Paris is a city that moves to the rhythm of espresso cups clinking on marble tables, the hum of conversation in hidden courtyards, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafting through narrow streets. To understand Paris is to understand its coffee — a beverage that’s not merely consumed but celebrated, savored, and endlessly discussed.
This expanded guide takes you deeper into the city’s rich coffee landscape. We’ll explore both the third-wave revolution transforming Paris’s caffeine scene and the timeless charm of traditional cafés that have been social landmarks for centuries. Whether you’re a traveler, a local enthusiast, or a digital nomad seeking the perfect flat white, this is your roadmap to the very best coffee in Paris.
☕ Third-Wave & Specialty Cafés: Modern Art in a Cup
Third-wave coffee culture has taken Paris by storm, infusing scientific precision and artistry into every pour. These cafés are where baristas experiment, beans are treated like fine wine, and each sip tells a story of craftsmanship.
Substance Café (2nd Arrondissement)
Address: 30 Rue Dussoubs, 75002 Paris
This minimalist temple of coffee is an experience unlike any other in Paris. Barista and roaster Joachim curates tasting sessions that rival fine-dining experiences. There’s no sugar, no Wi-Fi, and no distractions — only the pure essence of perfectly roasted beans served with quiet reverence. Each espresso is brewed with mathematical precision, allowing subtle fruit notes and velvety textures to shine.
Must-Try: Seasonal single-origin espresso, house sourdough slice
Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning to observe Joachim’s brewing ritual — it’s mesmerizing.
Best For: Coffee purists and connoisseurs who crave an intimate, focused experience.
Kawa Café (Marais & Palais-Royal)
Address: 22 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010 & 20 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
Kawa Café is where science meets soul. A leader of Paris’s third-wave movement, Kawa has transformed coffee appreciation into a precise craft. Each bean is roasted to highlight its terroir, with fruity Ethiopian blends and floral Panamanian varieties among their most sought-after.
Must-Try: Ethiopia light roast espresso, oat flat white
Vibe: Sleek, modern, minimalist
Standout: Their roastery supplies beans to Michelin-starred restaurants — proof of Kawa’s reputation among Paris’s culinary elite.
Motors Coffee (1st Arrondissement)
Address: 7 Rue des Halles, 75001 Paris
Motors Coffee is the heart of Paris’s precision-brewing scene. Known for its meticulous approach, the café re-mineralizes water to specific pH levels for each roast. Baristas weigh, time, and taste every shot to perfection. The result is coffee so clean and consistent that locals often describe it as “liquid craftsmanship.”
Must-Try: Onyx or Sey filter coffee, pistachio loaf
Vibe: Contemporary, calm, and quietly confident
Best For: Coffee professionals and design lovers who appreciate fine detail.
Télescope (1st Arrondissement)
Address: 5 Rue Villedo, 75001 Paris
A cornerstone of the Paris specialty scene, Télescope strips coffee back to its purest form. There are no distractions here — no Wi-Fi, no laptops, just immaculate espresso. The whitewashed walls and light wood counters reflect the café’s Nordic simplicity. David Flynn’s obsession with quality is evident in every pour.
Must-Try: Kenya single-origin espresso or pour-over
Vibe: Scandinavian minimalism meets Parisian precision
Insider Tip: Pair your espresso with a slice of lemon pound cake — the acidity complements the coffee beautifully.
Kott Café (11th Arrondissement)
Address: 19 Rue Ternaux, 75011 Paris
Kott Café is the Parisian answer to Seoul’s stylish coffee houses. White walls, vintage frames, and ambient jazz create a serene escape from the city buzz. Beyond their exceptional espresso, the café is known for its bingsu (Korean shaved ice) and artisanal pastries that balance East and West.
Must-Try: Viennese coffee topped with whipped cream, matcha madeleines
Vibe: Modern, artistic, photogenic
Best For: Brunch enthusiasts and aesthetic seekers.
Hanoï Corner (9th Arrondissement)
Address: 7 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, 75009 Paris
Hanoï Corner blends Vietnamese tradition with Parisian warmth. The coffee, slow-dripped through metal filters, offers rich caramel notes balanced by sweetness. Pair it with pandan chiffon or cassava cake for an authentic flavor journey to Hanoi.
Must-Try: Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá)
Vibe: Cozy and exotic
Standout: A rare taste of Southeast Asian coffee culture in central Paris.
Buddy Buddy (10th Arrondissement)
Address: 23 Rue du Château d’Eau, 75010 Paris
Imagine a café designed by a spacecraft architect — metallic surfaces, warm lighting, and nutty aromas everywhere. Buddy Buddy specializes in nut-based lattes, particularly peanut butter espresso drinks that have become a sensation online.
Must-Try: The signature Buddy Latte, peanut butter cookie
Vibe: Playful, futuristic, Instagram-worthy
Best For: Creative coffee lovers and plant-based drinkers.
KB Coffee Roasters (9th Arrondissement)
Address: 62 Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris
At KB, community and coffee come together. Their roastery in the 18th arrondissement supplies many of Paris’s finest cafés. The Rue des Martyrs location is perfect for a sunny terrace breakfast — sip a cappuccino, nibble a peanut croissant, and watch Montmartre wake up.
Must-Try: Flat white with house blend, homemade granola bowl
Vibe: Vibrant, social, and energetic
Pro Tip: Visit their sister café, Back in Black, for darker roast options.
