The Caféothèque of Paris

This café is a real hidden gem. The coffee beans are no joke many of them come from top quality farms in Africa, and you can really taste the difference. The space is filled with plants (real ones, everywhere), and there’s plenty of seating, which makes it perfect for work meetings or remote working. After visiting several museums, I was very selective about where to sit down and rest, and I’m glad I chose this place it didn’t disappoint at all. I’ll definitely be coming back. The owner is also very kind and welcoming, so take a moment to chat with him if you can.

Once of Paris' coffee go tos. Delicious in-house coffee and delicious pasties. Friendly, comfortable and on a sunny day the tables out the front are hard to beat.

We had been here 2 times. 1st time the cappuccino had a very slight bitter taste. Came back for 2nd try and the coffee was still slightly bitter. Plenty of indoor seating as well as outdoor seating.

A cozy café full of character with a vintage charm and riverside terrace. Huge variety of beans, artistic decor, and a warm, welcoming vibe. Feels like stepping into a roastery-meets-gallery. Great spot to relax, read, or chat over a quality cup.

We were about to start our walking tour of South Marais and were in need of some coffee. We knew a student who recommended this hip coffee bar so we visited. The coffee was just perfect, the snacks tasty, the setting hip but a bit tight, the service friendly.

Oh wow…. I just finished drinking my cup of coffee, and the staff took my cup quickly. Oh wow unbelievable service

A great place to have a coffee in Paris near the Cathedral of Notre Dame! I was looking for a nice coffee shop to relax during my travels and I found this place which I loved. It is very comfortable and the service was excellent. They're also there is outside seating on the Terrace. I really like that they had a huge selection of coffees from around the world which you can buy by the kilogram. I had a coffee and a piece of cake and it was lovely. I recommend this coffee shop in Paris.

One of my most memorable afternoons in Paris was spent at The Caféothèque. I sat sketching with a coffee in hand while two musicians played piano nearby, an impromptu soundtrack that made the whole moment feel cinematic. The space hums with creative energy, and though it’s often busy and seating can be tight, it’s absolutely worth the wait. As a travelling Australian with a morning coffee ritual, I found their brews to be reliably excellent. The atmosphere is vibrant yet cosy, perfect for artists, writers, or anyone looking to soak up a bit of Parisian charm. If you're visiting the nearby Cité des Arts, this is the ideal spot to pause, recharge, and let your ideas flow

Service 5/5 Workers are friendly and smiled. Ambiance 5/5 Very old school cafe that has ample indoor seating. They also have outdoor seating. Coffee 4/5 We had come here 2 times. Both times, their cappuccino has a very slight bitter taste. Temperature of cappuccino is perfect.

I've come here multiple times over the years and I keep coming back. Great selection of single origin beans and the espresso shots are pulled well. Will keep returning.

They have excellent coffee drinks! I love the options for seating too; they have 2 or 3 indoor sesting areas and then of course ououtside. The ambience is very rustic coffeehouse. I marked them down one star because twice I asked for "plus chaud" (more hot) and my coffee was served lukewarm. I visited them 3 times on my recent trip to Paris. Good coffee but questionable service.

Quite possibly one of the best coffee shops in the world. They take coffee seriously and the vibes are on point. Went here every day while in Paris. Double espressos for the win.

Lovely little coffee shop a few minutes' walk from Notre Dame. I visited in the summer and stopped for some drinks and quick pastries. They have a diverse coffee selection (from all over the world) and beautifully decorated walls/seating areas. My only complaint is it was a bit too expensive.

Coffee. That's it. Paris has amazing food and good coffee but if you want really great coffee, that's harder to find. Go here. They are verrrrry serious about their coffee here. They roast it themselves, they source it well, and they are expert in their advice. I had a capuccino and a drip coffee, both stellar, and bought a kilo to take home, relying on their advice as to which one to get. A+ coffee. Pretty big place with multiple rooms. Some laptop warriors but mostly, people socializing over a cup. Love it.

My friend and I came here in January during our trip to Paris. The place has a beautiful view of the river and the atmosphere was cozy enough for us to pull out our books to read for over an hour. It does get quite crowded, and on weekdays people can use their laptops and connect to wi-fi so finding a table is difficult; nevertheless, we managed to snag seats at the bar, where you can see the baristas at work. The staff is very friendly too! Their coffee selection is incredibly abundant and the cafe smells wonderful (because of the coffee, naturally). I wish I bought a bag of beans to go! I also tried a fig tart (which I snapped a photo of) and that has officially become my favorite pastry ever, hands down. We loved this place and would 100% come again!

