Paris (France), a.k.a. ‘The City of Love’ is home to the oldest running cafes in the world. Many dates back to the 18th century and are reminiscent of eminent figures like Picasso, Napoleon Bonaparte, Rousseau, etc. Typically, Parisian cafés were considered social institutions - places to meet friends, read newspapers, play checkers, and discuss politics over coffee. Many present-day cafes carry on the legacy, and the vibe in some will take you back to the days Ernest Hemingway wrote the masterpiece ‘The Sun Also Rises’.
Here is a list of 22 carefully-curated cafes. Your visit to the country is incomplete if you miss out on these places.
Opened during the Third Republic in the 1880s, Café de Flore is one of the oldest coffeehouses in town. It was a popular hub for renowned artists and philosophers, including Pablo Picasso, Eugene Ionesco, etc. To this day, it remains one of the most famed hangouts of celebrities and has even been in novels, music videos, films, and TV shows like Gossip Girl. Just bear in mind that this is not a commonplace coffee house, and the prices can be a bit on the expensive side.
Must try: French Croissant, Soupe à l'oignon, Welsh Rarebit Location: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Sunday: 7:30 AM - 1:30 AM
2. Les Deux Magots, Paris
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Les Deux Magots is a must-visit if you are a literary nerd. Since the 1880s, it was the closest rival of Café de Flore in terms of its reputation for its high-profile clientele. The cafe regularly hosts meetings, cultural events, and musical concerts. If you are a jazz lover, hop in on Thursdays between 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM for a ‘Jazzy Thursday.’
Must try: Croque-Monsieur, Quiche Lorraine Location: 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Sunday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM
3. Le Procope, Paris
Source'Paris in its purest form’! Le Procope, the oldest cafe in Paris, was enlisted as a historical monument in 1962. It is the world’s first literary cafe and the most revolutionary cafe back then. With wallpapers dating back to the 1830s and interiors heavily influenced by the 18th-century French style, this is your ideal spot to experience the Paris of the 1880s. The cafe’s idyllic outdoor seating complements the food. But do make it a point to avoid casuals like ripped jeans.
Must try: Soupe à l'oignon, Coq au vin, Crème brûlée Location: 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France Timings: Sunday: 11:30 AM - Midnight Monday - Wednesday: 11:30 AM - Midnight Thursday - Saturday: 11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
4. Hard Rock Cafe, Lyon
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Lyon’s Hard Rock is the cafe you must drop into if you want to take a break from French cuisine. It bagged the “Best Burger in the World” award at the Sirah World Burger Contest 2019. With great rock music in the backdrop and the impressive bar setting crafted out of Bacardi bottles, Hard Rock Cafe is the ideal place to capture beautiful memories and Instagram-worthy pictures.
Must try: Hamburger, Fries Location: 1 Rue du Président Carnot, 69002 Lyon, France Timings: Saturday and Sunday: 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM Monday: Closed Tuesday - Thursday: 11:45 AM - 11:00 PM Friday: 11:45 AM - 1:00 AM
5. Café des Deux Moulins
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A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a visit to Café des Deux Moulins. Apart from the classic French cuisine and exceptional service, what draws customers to the cafe is that this was where the French blockbuster Amélie was shoot. With live music playing in the background, the cafe exudes a festive vibe, especially on the weekends - perfect for late-night dining.
Must try: Crème brûlée Location: 15 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Sunday: 7:00 AM - 1:30 AM
6. Café de la Rotonde, Paris
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Café de la Rotonde was where dadaism, surrealism, and cubism came to life. To this day, La Rotonde retains much of its bohemian charm and caters to the Parisian artistic intelligentsia and French cuisine lovers. Unlike similar establishments, Café de la Rotonde is a brasserie catering to customers with different budgets. In the evenings, you can access the built-in bar with an extensive wine list and be spoiled for choice.
Must try: Steak tartare, Chicken Caesar salad Location: 105 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Sunday: 7:30 AM - 12:00 AM
7. Café de la Paix, Paris
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In terms of decor, the iconic Café de la Paix falls nothing short of Chateaux de Versailles. It elegantly blends the Napoleon III decor with the contemporary spirit expressed in its glory with the natural tones. You can also hop in for a quick coffee, relish a light gourmet lunch, or succumb to the sweet temptation of homemade pastry. Whoever you are with, the elegance of Café de La Paix is the perfect place to make memories.
