Where to Find the Best Specialty Coffee in Paris

Cafe culture is thriving in Paris, and has been for centuries. From intellectuals and creators packing the cafes in St. Germain in the 1800’s, to noticeably every Parisian in the city flocking to cafes in the afternoon in current day, cafe culture is still alive and well in Paris. But that cafe culture hasn`t necessarily always translated to superb coffee.

If you’re looking for the best coffee in Paris, you’re in the right place – we’re going to go through 10 Parisian coffee shops that we enjoy, and think you will too.

Until recently, I would argue that the coffee culture in Paris was more about ambiance than the coffee itself (somewhat like Italy`s coffee scene, which still seems focused on atmosphere today).

During my initial trips to Paris in 2012 and 2014, I found the coffee to be rather bitter and not very enjoyable. At the time, I did not have extensive knowledge about specialty coffee beyond it providing caffeine, so I was not searching Paris for excellent pour over coffee from small roasters or balanced espresso shots with floral notes.

However, since then, my own coffee preferences have developed – I’ve recently delved into espresso at home, which is a profound rabbit hole to explore – and the specialty coffee scene in Paris has blossomed into consistently serving some of the best coffee worldwide, with coffee beans from nearly every continent, and featuring roasters from locations all across Europe.

In this guide, I’ll go through my top 10 coffee shops in Paris. I’m going to take you through the coffee shops that stood out to me for one reason or another – usually because of an experience that you won’t find elsewhere or a unique approach to coffee – and explain why I think they deserve a spot on my list.

One must acknowledge going into this guide that it has been compiled by and for serious coffee enthusiasts, and there will be significant discussion of tasting notes and extraction qualities. However, you should also recognise that each of these coffee establishments is equally capable of preparing a nearly flawless latte, cappuccino, or other beverage.

By the end, the hope is discovering at least one or two new spots to add to your list, and that visiting those places results in an remarkable cup of coffee and pleasant conversation with the barista.

Sound good to you? Time to get caffeinated! 

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10 Great Specialty Coffee Shops in Paris (Perfect for Coffee Nerds)

One odd thing I noticed in Paris is that, compared to other cities I’ve been to recently, there aren’t that many coffee roasters in Paris. Though, I will say that the ones that do exist are doing a phenomenal job.

Appropriately called, Milano Senza Glutine, and situated about a 20 minute tram or metro ride from the core, over to the east.

• Coffee Roasters: Pretty inherently understandable – these are the places that roast their own beans in house, usually with an assortment of origins and roasting styles (e.g. Colombia vs. Ethiopia, filter vs. espresso roast).
• Coffee Monogamists: These are the coffee shops that are in an exclusive relationship with a single roaster. They don’t roast the beans on-site, but source them from an outside roaster, usually a local roaster but not always.
• Coffee Curators: These coffee shops aim to offer patrons a wide diversity of beans to sample within their walls. They curate what they consider the top coffees sourced from roasters citywide, throughout the region, and globally, and brew them freshly on site. In general terms – though this is a broad generalization – I`ve found my finest coffee encounters occur at establishments of this kind.

In cities like Seattle or Portland, most specialty coffee retailers also function as roasters (with a few exceptions). This situation contrasts with Paris, where retail and roasting frequently remain separate industries!

In Paris, I found more coffee connoisseurs, rotating through different coffees and roasters than usual. Which I was receptive to because it`s my favored way to experience coffee and try new things, but thought it was unusual.

And, of course, it’s worth noting that I couldn’t possibly make it to every single coffee shop in Paris without overdosing on caffeine (which I certainly almost did at one point, when I turned to Alysha and said two words – “too much.”).

Toward the bottom of my list below is a grouping of destinations I hoped to reach but are saving for a future trip along with brief notes about what interests me about each place.

As an aficionado primarily of filtered coffee, I feel most equipped to comment on tasting notes and brewing styles related to drip coffee over espresso creations. For this reason, most of the below descriptions center on their offerings of filtered coffee rather than cappuccinos or espresso drinks.