Best espresso drinks in Paris, from what I've had. Also love the atmosphere here - the chill lounge music, the greenery inside, and the croissants are quite good, too. Definitely worth a trip if you're in Paris and in need of a good coffee.

This place purportedly has some of the best coffee in Paris, but you'd be smart to avoid coffee in Paris altogether. My allongé was too bitter and acidic, and I had to add sugar to make it palpable - that's something I only have to do at Starbucks in the US. I took a sip of my boyfriend's almond milk latte and it also tasted very weird. The two drinks together cost about 10 euros. Additionally, service here is painfully slow. They do get some credit for having comfortable seating though.

Super cute café! I came during the day, and tried a latte and a beer. The inside is super cozy with squishy chairs and furniture, and the décor is super homey. It's also super close to the Seine River, so it's a good way to relax after walking along the river! I was always curious about how European coffee is "better" than Canadian coffee, and my drink didn't disappoint. It was rich, not too sweet, and looked beautiful with the latte art. The place was pretty much packed, so it's popular! I would definitely go back to relax with a coffee.

Cute café with lovely strong coffee but it's recommended as a place to study, which it is not. They do not allow computers, as I found out when I sat down to do some work and was told it was not permitted. Honestly a waste of time.

This was the first place I went in search of in Paris for craft/third wave coffee. I love the decoration in the rooms and all of the unique seating. You can learn a lot about coffee from the owners and baristas as well as walking through the back "coffee" decorated room. I got the gourmand as they didnt have a V60 slow pour on the weekends. It had a 'mokamaster' brewed coffee- which was good but I would have really liked to try a slow brew. The gourmand is not small haha- so be prepared to share or eat a lot of dessert. I thought the pieces (3) of dessert would be bite size but it came out as a slice of matcha cake, a small brownie, and a citron cake piece. All wonderful and flavorful- and a lot for your money. Soak in the ambiance, craft coffee, and tasty desserts while overlooking the Seine. And if you want a V60- come back on the weekday

I had read horror stories about how bad the coffee is in Paris. Considering I am just now able to drink it without throwing up (pregnant...don't be like me), I researched where to find good coffee with the intensity of my freshman college self needing all As to keep my scholarship money. This lovely cafe did not disappoint. I had a latte and it was coffee perfection. Not too much milk. Just hot enough. Coffee that wasn't burned to high heaven. My husband had an espresso machiatto and also raved about its tiny self. If you are lucky enough to be there on a morning where there are croissants, order them. The pain au chocolat will go down as the best one I have ever had. Also, free wifi. Slow clap. This place was so good we returned the next morning. Take my Yelp review for it, and go here for the coffee and enjoy each drop.

Looking for a good latte Coffee - 3 stars. We had asked for an extra shot which was a mistake as it made the coffee too strong & threw the milk to coffee ratio off. Next time, stick w/ the regular 2-shot & you'll be fine Croissants - 5 stars. We had a Plain & a Chocolate & each were delish. The chocholate was a little more breaddy than the plain which was crispy & flaky & had an abundance of butter flavor but both were still incredibly delish Inside the place is nice w/ a few different rooms w/ couches, tables, or a bar-like area that serves the coffee drinks....so you can pick what kind of setting for whatever mood you're in For an overall average of 4 stars

One thing I find comical about life in Paris, as an American, is that people love to talk to me about how bad American coffee is. (Don't even get my started on American beer misperceptions...) I am also almost certain that half of the people who make the comment have never been to the States and just use it as an icebreaker. ("Hi nice to meet you, I understand your country makes terrible coffee...") In any case, I have no problem admitting that Dunkin' Donuts coffee is awful and that most "typical" (i.e. crappy) diners serve stale muddy water that may or may not contain some traces of burnt coffee.... However, coffee in Paris is not that great. Ok, they often grind the grains in front of you when you order in a bar or if you get your coffee from an automatic machine, you can hear grinding noises inside that make you think your coffee will be "fresh". This, in most cases, is a marketing ploy and a deception. Most cafes get their coffee from a mass-distributor like "Cafes Richard" (if you are lucky) or a crappier one. This means it is produced in gross and that there is likely little attention to the roasting of the coffee grains, their origin, the "fairness" of the trade involved, and most importantly the taste. Just because the coffee is not watery, does not mean it is good....Sorry Parisians. The Italians make the best coffee. BUT...Good American coffee bars make great coffee and are EASIER to come across that their French cousins. I was home visiting family in the US and enjoying a GREAT coffee in Washington, DC. There I made the comment that it is nearly impossible to find an authentic cappuccino in Paris (the drink most places call a cappuccino is not one - they put chocolate powder on it). In any case, I was swiftly advised to go to La Caféothèque. This place is awesome and they roast their own coffee. It used to be really small so if you were there when they were roasting it could get a little smokey. However, they expanded recently and have a lot of space to hang out, study, etc. and there are two bars to order drinks and one to order coffee beans (whole or ground to your specifications). One cool fact that I learned is the owner apparently negotiates directly with small producers to get his stock and thus the trade is more fair than "fair trade" because he cuts out the middle man and pays the farmers more than is considered "fair". It would appear that smaller producers like the ones they go to often cannot afford to get certified. Anyways, long story short, they make a great cappuccino (or however you like your Joe for that matter: espresso, drip, iced, how ever you want!). I buy my coffee there regularly and the cool thing is that you can try the coffee you want before you purchase. They have an extensive menu and they can help you arrive at a coffee that is right for you. I have other sources for good coffee in the city but this place is my #1.

