There are few things better than finding a charming Paris cafe and watching the world go by. But, there’s also a vibrant coffee scene serving some of the best brews in Europe.
LAST UPDATE: 30 Nov 2023
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Paris coffee shops are the powerhouses that fuel the French capital.
Morning doesn’t start in Paris until you have a croissant in your hand. Closely followed by the perfect coffee.
The coffee shops in Paris are divided into 2 distinct tribes.
There are the wisteria-framed traditional coffee shops with small round tables facing the pavement. Today’s menu is scribbled on a vintage mirror and jazz wafts in the air.
The other camp is the hip cafes serving the best coffee in Paris. Single-origin beans prepared to exacting standards in smart modern spaces.
Here’s our guide to the very best of the Paris café scene.
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. As with many of the best Paris cafes, Ob La Di is small with only 6 seats at tables, plus 5 stools at the counter.
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 it was overall very satisfying.
Fringe has a great selection of breakfast options, which they source directly from the producers.
Location: 106 rue de Turenne, 75003.
3 – COUTUME CAFÉ
Coutume Café is a large 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 with some vegan options.
Location: 47 Rue de Babylone, 75007.
4 – FRAGMENTS
Fragments is a cool Paris coffee shop with exposed brick walls, ceiling beams, and skilled baristas. The warm cosy atmosphere is friendly and trendy in equal proportions.
The coffee choices are espresso, cappuccino, or latte in single or double shot. My double-shot cappuccino was a perfectly executed cup. Strong bitter coffee with a hint of acidity blended beautifully with dense velvety milk.
Tasty breakfast options are created in the open-plan kitchen and include avocado on toast, scrambled eggs, and homemade granola.
Location: 76 rue de Tournelles, 75003.
5 – MOTORS CAFÉ
Motors Café is a snug space with a semi-industrial vibe featuring exposed brick walls, vintage furniture, and cool, friendly service. It’s not just a great cafe, it’s also one of our favorite things to do in Paris.
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 on 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.
Location: 7 rue des Halles, 75001.
6 – SYLON
Sylon is a warm inviting café in Montmartre with 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 delicious.
The coffee is not a disappointment either with all the regular espresso-based drinks served to perfection.
Location: 4bis rue Piémontesi, 75018.
7 – HARDWARE SOCIÉTÉ
Hardware Société is a Melbourne-based café with outposts now in Barcelona and Paris.
Their Paris café is in Montmartre just behind the Sacré Coeur. They do typical Australian-style brunch dishes in a cozy 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 honest, I was disappointed with my breakfast (the baked eggs were rock-hard), but Mark’s mushroom on toast was excellent.
It’s well worth coming for the coffee which was sublime.
Location: 10 Rue Lamarck, 75018.
8 – 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 home-made cold press juices.
Location: 18 Rue de Fleurus, 75006.
9 – TWO DOORS
Two Doors is a cool Paris coffee shop with a friendly community vibe and relaxed ambiance just behind Montmartre.
They have an excellent selection of sandwiches and pastries, but the brownie is worth all the calories.
With British / Australian owners you can expect a high-quality artisanal coffee. It’s rich and bold and made with all the love and attention a good Paris coffee deserves.
Location: 27 Rue Francœur, 75018.
10 – SPREE CAFÉ
Spree is a friendly little café in the backstreets of Montmartre with a selection of healthy and colorful 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. It was one of my favorite flat whites 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.
11 – 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.
12 – CAFE 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 flavor 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.
13 – 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 rich, bold, 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.
Location: 3 rue de la Renaissance, 75008.
14 – CAFÉ PIGALLE
The smart Café Pigalle is a highlight of the Pigalle area.
Sip a perfectly prepared coffee in the cozy espresso bar surrounded by sumptuous wood paneling, soft lighting, and a chilled ambiance.
It’s one of our favorite somewhat hidden coffee shops in Paris. We can also personally vouch for their excellent cakes.
Location: 7 Rue Frochot, 75009.
15 – 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 savory dishes ranging from granola to avocado on toast.
With a student clientele, Jozi is very well-priced. But if you arrive between 8 am and 12 pm you get a free pastry with your coffee.
Location: 3 rue Valette, 75005.
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