Bonjour Jacob (6th Arrondissement)
Address: 6 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris
Bonjour Jacob combines coffee and culture seamlessly. With shelves lined with art books, it feels like sipping coffee in a creative studio. The playlist is mellow, the lighting warm, and the baristas often double as designers or writers.
Must-Try: Latte with oat milk, lemon poppyseed cake
Vibe: Creative, thoughtful, serene
Best For: Reading, remote work, and quiet reflection.
Crible (5th Arrondissement)
Address: 17 Rue Lagrange, 75005 Paris
Crible is where intimacy meets perfectionism. Owner Samah’s one-woman operation is all about personal connection. The café seats under ten people and every cup is brewed with beans from acclaimed Nordic roaster Drop Coffee. Patrons describe it as “a living postcard of slow coffee.”
Must-Try: Aeropress filter coffee
Vibe: Cozy, calm, heartfelt
Best For: Morning meditations with coffee.
🥐 Classic Parisian Cafés: Where Time Stands Still
These timeless institutions are more than cafés — they’re symbols of Parisian life. Writers, artists, and revolutionaries once sat here for hours, turning caffeine into creativity. Today, they remain perfect spots for slow mornings, people-watching, and absorbing the city’s elegance.
Angelina (1st Arrondissement)
Address: 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Founded in 1903, Angelina has long reigned as Paris’s most famous tearoom. With its ornate mirrors and golden accents, stepping inside feels like entering another century. The signature Chocolat l’Africain is more dessert than drink — a thick, molten cocoa served with whipped cream.
Must-Try: Hot chocolate & Mont-Blanc pastry
Experience Tip: Go early to avoid the long queues; mornings are calmest.
Vibe: Elegant, indulgent, timeless.
Le Consulat (Montmartre)
Address: 18 Rue Norvins, 75018 Paris
Few places embody artistic Paris like Le Consulat. With its red façade and cobblestone terrace, this café is history frozen in time. Order a café crème, watch street artists sketch tourists, and imagine the ghosts of Picasso and Monet still whispering nearby.
Must-Try: Croque-monsieur & espresso
Vibe: Bohemian and romantic
Best For: Sunrise or sunset moments in Montmartre.
Café des Deux Moulins (18th Arrondissement)
Address: 15 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris
Known worldwide from the film Amélie, this retro café captures the magic of old Paris. Its red booths, Art Deco lights, and cozy energy create a cinematic experience.
Must-Try: Crème brûlée (as in the movie!) & espresso
Vibe: Whimsical, vintage, nostalgic
Best For: Movie lovers and nostalgic travelers.
Les Deux Magots (6th Arrondissement)
Address: 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris
Once the intellectual heart of Paris, this café hosted Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Hemingway. Sit on the terrace with a newspaper and a café crème as jazz music hums in the distance — a scene that defines the Parisian dream.
Must-Try: Petit déjeuner Hemingway
Vibe: Literary, refined, classic
Best For: Breakfast under the Parisian sun.
Café de Flore (6th Arrondissement)
Address: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
Café de Flore is a living legend. Known for its iconic green-and-gold décor, it has been the haunt of existentialists, models, and movie stars alike. The waiters, in crisp black and white uniforms, glide between tables with effortless grace.
Must-Try: Café crème & tartine with butter and jam
Vibe: Elegant and cinematic
Best For: Experiencing Paris at its most classic.
Café de la Paix (9th Arrondissement)
Address: 5 Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
A palace of marble and chandeliers, Café de la Paix sits proudly opposite the Opera Garnier. Once frequented by Oscar Wilde and Emile Zola, this café exudes grandeur. Order a cappuccino, admire the ornate ceiling, and feel transported to the Belle Époque.
Must-Try: Mille-feuille pastry with cappuccino
Vibe: Luxurious, regal, awe-inspiring
Best For: Elegant afternoons or romantic evenings.
Le Nemours (1st Arrondissement)
Address: 2 Place Colette, 75001 Paris
Le Nemours is the definition of understated Parisian chic. Located by the Palais-Royal, it’s a favorite of actors, journalists, and locals who prefer quiet luxury. The terrace, framed by limestone columns, is ideal for morning coffee as the city awakens.
Must-Try: Cappuccino & omelette
Vibe: Sophisticated, calm, cinematic
Best For: People-watching and morning journaling.
Café Carette (Trocadéro)
Address: 4 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris
With sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower, Café Carette combines impeccable pâtisserie with postcard perfection. Try their signature Tarte Tatin or Paris-Brest while the city sparkles before you.
Must-Try: Tarte Tatin & café crème
Vibe: Glamorous, bright, romantic
Best For: Afternoon tea with an Eiffel Tower view.
🌆 Final Thoughts: Paris, One Cup at a Time
Paris’s café culture is not just about coffee — it’s about connection, history, and atmosphere. The city’s third-wave baristas have elevated coffee to an art form, while its traditional cafés preserve the poetry of slower living. Whether you’re chasing latte perfection in a minimalist roastery or savoring hot chocolate under chandeliers, each café tells a story — and together, they form the beating heart of Paris.
Pro Tip: Combine both worlds — start your day with an espresso at Télescope, enjoy brunch at Ob-La-Di in the Marais, and watch the sun set over Saint-Germain with a café crème at Café de Flore. That’s the essence of Paris in a day: timeless, flavorful, and unforgettable.