’s a sweet little florist next door to get lost in if you are waiting for a table.  

6. Telescope

If you end up strolling around Palais Royal, wander a little further and head to Telescope for a coffee fix. With a small menu, minimalist design and seriously good coffee, this cosy space is the perfect stop for a little pick-me-up.

7. Coutume Café

Much bigger than most Paris coffee shops, Coutume sits on the culture-heavy Left Bank. Go here for a brunch fix or to grab a new coffee-making tool to add to the collection.  

8. HolyBelly

When HolyBelly opened expats almost wept with joy. Here was a place where you could order a full English-style breakfast and a piccolo, and not be met with an awkward stare from the waitstaff. Positioned in the 10^th arrondissment, this café is casual and services a blend of locals and in-the-know tourists.

9. The Broken Arm

Small with a huge following, The Broken Arm serves a sultry house blend sourced from Café Lomi. Known as much for its coffee as it is for the sleek boutique attached, pop by for a caffeine hit then move next door for some new threads.

(Feature image: David McSpadden)