Now, let`s examine this topic. The following are the best coffee shops in Paris according to my personal taste as an amateur coffee enthusiast and home barista ranked in order of preference.

I’ve now visited Substance three times to work my way through the different choices on their menu, and it is – by far – the best coffee experience I have ever had. All three times.

I would argue that this is more of a coffee experience, more similar to taking a class than it is to getting a cup of coffee at a normal café. When you’re planning to come here, make sure you have at least 30 minutes to dedicate to it.

Before discussing the coffee, I want to talk about coffee culture in Paris more comprehensively. Coffee culture and café culture in Paris are intricately linked.

When I reflect on coffee in Paris based on my prior encounters, it centers more around the atmosphere and the pastries / nourishment than the coffee itself. The notion that there is something fairly remarkable about sitting at a café in the Marais enjoying a pastry and sipping on a latte, observing the world (and the fascinating individuals comprising it) go by cannot be disputed.

But I would argue that the thing that’s rather unique is absolutely not the coffee.

In fact, my initial coffee encounters in Paris somewhat disappointed according to my current taste preferences.

Though I will note that during that time, I did not have a strong preference for coffee, and thought that “the darker the roast, the more bitter and therefore better” because supposedly more masculine individuals consume highly roasted coffee that is charred to the point where you can only detect roasted notes (which I later came to understand is completely false).

Substance, on the other hand, is very much all about the coffee. So much so that they have a sign on the door (and their website) that says “no carryout cups, no sugar, nor pastries, because we believe a good coffee deserves to be tasted while taking its time.”

The café is tucked away on an alley in the 2nd Arrondissement just off of Rue Montorgueil, and the compact area is filled with a U-shaped coffee bar that wraps around a coffee station with a couple of grinders and a Slayer Espresso machine.

Behind the counter is the individual with the magical touch, Joachim, who is the owner, roaster, barista, and I’m sure many other roles based on my brief conversation with him as I sat at the bar basking in the glory that is his coffee.

Every time I’m here, I’m flabbergasted at how effortlessly Joachim moves from station to station, pulling perfect shots of espresso and pouring excellent filter coffees.

But the most impressive part to me is his ability to do that WHILE engaging in complex conversations, switching between French and English depending on the customer. I know that I have to focus 100% on making coffee, and his skill constantly amazes me.

Joachim has participated in many different coffee competitions, both within France and internationally, and when asked about his awards displayed in the cafe, he recounted an excellent story about his experiences in coffee competitions, and his realization that he doesn’t want to prepare coffee for three judges once or twice a year.

Their goal is sharing those amazing coffee experiences with customers regardless of whether they are novices, experts, or somewhere in between.

Here is how it operates. They essentially have two menus: the primary menu, and the “special” menu. The primary menu consists of a coffee of the day, which alternates based on what is available, created either as a filtered coffee, an espresso, a macchiato, or a flat white.

The last time I was there, they were serving a naturally grown Ethiopian coffee. As a latte, Joachim described it as “blueberry cheesecake” in taste. YUM.

Then there’s the “special” menu, which is the fun part for coffee aficionados. The special menu consists of a collection of small batch, rare coffees from around the world. This goes back to the idea of making amazing coffee for consumers rather than judges.

These beans are the kinds of coffees that are made in competitions, and that you won’t generally find offered to consumers. They’re often rare varieties, processes, etc.

They cost a significant sum (8 – 20 Euros, approximately), but offer one of the sole places I’ve found where rare and best coffees worldwide can be tried individually (and believe me, I’ve been to many coffee shops globally).

The most intriguing part of the experience for me was Joachim taking the time to walk through each step of the process, beginning with details about the coffee beans, which were naturally processed beans from a single farm in Ethiopia. That is notable, as many Ethiopian coffees come from co-ops consisting of several nearby farms combining their harvests.

