Best Coffee In Paris For Australians & Other Coffee Snobs

There are few things better than finding a charming Paris cafe and watching the world go by. But that is not what this guide is about. If you’re looking for an excellent Australian-quality coffee with no UHT milk, you’ve come to the right place.

Paris might be famous for its historic cafés, but if you’re looking for speciality coffee – the kind Melbourne and Sydney pride themselves on – that can be more of a challenge.

However, beyond the charming wisteria-draped terraces and traditional bistros, a new wave of cafes is emerging.

The coffee scene in Paris is developing a new style where over-boiled milk, careless, fluffy cappuccinos and big-brand, over-produced and non-sustainable beans are a thing of the past.

With a bit of research (which we have done for you), you can find single-origin brews and expertly crafted flat whites that Aussie coffee lovers crave.

To be clear, this is not a blog post about cute Paris cafes. This is about finding the best quality coffee by a barista who knows what they’re doing.

1. OB LA DI

Ob La Di is a cute café space in the heart of Le Marais with traditional bistro details. Vintage mirrors, gold trimmings, marble benches, and geometric tiling give the place a bright, uplifting feel.

The coffee has a subtle caramel taste, crafted to perfection. In addition to espresso-based coffee, Ob La Di also brews with a Chemex and an Aeropress if you prefer.

They have a good selection of light breakfast options, including pastries, homemade granolas, and eggs. Ob La Di is small, with only 6 seats at tables, plus 5 stools at the counter, but the nearby streets are lovely to stroll around with a takeaway coffee in hand.

Location: 54 rue de Saintonge, 75003.

2. FRINGE

Fringe is a cool coffee shop in Paris in a bright, modern space. Beautiful black and white photography adorn the walls, and various shades of grey provide a relaxing vibe.

They have a long selection of espresso-based coffee options available, including allongé, noisette, cortado, cappuccino, and late. But no flat white.

Nonetheless, the coffee is fragrant and full-bodied with smooth, sweet notes. The taste was subtle, but overall, it was very satisfying.

Fringe has a great selection of breakfast options, which they source directly from local producers.

Location: 106 rue de Turenne, 75003.

3. COUTUME CAFÉ

Coutume Café is a large cafe in the heart of the West Bank. A large tile bar with exposed light bulbs, plants growing in old sinks, and vintage-looking roasting equipment gives it an industrial vibe.

They roast their own beans, which they use in-house and supply to other cafes in Paris.

Coutime are the coffee experts in Paris, and they take their brewing very seriously. My flat white was punchy, sweet, and fragrant.

This is probably our pick for the best coffee in Paris.

They offer a good selection of brunch items with an emphasis on seasonal vegetarian dishes and some vegan options.

Coutume is right near the Rodin Museum, one of our favourite things to do in Paris.

Location: 47 Rue de Babylone, 75007.

4. MOTORS CAFÉ

Motors Café is a snug space with a semi-industrial vibe featuring exposed brick walls, vintage furniture, and cool, friendly service.

The coffee was outstanding, with well-crafted flat whites and a not-too-weak latte. They change their coffee regularly, so it’s worth going back several times during your Paris visit.

They have a small selection of cakes and pastries. But for us, the standout was easily the various banana cakes with chocolates and nuts. Delicious.

After your coffee, head to the Pompidou Observation Deck, one of the top free things to do in Paris.

Location: 7 rue des Halles, 75001.

5. SYLON

Sylon is a warm, inviting café in Montmartre that has a friendly atmosphere. The wooden floors, comfy sofa, and subtle lighting give it a relaxed, homely feel.

They have a great brunch menu with a few interesting dishes, including stacked pancakes, house granola, and tasty waffles. The avocado on toast with various toppings was excellent.

The coffee is not a disappointment either. They have all the regular espresso-based favourites, as well as Aeropress, V60 and Chemex.

Our flat whites were crafted to perfection. The size was just right, and the bean was bright and fragrant.

Location: 4bis rue Piémontesi, 75018.

6. HARDWARE SOCIÉTÉ

It doesn’t get much more Australian than Hardware Société; a Melbourne-based café with outposts in Barcelona and Paris.