The absolute best coffee during our Paris stay - hands down. Most folks don't know - but Paris actually doesn't have good coffee. It's *burnt and overall pretty bad (admitted by even Parisians and chefs). However over the past few years there has apparently been an emerging coffee scene - where beans from s America, Africa, Asia ... Are now used. I ordered the Filtre V60 and chose Ethiopian beans. Spouse had a cafe latte and also chose Ethiopian beans. Both were SO good. I liked the Filtre V60 better. My senses screamed "finally" (I'm a bit of a coffee addict, need it every day but I'm very particular). If I'm ever back in that area of Paris (le marais, les Halles...) I know where to go for my fix. *bad coffee is actually endemic to most of Europe in my opinion. It doesn't matter which country - it's always so strangely disappointing. Why?

What a wonderful, quaint coffee shop. It was a rainy afternoon in Paris and our French friend took us to her favorite study/hangout spot. The barista can come to your table, or if it's busy, you should go up to the counter to order. I ordered a latte. It had a nice froth on top and comes with Michel Cluizel chocolate. It's so cozy you can touch the people at the table next to you, but it was just such a great experience. The place has an organic and rustic feel; the atmosphere is none like I've had before. You just have to go there. Sorry, but it puts Starbucks to shame. Just sayin.

I first heard of La Caféothèque from the New York Times article http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/ristretto-why-is-coffee-in-paris-so-bad/?pagewanted=all about the low quality of coffee in Paris ("Why does the coffee in Paris suck so bad?"). After downing some truly nasty drink in Lausanne, Montpellier and Paris, I was ready for the big action. I was in no way disappointed. Sipping my macchiato was a great pleasure. Maybe my coffee wasn't as good as those at your local Intelligentsia or Blue Bottle, but it was head and shoulders above the normal Paris fare. I left with a 250 gram bag of the coffee of the day, which is from Burundi. I look forward to drinking that coffee with breakfast tomorrow. La Caféothèque's prices for espresso drinks are high relative to those at comparable US places; for example, consuming a cap on site will set you back 5 euros. On the other hand, the prices for coffee beans are perfectly in line with those in the US. The Caféothèque has a "yelp nous aime" sticker on the door. It's well deserved.

Located near the Seine, La Caféothèque de Paris is a great place for a coffee in an arty environment with a lovely and knowledgable barista. On holiday in Paris, La Caféothèque de Paris was my first stop for a coffee after walking along the beautiful Promenade Plantée for an hour or so. The coffee shop is located just off the bank of the river Seine and only a short walk away from Notre Dame or Bastille. Walking in, I was greeted by a roasting machine and a wide selection of coffee offered for retail. To order a coffee, I had to negotiate my way to the bar, but it was not hard to find. La Caféothèque de Paris has a few rooms, all dominated by wood, I think. I was sitting in a comfy little arm chair and looked at interesting paintings on all the walls. The atmosphere in this particular room was very relaxed and it was a pleasure to spend some time in there. And important especially for tourists, they do offer free wifi. It is limited to one hour, so if you're hanging around longer, you should probably ask the barista for another login. When ordering a flat white, I briefly talked to the lovely barista. Turns out, he used to work at a small coffee chain in London - incidentally I started my morning with a coffee at their King's Cross branch. Crazy, how small the world sometimes appears to be. He quickly recommended me another Paris coffee shop I did not yet have on my list - that's true customer service! He made me an excellent flat white that was second go none you get in London. It looked beautiful and tasted great. Unfortunately, they don't do fresh juices. So, after the coffee, he suggested a cold and refreshing hibiscus brew. It had a strong red colour and was a really nice drink for a beautiful summer day. The background music also made me smile, be it the Friends theme tune, "I'll be there for you" by The Rembrandts, or the nineties classic "Lemontree" by Fool's Garden. A fun selection that I don't really get tired of - although I wouldn't want to listen to those songs all the time. All in all, if you like coffee, La Caféothèque de Paris is a place you should definitely visit.

