Coffee in Paris: New cafes serving up tasty drinks from talented baristas
The coffee scene is changing in Paris. Gone are the days when all Parisians dined at fancy bistros and sipped on bitter Café Richard espresso. Now it seems like every time you turn around a new trendy café has opened that’s serves a decidedly hip clientele. But most importantly, at many of these spots the coffee actually tastes good.
Wait, what? Isn’t Paris supposed the be the city for coffee? As we explained in this post in 2012, Paris’ cafés are perhaps the best in the world at creating the perfect café ambiance… but often the coffee itself is bitter and lousy. As the previous post pointed out, however, there is a coffee revolution brewing in Paris. Finally, some cafés with decent roasts and talented baristas have entered the scene.
In the two years since we published that post, however, a handful of new coffee shops have opened around the city that deserve a mention. Alors, it’s time for a coffee in Paris update!
A perfectly poured espresso drink and expert barista Thomas Lehoux of Ten Belles. Photo: Didier Gauducheau (courtesy of HiP Blog)
Ten Belles
10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010
Website
Steps from the Canal St. Martin, Ten Belles is a cozy and intimate café that’s the perfect place to read a book or catch up with a friend. With a focus on quality roasts and impeccable execution, the coffee here will not disappoint. In addition to the gourmet beans, the food is simply delicious. Ten Belles offers two types of sandwiches every day (one veg and one non-veg) in addition to delicious cookies and other assorted baked treats. This is the perfect spot if you’re craving the Brooklyn vibe while abroad.
Café Craft
24 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010
Website
Just around the corner from Ten Belles, Café Craft has a more industrial vibe. With a strictly black and white aesthetic and a long sprawling table, it is a great place to get some work done while on the road. In fact, that’s kind of the point. The Café Craft concept is this: pay either by consumption or connection. This means you can either purchase coffee and food and leave within the hour, or stay to work in the perfectly curated setting, paying €3 per hour for the Internet and environment. This may seem a bit strange, but to students, freelancers and people on a working holiday, it’s the perfect arrangement.
The entrance to Strada Cafe, a pint-sized spot making delicious espresso drinks. Photo: Courtesy of Strada Cafe.
Strada Café
94 Rue du Temple, 75003
Website
Hidden on Rue du Temple in the Marais, Strada Café is a tiny expat hangout with tasty coffee, food and fresh squeezed juices. It is fashioned with eclectic furniture and is decidedly unpretentious. With free Wi-Fi, friendly English-speaking staff and soft music, what’s not to like?
Fragments
76 rue de Tournelles, 75003
Website
Fragments is a relative newcomer to the Paris coffee scene, having opened jut a few months ago. The setting is ideal, with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and dark wooden furniture. You’ll notice an acute attention to detail in this café, where everything seems to be meticulously designed and catered, yet simple and elegant. What’s more, the coffee is incredible, and the simple accompanying bites to eat are delicious. The only thing missing is free Wi-Fi.