Their Paris café is in Montmartre just behind the Sacré Coeur. They do typical Australian-style brunch dishes in a cosy atmosphere with very friendly service.

There is often a queue, especially on weekends, which is a testament to the popularity of the place.

To be perfectly honest with you, breakfast was a full-blown disappointment; the baked eggs were rock-hard and devoid of all flavour. However, in fairness, Mark’s mushroom on toast was excellent. (See the photo below)

Nonetheless, it’s well worth coming for the coffee, which was sublime. For me, it felt like being back home. The flat white was strong, rich and thoroughly flavoursome.

Location: 10 Rue Lamarck, 75018.

7. JUDY

Judy is a lovely gluten-free café in a great corner location near Jardin du Luxembourg.

The clean lines and blonde modern aesthetics flow through to the well-executed, clean-living menu items.

It’s a beautiful space with a great choice of vegetarian options for breakfast, as well as a lust-worthy selection of pastries.

They also do one of the best coffees in Paris. It’s rich yet subtle and perfectly constructed. Choose from all the usual coffee creations, including V60 and Chemex, as well as homemade cold press juices.

Location: 18 Rue de Fleurus, 75006.

8. TWO DOORS

9. SPREE CAFÉ

Spree is a friendly little café in the backstreets of Montmartre with a selection of healthy and colourful brunch options as well as a few delicious cookies.

It was one of those cafes in Paris we just happened to stroll past and we’re very glad we did.

The coffee was rich and delicious, with perfectly textured milk. Surprisingly, this was probably my favourite flat white in Paris.

The service is friendly and efficient and it’s a great space to sit and hang for a while.

Location: 11 Rue la Vieuville, 75018.

10. TERRES DE CAFÉ

Terres de Café Marais has an obvious passion for coffee. They are experts in coffee roasting and partner with sustainable suppliers to ensure a top-quality cup.

The owner has received several awards for coffee roasting and runs workshops training other baristas in his craft.

The café is beautifully styled with traditional elements while maintaining a cool vibe. Unsurprisingly, the coffee is excellent. They also have a wide selection of beans to purchase.

Location: 14 rue Rambuteau, 75003.

11. CAFÉ NUANCES

It’s obvious the brothers behind Café Nuances have a passion for taking coffee to an elevated position.

The café is a design-focused ultra-modern space with Art Deco sensitivities.

They offer 5 coffees, which they select themselves and roast locally.

Each has a unique flavour profile, which the team has balanced to perfection. Select your bean and enjoy it via the regular methods, including latte, flat white, and pour-over.

With this much focus on the bean, an espresso is a good place to start.

The knowledgeable staff are happy to guide you in the ordering process.

Location: 25 rue Danielle Casanova, 75001.

12. BASE COFFEE

A relative newcomer, Base Coffee is considered one of the best coffee shops in Paris.

The design is about as minimal as it can get, with clean lines, neutral tones, and subtle textures. This all makes the coffee stand out even more, which is bold, rich and delicious.

The team from Base already has a couple of successful cafes in Amman, Jordan, and they’re set to follow the tradition in Paris.

I loved the coffee, but the flat white was very small and very strong, which might not be to everyone’s taste. If you want something a bit longer, the cappuccino looked pretty good.

Location: 3 rue de la Renaissance, 75008.

13. CAFÉ PIGALLE

The smart Café Pigalle is a highlight of the Pigalle area.

Sip a perfectly prepared coffee in the cosy espresso bar surrounded by sumptuous wood panelling, soft lighting, and a chilled ambience.  

This is something of a hidden coffee shop in Paris if that’s even a thing.

They make fantastic coffee and put a lot of love into the overall experience. We can also personally vouch for their excellent cakes.

Location: 7 Rue Frochot, 75009.

14. JOZI

This buzzing little café between Sorbonne University and the Pantheon has an energetic student vibe, great food, and, of course, excellent coffee.

It’s a great spot for brunch with a selection of sweet and savoury dishes ranging from granola to avocado on toast.

With a student clientele, Jozi is very well-priced as it is. But if you arrive between 8 am and 12 pm you get a free pastry with your coffee.

Location: 3 rue Valette, 75005.