This coffee came from a single farm, whose farmer is personally known. The grains were then ground, a kettle and scale were brought, and using a V60 the entire cup was made from start to finish, including nerdy details like water temperature, source, and precise infusion amounts and weights.

Enough praise. For what I consider the ideal spot to sample specialty coffee in Paris (and if not, I`m uncertain why you read this far), go to Substance and you won`t be let down.

The only reason I knew about them is because the staff at Substance recommended them. I have ordered their beans a couple of times for delivery here in the US (which is too expensive to do for things other than special occasions), and their coffees are lightly roasted and, generally, excellent.

Fast forward one year to researching for my trip to Paris in the fall of 2022, and what do you know! Kawa Coffee opened a cafe and storefront!

I`m genuinely stating that it was my first stop in Paris – a friend and I arrived exhausted from the airport journey, threw on our backpacks, and headed straightway to Kawa for respite.

The individual working behind the counter at the coffee shop, whom I had become somewhat acquainted with through repeatedly visiting over the duration of my trip, looked at us as though our behavior was peculiar.

The menu contains two sections. There’s the extensive menu, with the different drinks you can order, then there’s the listing that has their various coffee options for both espresso and filter, if you’re looking to try something a little different. There are usually 3-4 choices for both, and they can range from €4-€15, depending on the coffee.

While in Paris with a coffee-loving friend, he was amazed by the shot of espresso we had. It was floral and bright, unlike any espresso I`ve been able to create myself at home. We also tried a few other coffees – one from Yemen, which was fun as it`s an origin you don`t often see, and one from Colombia.

They serve their filter coffee in a carafe with two different tasting glasses that are different shapes, and are meant to bring out different flavors and aromas. Fun!

I arrived right at opening – later than at home – and met the two owners, Ella and Florent, calibrating speakers in the shop, which was an amusing sight.

They’re a friendly, warm duo, and that vibe very much carries through to all four walls of their shop.

At the time of my visit in late 2022, they had recently begun serving coffee in Paris but had established a nice operation with their two founders.

I ordered a filtered coffee and an espresso made with the same naturally sourced Ethiopian coffee roasted by DAK out of the Netherlands – and I ended up obtaining a bag, which could only be described as an explosive blueberry flavor.

While sitting by the window, admiring the high ceilings, exposed brickwork, and abundance of natural light in the cafe, Florent brought over my coffee and, as I was the only patron at the time, we were able to converse somewhat about coffee, Paris, Seattle and Portland, and more.

I tried maintaining speaking French as frequently as possible, and he was tolerant and willing to switch to English when I did not comprehend or could not convey my thoughts, which I appreciated!

They also sampled coffees from The Picky Chemist, a micro roasting company based in Belgium that seemed quite interesting.

When Ella brought over the shot of espresso a little bit later, I remarked on how beautiful the ceramics were, and she thanked me and said that she crafts them all herself, which I thought was a lovely touch!

i/o Cafe

Eureka is the largest coastal city between San Francisco and the Oregon border. It’s a historic fishing center but has since transformed into a more artistic, eccentric community.

I almost walked past it without noticing it because it’s such a small space, with barely enough room for the coffee equipment, baristas, and the small pastry selection to fit inside.

This café stood out on the list due to the quality of the filter coffee I enjoyed there during my trip. It was a naturally processed (anaerobic, for fellow coffee aficionados) Colombian Coffee roasted by the Danish roaster La Cabra, and it was exceptional.

Side note, all of these amazing coffees from northern Europe are making me think I need to make a trip up there at some point.

I was relating to him our plans to visit Italy – specifically Sicily – and he commented that the coffee there in Italy probably wasn`t going to be good. I pointed out that different does not necessarily mean bad, and that I would have said the same about the coffee scene in Paris seven years ago, and look where we are now!

Anyway, superb coffee here at i/o. You ought to go.