Must try: Foie Gras Location: 5 Place de l'Opéra Timings: Sunday - Monday: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
8. Carette, Paris
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A trip to Paris without savoring Carette’s Viennese hot chocolate is a miss. Their top-notch service is another of the cafe's highlights. Another of Carette’s specials is the Macaroons - the perfect gift to take back home for your loved ones. Besides that, you can also splurge on sandwiches and classic French pastries. The creme de la creme is that it is close to the Eiffel Tower.
Must try: The Viennese hot chocolate, Macaroons Location: 4 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 11:30 PM Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 AM - 11:30 PM
9. Café Pascal - Clermont-Ferrand
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Café Pascal is a lovely little rugby bar with a cozy atmosphere - the regular meeting place of rugby fanatics. If you are into the sport, you’ll miss out on a lot if you skip this place. Select from a full range of 13 beers on tap as you watch and chat away rugby talks with fellow rugby lovers. If you are looking for a posh cafe to dine in, skip this place because Café Pascal is more about the vibe and less about the looks.
Must try: Beer Location: 4 Pl. de la Victoire, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France Timings: Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM - 5 PM Monday - Thursday: 7 AM - 7 PM Friday: 7 AM - 6 PM
10. Le Select, Paris
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With small round tables and red-leathered booths with touches of gold, Le Select exudes an ‘old-world Parisian’ vibe - “the soul of Montparnasse”, as Hemingway put it. Opt for the glassed terrace or the windowless dining area for a tete-a-tete far into the night. Or bask in the outdoor seating if you want to observe the hustle and bustle of the Parisian streets in real-time.
Must try: Croque monsieur, Roasted chicken, Crème brûlée, Steak tartare Location: 99 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France Timings: Sunday - Thursday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM Friday and Saturday: 7:00 AM - 3:00 AM
11. Le Grand Café, Moulins
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During her prime, Coco Chanel frequented the historic restaurant of Le Grand Café in the charming town of Moulins. It is a typical Parisien brasserie on the way to Fontainebleau Palace that serves exceptional French food at reasonable prices.
Must try: Steak tartare Location: 49 Pl. d'Allier, 03000 Moulins, France Timings: Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
12. Le Consulat, Paris
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Le Consulat is a cafe that retains the vintage charm and the vibe of the bygone era. The cafe serves delicious mussels and has a bar with a wide selection of beer. You can bask in the warm weather while watching the world pass by over a glass of beer with local artists playing guitar in the backdrop. What can be more Parisian than that?
Must try: Steak au Poivre avec pomme frites (steak and fries), Onion soup Location: 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 7:00 PM Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 - 10:30 PM
13. Au Petit Bonheur Café-Bar-Bistrot
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Often called ‘The Place of Happiness’, Au Petit Bonheur Café-Bar-Bistrot is a tiny cafe that serves authentic French cuisine. If the Parisian life, hustle, and bustle delight you, you can take a table outdoors and enjoy your meal/ drink, watching the delightful charm of Paris in real-time.
Must try: Parfait Location: 58 Rue du Marthuret, 63200 Riom, France Timings: Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday: 8:00 AM - 1:30 AM
14. Café de Paris Châteauroux
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Café de Paris is a charming little cafe in the heart of Châteauroux town. One of the best places if you don't speak French. Besides the lip-smackingly delicious food, the friendly staff and the top-notch service continue to draw customers. If you have a sweet tooth, Café de Paris has desserts that literally melt in the mouth. You can also choose from a wide selection of local wines. The cherry on top of this cafe is that it is reasonably priced, unlike other Parisian cafes.
Must try: Profiteroles Location: 18 Pl. de la République, 36000 Châteauroux, France Timings: Sunday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday - Saturday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
15. Le Tambour, Paris
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Le Tambour is an authentic French café that primarily serves beef-based Parisian dishes - a funky little cafe in a rustic setting. Besides the great food, it also has beer on the tap. Talking about drinks, this gem of a place serves wine from across the country - all at reasonable prices. If the sidewalk tables aren't your thing, you can ask for a table in the dining area - away from the noise and traffic fumes. This place is another great choice if you struggle to speak French.
