Is it really a trip to Paris if you don’t fully embrace café culture? There are two sorts of cafés – the kind with uninspiring food and terrible coffee, but still with a charm that allows you to face outward with the masses and watch people strolling past. Then there’s the subset of coffee spots worth seeking out, who provide a memorable atmosphere and a truly artisanal cup.
Café Kitsuné
This French-Japanese lifestyle brand has the trendy coffee shop game down. With five locations in Paris, there is plenty of opportunity to get a nice cup at Kitsuné. The most popular location is the one at Palais Royal, and it’s your best bet for a gorgeous locale. There’s usually a line, but it goes quickly. Grab your coffee and a table outside (the only seating available), or stroll the beautiful Palais Royal with its tree lined walkways, flowers, and fountains.
Coutume is an institution when it comes to quality coffee, crafted with care, in the city of light. Founded in 2011, the original location is in the 7th arrondissement, near the Rodin museum & gardens. They have since expanded to 10 locations. That doesn’t mean they are a cookie-cutter generic coffee shop. Coutume cares deeply about sourcing the best beans, and they have just about every method of brewing available. Add a perfect morning to your itinerary by having brunch followed by a stroll through the Rodin gardens.
Ob-La-Di | Photo Source: Petite Passport
Ob-La-Di
Tiny but adorable Ob-La-Di has been a top hip brunch spot for years. It’s a short menu with just 3 items: a “mess bowl” of Korean-influenced tofu, eggplant, rice & kale, the ever-popular avocado toast, or fresh baked granola with yogurt. The distressed walls and marble counters at this Marais location make it quite Instagrammable and worth the attempt to snag a table or a cup to-go.
Café Marly | Photo Source: GermanopratineCafé Marly | Photo Source: Angela di PaoloCafé Marly | Photo Source: Angela di Paolo
Café Marly
You could while away an entire glorious afternoon at Café Marly with its regal position overlooking the iconic Louvre pyramids. While it doesn’t exactly classify as artisanal coffee, its stunning surroundings more than make up for it. There’s not many other places that will give you the Paris café feel than being surrounded by palatial views and I.M. Pei’s glass pyramids under soaring archways. It will cost you a pretty penny, but when in Paris, darling.
For the trifecta of food, coffee & atmosphere, Cuppa Café has light yet ample plates of colorful brunch bursting with freshness (with vegan and gluten-free options). Go for the eggs benedict with the fattest slice of toasted brioche, smoked salmon, roasted mushrooms and poached eggs.or a perfectly baked scone. They don’t accept reservations, but still try to grab a little marble table surrounded by walls lined with monochrome books.
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