Location: 16 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris, France

Instagram: @areperaduplateau

Télescope

I did not realize I was conversing with the owner of Télescope, Nicolas, when asking in broken French about his favorite coffee beans currently available. Only later, upon seeing his photo, did I make the connection that it was the same person who prepared my beverage.

He accepted my inadequate French (I had studied French for seven years during schooling, but had not used it for almost eight years at that point), and while he replied to me in English (which I see as a fault of my own), his passion for coffee was immediately clear as soon as I began inquiring about the types of coffee he had accessible.

Nicolas sources coffees from various roasters that Télescope curates and is eager to sample.

Though it appears there are a couple of coffee roasters that have been staples in his shop for some time now. It’s located down an alleyway a few blocks north of the Louvre in the 1st Arrondissement, and they open early enough for you to stop by before the first entry of the day into the museum.

He was clearly fond of the Norwegian coffee roaster – Supreme Roastworks – and I found a natural process Honduran coffee that excited me, so an Aeropress was made for me using it.

Now, I generally don`t view the Aeropress as a means to bring out the more delicate flavors in a coffee, and I state that MOSTLY because I use one when traveling, and basically have no idea how to operate it. Therefore, the coffees that come out of it when I`m using it are strictly average, I would say.

However, this coffee was like drinking a pineapple. Or maybe a mango? Something fruity and acidic, but not the classic “berry” fruity that I usually associate with a natural process coffee.

There was something both sweet and acidic about the coffee that Nicolas handed me, and I was giddy with excitement (I tried to go back to buy the beans the next day, but found out halfway there that they were closed for the weekend. Next time!).

In addition to the filter coffee options, you can find the standard espresso drinks (espresso, macchiato, flat white, etc.) though I thought it was interesting that they are all named with their French names, versus the Italian names commonly seen.

Location: 5 Rue Villédo, 75001 Paris, France

Instagram: @telescopecafe

Ten Belles

I almost didn’t include Ten Belles (or even bother to stop by) because after conducting some preliminary research, it seemed that the establishment focused more on culinary offerings and brunch rather than coffee production. While I appreciate food and brunch, and their sourdough bread is said to be delicious, as someone with Celiac Disease, it would not suit my needs.

But as we were walking through Saint Germain towards the Jardin du Luxembourg, I realized we were a few short blocks away from their newer outpost in Paris’ 6th, so I decided to stop by. And I’m glad I did.

I received a batch brew filtered coffee from Burundi at the cafe, which the barista briefly spoke about (I could only understand every other word due to the speed of discussion – a welcome experience in Paris!). While somewhat eager to try the coffee itself, I knew batch brewed coffee typically has constrained flavor based on prior experiences. Therefore, I lowered my anticipation, took my to-go cup, and began the walk away from the cafe down the street.”

Then I took my first sip after letting the coffee cool somewhat and an explosion of fruit flavors struck my taste buds resembling berries or peaches.

I was greatly impressed with Ten Belles that I made a return visit, this time to their cafe in the 10th along Canal St. Martin, to procure some beans to take with me on our journey to Italy, where I wasn’t sure how the coffee was going to be.

One feature I appreciate about them is that they provide their whole bean coffee in a little metal container, rather than a bag. Customers pay a Euro for the container, then can return it to reuse next time.”

Regrettably, I was heading to the train station to go to the airport, so I likely won`t be returning in the near future. I got a gesha coffee from Malawi during my travels, which maintains a bright and juicy flavor when prepared in my portable Aeropress without measuring tools, an unpredictable process while on the road.

Locations:

• 53 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, France
• 10 rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010 Paris, France
• 17-19 bis rue Bréguet, 75011 Paris, France

Website: https://www.tenbelles.com/

Instagram: @tenbelles

Fringe Coffee

I truly wish I gave Fringe Coffee more time than I did. There wasn`t much time available, needing to leave the apartment in less than 30 minutes, so a regular coffee to go was purchased instead.

It was only after walking three or four blocks that taking the first sip, which was delightful – delicate and fruity qualities I like in coffee – made me realize I had asked neither what coffee was received nor how it was prepared.