Must try: Risotto, Salade de croton de chèvre ever Location: 41 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Sunday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM
16. The Caféothèque of Paris
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Paris’s Caféothèque, the laid-back San Francisco-inspired cafe, is a paradise for coffee junkies. It is one of the few Parisian cafes that roast and brew its own coffee from beans imported from 31 different countries. Occasionally, the service is not as prompt as you would like it to be. But no worries! The quality and the rich flavor of the coffee compensate for it all.
Must try: Flat white, Three-layered cheesecake Location: 52 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 4e, Paris, France Timings: Sunday - Monday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
17. KB CaféShop Paris
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Around the corner of Rue des Martyrs stands KB CaféShop, an independent budget-friendly coffee shop and a sweet haven for coffee connoisseurs. It may not be the typical hideout for a romantic evening with your partner. The charming servers do their best to make customers feel at home, making the cafe a complete package.
Must try: Spiced chai lattes, Hot chocolate, Carrot cake, Apple crumble slice, Flat whites Location: 53 Avenue Trudaine, Paris Timings: Monday - Friday: 7:45 AM - 6:30 PM Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
18. Café Français Paris
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Facing the Opera Bastille is Café Français, a modern Parisian brasserie. With its elegant bar and spacious terrace with large rattan armchairs overlooking the Place de la Bastille, the cafe is perfect both for a quick meal and relaxing weekend brunches. The prices here tend to be higher than most of the cafes nearby. But the taste and ambiance say it all. It is indeed a true blessing for Paris, as visitors put it. If you are in a large group (12 or more), book a table ahead to avoid inconveniences.
Must try: Chocolate moelleux, Omlette Location: 1-3 Place de la Bastille 75004 Paris, France Timings: Sunday - Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
19. La Fontaine de Belleville
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La Fontaine de Belleville is a typical French bistro located about 50 meters away from Colonel Fabien Metro Station. The cafe does not serve a wide range of delicacies. But from the organic ingredients to the dishes, it's safe to say that much attention goes into serving the best possible version of the few items. Also, their service is nothing like the other Parisian cafes that stall you for hours without food. Another thing: the items on the menu will not dig a hole in your wallet like most other Parisian cafes.
Must try: Croque monsieur, Flat white, Espresso Location: 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris, France Timings: Sunday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM Monday - Wednesday, Friday: 7:30 AM - 1:00 AM Thursday: 7:30 AM - 2:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM
20. Cravan Paris
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Tucked in the pleasant residential area of the 16th arrondissement is Le Cravan, a cocktail bar with an avant-garde spirit. It is named after the boxer-poet Arthur Cravan, the famed dadaist and nephew of Oscar Wilde. The sole focus of the cafe is on crafting refreshingly- balanced cocktails using carefully selected ingredients. We recommend you hit the terrace if you visit during the colder months.
Must try: Tunnel, Yellow, Royal Basilic Location: 17 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris, France Timings: Sunday - Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Saturday: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
21. Café de l'Industrie
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Café de l'Industrie is a two-part cafe just 5 minutes away from Place de la Bastille. Its value for money constantly attracts different types of customers. And you'll almost always find a queue outside. If you have any health issues and need a personalized meal, you can let the staff know, and they will whip up a hot meal for you without any hassle. In other words, you can say Café de l'Industrie is a home away from home.
Must try: Duck confit Location: 16 Rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris, France Timings: Sunday - Monday: 8:30 AM - 2:00 AM
22. Café du Coin
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Cafe du coin is a charming cafe near the Atelier des Lumieres. Modest as it looks, this little cafe is an absolute find, serving generous portions of home-cooked French dishes. The food is fairly priced, considering the quality, ambiance, and location in general.
Must try: Pizzetta, Fondant Baulois, Veal Location: 9 Rue Camille Desmoulins, 75011 Paris, France Timings: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 AM Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Parisian cafés have existed since the 17th century. Café culture is deep-rooted in Paris' identity as its iconic architecture. It's difficult to go more than a few feet without stumbling upon a café. They are not just places to dine in but rendezvous spots where Parisian citizens and tourists can relax and refuel over social, political, and culinary life discussions.
