Cafe entertainment in Paris
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Les Deux Magots
If ever there were a cafe that summed up St-Germain des Prés’ early-20th-century literary scene, it’s this former hangout of anyone who was anyone. You will spend beaucoup to sip a coffee in a wicker chair on the terrace shaded by dark-green awnings and geraniums spilling from window boxes, but it’s an undeniable piece of Parisian history.
If you’re feeling decadent, order its famous shop-made hot chocolate, served in porcelain jugs. The name refers to the two magots (grotesque figurines) of Chinese dignitaries at the entrance.
reviewed
-
B
Le Pure Café
A classic Parisian haunt, this rustic, cherry-red corner cafe was featured in the art-house film Before Sunset but it’s still a refreshingly unpretentious spot for a drink or well-crafted fare like veal with chestnut purée.
reviewed
-
C
Le Loir dans La Théière
Its cutesy name (Dormouse in the Teapot) notwithstanding, this is a wonderful old space filled with retro toys, comfy couches and scenes of Through the Looking Glass on the walls. It's dozen different types of tea poured in the company of excellent savoury tarts and crumble-type desserts ensure a constant queue on the street outside. Breakfast (€12) and brunch (€19.50) too.
reviewed
-
D
Le Verre à Pied
This café-tabac is a pearl of a place where little has changed since 1870. Its nicotine-hued mirrored wall, moulded cornices and original bar make it part of a dying breed, but the place oozes the charm, glamour and romance of an old Paris everyone loves, including stall holders from the rue Mouffetard market who yo-yo in and out.
Contemporary photography and art adorns one wall. Lunch is a busy, lively affair, and live music quickens the pulse a couple of evenings a week.
reviewed
-
E
Café Delmas
Enviably situated on tree-studded place de la Contrescarpe, the Delmas is a hot spot for chilling over un café/cappuccino or all-day breakfast. Cosy up beneath overhead heaters outside to soak up the street atmosphere or snuggle up between books in the library-style interior – awash with students from the nearby universities.
If you’re looking for the bathrooms, note that Jacqueline is for women, Jacques for men.
reviewed
-
F
L’Apparemment Café
This tasteful haven, tucked behind the Musée Picasso, is just like home with its wood panelling, leather sofas, scattered parlour games to play and dog-eared books to read. Sunday brunch.
reviewed
-
G
Café Suédois
Housed in the beautiful 16th-century Hôtel de Marle, this gorgeous cafe in the Swedish Cultural Institute lures Parisians like bees to a honey pot with its delicious soups, sandwiches and cakes eaten inside or – best up – outside in the tranquil paved courtyard.
reviewed
-
H
Au Chat Noir
This attractive corner cafe with high ceilings and a long, wooden bar is a happening but relaxed drinking space. It’s also a great cafe in which to hang out or read emails during the day. Downstairs is more animated, with occasional live concerts.
reviewed
-
I
Café Thoumieux
The trendy tapas annexe of Brasserie Thoumieux is always full of well-heeled young Parisians enjoying the Iberian ambience. Tapas and San Miguel beer set the scene, but perfumed vodka is the house speciality, with no fewer than 40 different types (including chocolate, fig, watermelon and mint tea) to choose from.
reviewed
-
J
Café Beaubourg
This upbeat minimalist cafe across from the Centre Pompidou has been drawing a well-heeled crowd on its terrace for two dozen years now.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
L’Autre Café
A young mixed crowd of locals, artists, film-makers and party-goers remains faithful to this literary cafe with its 8m-long zinc-topped bar, spacious seating areas, relaxed environment, reasonable prices and exhibition openings.
It’s a great place to open your laptop and indulge in a little work or surf, browse the many newspapers and art magazines, or hang with mates in the small lounge upstairs. Sunday brunch, noon to 5pm, is a hip date.
reviewed
-
L
Café de Flore
The red upholstered benches, mirrors and marble walls at this art deco landmark haven’t changed much since the days when Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir essentially set up office here, writing in its warmth during the Nazi occupation. It also hosts a monthly English-language philocafé session.
reviewed
-
M
Le Select
Dating from 1923, this Montparnasse institution was the first of the area’s grand cafes to stay open late into the night, and it still draws everyone from beer-swigging students to whisky-swilling politicians. Tartines made with Poilâne bread are a speciality.
reviewed
-
N
Café La Palette
In the heart of gallery land, this fin-de-siècle cafe and erstwhile stomping ground of Paul Cézanne and Georges Braque attracts a grown-up set of fashion people and local art dealers. Its summer terrace is beautiful.
reviewed
-
O
La Chaise au Plafond
Bohemian Marais at its best: The Chair on the Ceiling is a peaceful, warm place, with wooden tables outside on a terrace giving onto tranquil, boutique-encrusted rue du Tréor – a real oasis from the frenzy of the Marais. Its wine list is fine, and its food menu is an ode to local producers – vegetables, eggs for its all-day brunch (€21), apples for a juice not to be missed and so on, all arrive fresh from an organic farm 30km outside Paris. And les toilettes, a sharp mix of shiny stainless steel and sculpted bronze.
reviewed
-
P
Café des Phares
There is no better spot to bask in the morning sun and watch Parisian traffic twirl around the July Column than the Beacons Café, the city’s original bistrot philo (philosophers’ bistro) where pensive Parisians meet on Sunday morning to debate the meaning of life and all that. Posy Paris at its best!
reviewed