I privately messaged them on Instagram (in imperfect French) to inquire if they knew, but received no response, leaving me without an answer. I recall the coffee tasting excellent, but little else besides (Update: I`m 95% confident it was a natural process Colombian coffee from the Dutch roaster Friedhats, but could have the wrong idea).

They’re a coffee curator, which means they bring in beans from roasters around Europe that they admire.

Fringe is located in the Marais, a few blocks away from the busy area around the Marché des Enfants Rouges. The region is full of higher end shops, trendy restaurants, and, as of a few years ago, excellent specialty coffee thanks to the arrival of Fringe.

The space is part coffee shop, part concept store, which is thanks to the owner’s passion for photography. The walls are adorned with all sorts of different artist’s photographs, and they rotate through different artists based on the owner’s personal tastes.

One aspect about Fringe that I wanted to bring up is the pastries. I have Celiac Disease, which necessitates gluten free exclusively for me, but the aroma of the pastries emerging from the small, open kitchen was outrageous. Both Alysha and I commented on it, observing longingly as the table ahead of us dove into their selection of pastries while we awaited.

Location: 106 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris, France

Website: http://www.fringecoffeeparis.com/

Instagram: @fringecoffeeparis

KB Coffee Roasters

This cafe was our first stop in Paris after arriving the previous night, and I think it has my favorite atmosphere in Paris with its high ceilings, wood accents, and ample seating options.

The windows were wide open on the warm autumn day we found ourselves there. The seating spills out into the square, which features a carousel. For some inexplicable reason, random carousels seem distinctly Parisian in my mind.

KB is among the earliest shops known for specialty coffee in Paris, opening about ten years ago to bring a part of Australian coffee culture – which is excellent – to the 9th Arrondissement of Paris.

One thing I noticed throughout my tour of Parisian coffee shops is the number of places with “no laptops” signs on the tables. KB clearly allows laptops, as the three or four people around us were tapping away at keyboards, sending emails following up after meetings about emails, or something similar.

As coffee roasters, patrons will not find beans sourced from across Europe here. Instead, varieties roasted with perfection from a variety of origins are stocked. Moreover, on-site roasting means prices are generally lower than import-reliant establishments.

If you’re looking to purchase some coffee beans to bring home with you without spending 20 Euros or more for a bag, head to KB. They have a nice selection too, including a delicious naturally processed coffee from Honduras (which, oddly enough, is something I’ve never seen elsewhere before). Gorgeous mugs also available too.

The coffee shop also has a second location near Bastille called Back in Black. I`d say that particular venue emphasizes the food more, though their coffee menu is similar to the original.

Location: 53 Av. Trudaine, 75009 Paris, France

Website: KB Coffee Roasters online page

Instagram: @backinblackcoffee

Lomi Coffee Roasters

I had heard positive reviews of Lomi from my elder brother, an experienced coffee connoisseur who introduced me to specialty coffee years ago in San Francisco. It`s one of his favored spots in Paris, so I was keen to visit.

It’s in a neighborhood that is somewhat off the conventional route regarding tourists, with Gare du Nord to the east and Monrmartre to the west. It’s a fairly small neighborhood called Goutte d’Or, and the most direct means to arrive there is to take the continuously reliable Paris Metro to either Marcadet – Poissonniers (Line 4 or Line 12), or Marx Dormoy (Line 12) from central Paris.

They operate as a coffee roaster, providing an extensive selection of various coffee bean origins, roast types and processing techniques. Their catalog contained so many options that I struggled to choose what I wanted to try, so I opted to leave the choice in the hands of the barista, who is likely more knowledgeable than myself.

In addition to being a roaster, they also have an adjacent coffee school (“the Lomi School”) that is more for educational purposes, where they offer various certifications for coffee professionals, and consumer-level coffee making classes.

