Where to get really good coffee in Paris

For a city that’s perfected the art of sitting in a café for hours on end while reading a book or indulging in guilt-free people watching, you’d think Paris would have decent cafés.

And they do, in many ways, but not as far as good coffee is concerned. If you’ve even so much as a guidebook on Paris in preparation for your trip, you’ll know that coffee here, as everything else in France most residents would argue, is no fuss-free affair. The city is filled with cafés with lovely terraces but nine times out of ten, coffee will not only be wildly overpriced, it’ll also be strong enough to scrape varnish off any floor. Save yourself the stomach ache and head to these hip, connoisseur shops — where baristas will happily discuss single-origin beans or roasting techniques — for the best coffee in Paris.

Perhaps the only places where you’ll get a proper, attitude-free latte!

Passager

107 avenue Ledru-Rollin / 11e arrondissement

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With its large windows right on lively Avenue Ledru-Rollin, Passager is an ideal place to people watch Parisians go about their business. Their coffee is sourced from esteemed Berlin-based roaster Five Elephant and their latte art is a creation of one of the world’s best baristas. Or, at the very least, the most creative.

Coutume Café

47 rue de Babylone / 7e arrondissement

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Despite its enviable location down the street from Bon Marché and Musée Rodin, Coutume Café is almost the sole third-wave coffee shop in this part of Paris. Founded by Antoine Nétien — named best roaster in France back in 2011 — this light-filled and quiet spot is very serious about coffee. Can’t afford the time to stay in and grab a bite? Fret not. Take your java to go and enjoy it in nearby Jardin du Luxembourg.

Caféothèque

52 rue de l’Hô­tel-de-Ville / 4e arrondissement

As one of the very first roasters in Paris, the Caféothèque was here long before white-washed coffee shops filled with plaid-clad baristas were ever a thing. The goal, here, is not to be trendy, but instead to serve a mean cup of coffee in one of the busiest parts of the Seine banks.

Ten Belles

10 rue de la grange aux belles / 10e arrondissement

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I always go back to this tiny coffee shop whenever I find myself in Paris, for three reasons: 1, for the enviable location right by Canal Saint-Martin, 2, for the amazing latte, and 3, for the alt-rock soundtrack curated by the Australian owner that sometimes makes it hard to leave. Ten Belles may be a household name in the world of hipster coffee in Paris, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. You can even get a bag of Ten Belles beans as a souvenir!

Cafe Kitsune

51 Galerie de Montpensier / 1er arrondissement

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This being central Paris and this being the coffee shop of a rather high-end French clothing brand, there is no such thing as leaving the Kitsuné premises unscathed by the snotty Parisian Attitude. The coffee is worth it, though, as is the setting: the seating space spills out onto the elegant arcades of Palais-Royal and the countless – not to mention endlessly entertaining – fashion bloggers posing for yet another photo shoot.

Loustic

40 Rue Chapon / 3e arrondissement

In great contrast from the previous address, Loustic is nothing but friendly. The owners are very keen to strike up a conversation, be it about coffee or the Parisian weather — a universally relatable topic and one locals won’t shy from complaining about. Brush up your French or test their English, either way is encouraged to engage the conversation. The wood-heavy decor, complemented by lush pillows and warm earth tones, is also a nice change from the clinically white shops found elsewhere in the city. One of my personal favourite cafés, for sure!

Boot Café

19 rue du pont aux choux / 3e arrondissement

Don’t let the “Cordonnerie” sign fool you into thinking that this is a hipster-approved cobbler’s shop. Perhaps the most minuscule of all Paris coffee shops, Boot Café and its now-iconic turquoise hue is indeed a place where beans and cakes are kings as opposed to shoes in need of fixing.

Partisan

36 Rue de Turbigo / 3e arrondissement

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Partisan is a wonderful, light-soaked café in the heart of the 3e arrondissement. It’s within walking distance from Le Marais, from the trendy boutiques of the 10e arrondissement and even from the Louvre. I’ll be honest and admit that it’s become my favorite café in Paris. Firstly because I simply love the laid-back vibe of the place; secondly because the java is so good I visited daily during my last trip.

Coffee in Paris: more suggestions