If you know The Earful Tower, you know I like to divide Paris into the “best of” for each of the 20 districts (or arrondissements). I’ve done it with bars, restaurants, free things to do…
In fact, I’ve done a whole guide to the city (the PDF is free for Patreon supporters or just buy it below).
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Anyway, now it’s time to turn my attention to coffee. Here’s what I recommend, with a few tips from past guests thrown in. And yes, this is almost all specialty coffee where something like a cappuccino would cost four to five euros.
1st: Kitsune. This place is pretty petite, but the location is great. In fact, get a takeaway coffee and go and explore the Palais Royale on the café’s doorstep. Address: 52 rue de Richelieu.
2nd: Mata Mata. Friendly staff, New Zealand vibe, and a surprisingly big downstairs area. The cafe’s surroundings are excellent, with Rue Montorgueil just around the corner. Address: 58 rue d’Argout.
3rd: Cafe Louistic. Tucked away on a side street near the Pompidou museum, this place offers strong banter from the owner Channa, but much stronger coffee. Address: 40 Rue Chapon
4th: Le Peloton. This place is regularly mentioned on The Earful Tower and for good reason: They’re the friendliest baristas in Paris, their filter coffee is worth having twice, and they have superb Swedish banana bread. Address: 17 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe
5th: Shakespeare and Co cafe. You’d be mad not to grab a coffee here after you’ve checked out the books on offer next door. Sit outside and enjoy an unparalleled view of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie
6th: The Café Procope. It was the very first café in Paris, founded in 1686, and offers unmissable French revolution memorabilia upstairs. You can even see Napoleon’s hat in the window. Address: 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie
7th: Coutume. This place is simply the Godfather of the Paris coffee scene. It, alone, is worth the trip across the River Seine. Address: 47 rue de Babylone
8th: The Café du Petit Palais. It’s free to access the interior courtyard of the Petit Palais art museum. The cafe’s coffee might not win any awards, the setting is a real treat. Address: Avenue Winston Churchill
9th: KB coffee shop is a top spot for people-watching over a flat white. Address: 53 avenue Trudaine
10th: Ten Belles may look little from the outside, but pop inside and enjoy a hot coffee served by warm-hearted baristas. Address: 10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles
11th: Cafe Méricourt. The freshest spot on the Paris coffee scene, this place is filled with natural light from the huge windows and from the guy who runs the place, Guy. Address: 22 Rue de la Folie Méricourt
He was recently on this podcast talking about whether hipsters are ruining Paris.
12th: Café Aouba. This tiny little spot is hidden by the Aligre Markets and is the perfect place to grab a coffee before taking on the markets. And they roast their own beans too. Address: 30 rue d’Aligre
13th: L’arobase cafe. Someone in the coffee industry told me that the 13th arrondissement is a “wasteland for good coffee”. Seems true to me, this area was the hardest to find a good coffee shop. But L’arobase will tide you over and their cakes get great reviews. Address: 101 rue du chevaleret
14th: Hexagone cafe. While it might be a little off the beaten track, these guys know their coffee and it’s worth finding. Address: 121 rue du Château
15th: Good News Coffee Shop. This place is the newest on the list, it opened in April 2018. Fresh, light, and run by an Aussie with a passion for good coffee. Check it out. Address: 27 bis Rue Mademoiselle.
16th: You Decide. You gotta love the name of this cafe. Where shall we go? You Decide. Ha! Anyway, come out here if you’re looking for a little lunch before your coffee too. Address: 152 Avenue Victor Hugo
17th: Dose. Cosy setting, friendly staff, and tasty coffee. What more do you need? Address: 82 Place du Dr Félix Lobligeois
18th: Cafe Lomi has something quite rare in Paris… a really wide open view through the windowed entry wall. It feels like you’re in Australia or something with all that space. And the staff make the effort to remember your name. Address: 3 ter Rue Marcadet
19th: Kaffeebar. Tucked away behind the canal (in the area that’s quickly becoming the new trendy hangout for Parisians) you’ll find Kaffeebar. The perfect way to reward yourself after a long canal stroll. Address: 26B Rue de l’Ourcq
20th: Le Barbouquin. Here’s a neat spot on the most colourful street in Paris. Nice coffees and great ice coffee when it’s hot outside. Address: 1 Rue Denoyez, 75020 Paris
Well that’s it. If you enjoy podcasts with your coffee, subscribe to this one here.
And if you like Paris tips, check out The Earful Tower’s Guide: 150 Things to do in Paris.
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Hi. Never heard back from you re a date to meet up! A
Ah yes, just responded now via email 🙂
Hello Earful Tower! As an addition to this excellently helpful post, Boot Café at 26 rue des Grands Augustins in the 6th is across the road from my apartment and the answer to all of my prayers! They know how to turn coffee with milk into a perfect café latte (on the menu as a café creme) ☺️.
Yes, the Boot is a worthy runner up!
My son was in Paris this week, so I sent him to Shakespeare and Co cafe on your recommendation. He said the coffee was good and he even bought a book next door! Merci Oliver.
Glad to hear it Colin!