They opened their location in 2012, and were at the vanguard of introducing specialty coffee to Paris. Not surprisingly, an Australian named Paul Arnephy (from Melbourne, the finest coffee city in the world no less) is behind Lomi, and he’s still heavily involved in everything related to coffee at Lomi.

Lomi was fairly busy when we stopped in, and there was only a single barista keeping everything running (is there a French phrase that conveys the same meaning?).

Still, the barista was friendly and welcoming, and when I asked about my coffee choices for a filter, he initially inquired about my preference for light or dark roast, then questioned what flavors I was seeking. I replied fruity flavored, so he retrieved a natural Ethiopian coffee and began the brewing process. A few minutes later, the coffee was served!

I’ll be honest, the coffee wasn’t the highest quality I had in Paris. Which is potentially partly due to me ordering a filtered coffee during a busy time with only one barista (I apologize for that, friend!). I would certainly return, though, if that tells you anything, to try more options.

Location: 3 ter Rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, France

Website:This link directs to the official website.

Social Media Profile: @cafelomi

Matamata Coffee

Firstly, they captured my interest by mentioning their origins in New Zealand, a place that holds significance for my partner and I. Additionally, I had an enjoyable conversation with the friendly barista making my coffee – a naturally produced Colombian variety – who originally came from Florida in the United States but now lives in Paris after marrying a French woman.

Matamata is another coffee shop located near our apartment while we stayed in Paris, so one sunny afternoon I left Alysha in the midst of her siesta and went on a little trip to check out the coffee shop that I had frequently heard about as one of the “must visit” places in Paris.

And what do you know? Australia comes up again! One of the co-founders of this cafe, Gérald, was motivated by Australia`s coffee culture. The name comes from another of the founders, Leigh who is wed to the third founder Gaël, who was born in the town of Matamata in New Zealand. The cafe in the heart of Paris` Montorgueil District is a bit of home transported to Paris.

You can get a filtered coffee prepared in three different ways – using a Kalita Wave (my individual favored brewing device), an Aeropress, or a Chemex (my individual least favored brewing device), along with all the standard espresso-based selections.

When I was there, the coffee being offered was from Fève, a small coffee roaster located in Paris. I opted for a natural Colombian coffee as recommended by the barista, and I wasn`t let down by the selection.

While not the finest coffee I had in Paris, it was pleasantly balanced and sweet. I was content sitting outside the cafe on the street, drinking it and watching everyday life go by.

Location: 58 Rue d’Argout, 75002 Paris, France

Website: https://www.matamatacoffee.com/

Instagram: Matamata Coffee on Instagram

Other Coffee Shops That Are on My List

As mentioned above, I couldn’t possibly visit every single cafe in Paris, so naturally a few had to wait for my next trip. Here are those places, along with brief notes on why I’m eager to try them.

• Hexagone: Strangely, I tried to compose a coffee guide for Paris without sampling one of the premier roasters in the city. Whoops. It’s in the 14th, so it was somewhat distant for me, but it’ll be my first stop next time!
• Café du Clown: A referral from the folks at Clove! Another curator, situated in the sixth district, with coffees roasted by artisans like Friedhats and Manhattan, both from the Netherlands.
• Beans on Fire: I was overly stimulated by the time we reached Montmartre one morning, so I ended up bypassing this place. I also really appreciate that they share their equipment with other roasters to make roasting coffee more accessible to more people.

A Map of Our Favorite Coffee Shops in Paris

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Additional Paris Travel Guides

Planning a trip to Paris? Matt, who speaks French at a level deemed “really well for an American” by various French individuals – his most prideful accomplishment in life – loves Paris.

As you start planning your trip, some other detailed guides we’ve created about Paris may prove useful for reference.

Gluten Free Dining in Florence

• Planning a Fantastic 4 Day Paris Itinerary
• A complete guide to eating out safely and easily as a celiac in Paris
• A Coffee Connoisseur`s Guide to Excellent Coffee in Paris
• Closing Time at the Louvre: Our Favorite Accompanied Tour of the Louvre