If you’ve been searching for a list of the best cafes in Paris, this post is for you! I’ve rounded up my favorite spots to work, eat breakfast, people watch, or just enjoy the view! So grab yourself a cup of coffee (and maybe a chocolate croissant!) and let’s head to France!
Best Cafes in Paris
When in Paris, we spend most mornings the same way…
snuggled up in a cozy cafe, slowly sipping our cappuccinos, reading or writing, and eventually, planning out our daily adventures. Something about a long breakfast always feels so luxurious, even if the meal itself is nothing fancy. And for us, it’s the perfect way to ease into the day ahead. It’s also a great way to meet locals, practice our (very elementary) French, and people watch.
Unfortunately in a big and bustling city like Paris, it’s quite easy to stumble upon tourist trap cafes that charge high and deliver low. So I wanted to pop in and share my list of the best cafes in Paris with you! These are the places we’ve gone to time and time again, and will continue visiting every time we’re in our beloved Paris! So if you’re planning a trip soon, I hope this list helps you create some wonderful (and delicious) memories ♥
And if you have a cafe in mind that I’ve missed, let me know and I’ll check it out next time we’re in town.
Ob-la-Di
A tiny and busy yet beautiful cafe that serves up great coffee and breakfast staples like avocado toast, granola, and pastries. Portions are on the smaller size (at least for us Americans), so I suggest ordering a few things and sharing! Service is always super friendly and more than happy to speak English. Go early if you want to (try and) snag a table without a wait.
Le Café Lomi
A hidden gem in the 18th! The coffee – no matter what you order – is always top notch. And the pastries are equally stunning and delicious! They sell their beans, too, so you can buy a bag to bring home for the coffee lover in your life (or just for you!). Vibe is hip but friendly.
Cafe Mareva
This cozy spot slings up SWEET POTATO WAFFLES and tops them with bacon, eggs, and guacamole. Need I say more?!
If you’re looking for delicious gluten free/dairy free options, head here!
Fragments Paris
You go for the coffee… and the carrot cake… and the avocado toast! I’ve also heard good things about their chocolate chip cookies and ginger ale. Trust me – you don’t want to miss this gem. Just a warning: this place is almost always busy. But don’t let that scare you off! We’ve never waited longer than 10 minutes for a table. The friendly service is just the icing on the cake!
Breizh Café
A wildly popular crêpe cafe located in the heart of the Marais! And in my opinion, it’s worth the hype. This place gets INSANELY busy (I’m talking line wrapped around the block busy) so either go very early or make a reservation.
Le Saint Regis
I love to come here early, sit outside, order a croissant and a flat white, and people watch!
Cafe Charlot
Classic French cafe/bistro with good food and friendly service.
Buvette
While not technically a “cafe”, this cozy little spot serves delicious coffee and breakfast starting at 8am (10 am on the weekends). I highly recommend the waffle sandwich! With a side of fluffy eggs for good measure 😉
La Maison Rose
I went back and forth on adding this one to the list because it IS touristy! But we stop by whenever we’re in Montmartre and have always had a nice time. It’s a perfect place to park for a coffee break and a little people watching.
And that’s it! For now 😉 I’ll be updating this page as we explore more of Paris!
All photos of me are taken by the flying poodle!
Nil Mel says
Paris is such a great city !
Alex K says
Got a taste of french cafes from your post!!
Amelia Rose says
Ugh, as if I didn’t want to go to Paris enough already…. 🙂 Sounds absolutely awesome!
Paula says
Try to get by a café called Fringe. I was there in June and it is a sweet little café, 106 Rue de Turenne 75003 Paris. The girl who does the baking is amazing. (if she is still there) The food in general is amazing and so is the coffee! Hope you get there.
Wandering Jones says
Some great suggestions! I just love the cafe culture in Paris. It’s like no other place in the world. Sitting outside at a Parisiancafe and watching the world go by is a trangely satisfying when in Paris. I’ve only visited 1 of your above suggestions so I’ll be sure to note a couple of these for my next visit.
Sabrina says
Merci for this amazing post.
I live two hours away from Paris and it’s absolutely my favorite city. There are some cafés that I didn’t know before and I will visit them next time!
I’m a huge fan of the café St. Régis, that is located on the île St. Louis, right in the centre of Paris next to the Seine. When I’m in Paris, I spend my mornings there, drinking their fabulous hot choclate and reading the french newspaper. It’s a perfect place in a great city.
Kathy Gallo says
Hi Ashley! Your posts are amazing! I visited Paris a couple of months ago! But could not enjoy very much! This time I would definitely visit those amazing cafes! Those foods sound heavenly! Thanks for this post dear. And One thing, you are really so much gorgeous <3
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Ugh take me back!! I love that in Paris it’s totally expected of you to eat croissants and baguettes everyday, something America needs to work on!
Amanda says
You look like the perfect French mademoiselle! Your pictures are stunning and I hope that one of these French cafes picks you up to be an international travel and hospitality ambassador. The food looks delicious too, but you truly look like you fit right in to that beautiful environment. You are so lucky. You need your own portfolio aside from food.
bakerbynature says
Amanda, you are SO sweet! Thank you 🙂
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
oh…my…GOD.
I need to get myself to Paris ASAP because these cafes sound heavenly