No wifi. Great selection of coffee (to sit and drink or buy the beans). Passionate owner who seems to have explored South America for his beans. Come and sit and stay awhile!

It wasn't the best cappuccino I've ever had. Pretty average and too expensive for the price if you ask me. HOWEVER, I do really like how cozy, warm & casual the cafe environment is. Warm, plants everywhere, friendly staff who speak English. Good place if you would like to just read a book, hangout with your friends or ponder life. No wifi so doing anything productive is out of the question.

A spacious and beautifully located coffee shop. The coffee is strong and you can read more about our review on insta @coffeecopsparis #coffeecopsparis

They have soy milk! Very cute cafe, perfect for visiting folks who take their coffee seriously. They also serve breakfast and lunch sets.

yes 5 euro for a cappuccino is steep, but this is a super cool american style "coffee house" because you really feel warm and comfortable here with the kitsch decor and pungent smell of high quality coffee beans :) I hear lots of international languages here, as well as french. i actually come here quite frequently to linger over a delicious caffeinated beverage and work on my french homework :) it gets pretty busy around 4/5p but in the mornings its chill. they have some passteries and a pretty extensive drink list if you ask for the menu, but i always stick with a cappuccino or double espresso. They also have to go coffee!

Great café crème. Cute cozy area to hang out. Free wifi. Great view of the hustle and bustle of Paris from the window. Friendly staff. They have an area to purchase coffee beans or coffee drinks. Very hipster. Great spot to relax!

Pretty cool artsy cafe. Great seating and nice place to get a coffee and relax a little. They were filming a documentary on a few scratch artists while we were there and one of the artists drew us! Pretty cool experience. Lots of coffee variety. You will not be disappointed.

Perfect place for coffee lovers! I haven't been here since December 2012 which a pity for me since I live in Paris. Yesterday after coming back here again I remembered how I loved this place. Coffee is excellent, to satisfy any taste preferences, staff is very friendly and helpful, and cheesecake is (oommgg) soooo good! It is not a fast/take-away/quick type of venue. You have to take time and enjoy your drink!

We were told to leave!!! I got a coffee to go, but I saw the tables outside so I asked politely if I could sit outside with my coffee to go and this is how the guy said it, "we are not Starbucks. If you get a take away, you have to take it away and you can't sit outside at our tables." What the hell!! He didn't even say sorry about that. I understood if that's their policy, but to say that to your customer, hell that's so rude regardless we're American tourist who usually get Starbucks in a cup to go but sit in the store!!! It's so sad that I won't be going back there. Their coffee is soooo good!! The best I've ever had tho. Very creamy without any extra cream added.

Caféothèque has had a big role in helping to kickstart the coffee scene in Paris. It stocks and roasts coffee from 31 different countries. The baristas are experienced and serve great coffee. The lounge is decorated like a comfy living room, with customers quietly reading - books rather than Kindles; it's that kind of place. Also, a gallery space hosts art exhibitions.

Probably the most delicious cappuccino ever, can't wait to come back!

I just stopped in quickly for breakfast. Total waste of money. They were out of croissants and chai tea. I got a piece of lemon pound cake (standard - not homemade) and a pot of black tea and it was the nastiest tea I've ever had. I don't even know how to describe it. You're probably thinking "how bad could tea be?" Apparently disgusting. It tasted like it was brewed in a coffee maker that had been washed with some kind of cleaning fluid. Needless to say I only took 1 sip. Service had taken so long (25 minutes to brew some nasty tea) so I didn't even have time to send it back. Bad start to my day. When you're in Paris don't waste a single meal! Do not go here

If you are a coffee connoisseur or if you are just someone who enjoys the taste of coffee, you've got to try it! The place is not particularly fancy though it has that typical atmosphere of the French capital city. But the coffee will blow your mind (literally if you are sensitive to caffeine). They have a wide collection from all across the world and to prevent a long moment of hesitation from the client, they would suggest two different types of coffee every day. After that, you can choose how you want it, espresso, latte, Americano etc... It is a good way to try the taste of so many countries in just one place.

Great little cafe with 3 distinct sections that have their own styles and vibes. I went on a Sunday so they were quite busy and quite slow. They also messed up my coffee order but the owner corrected the error and gave me some petite desserts to enjoy! I will definitely be back anytime I visit Paris.

We came to Paris thinking that the espresso would be great everywhere. That is not the case. If you're used to getting freshly roasted beans and grinding them, or going to a cafe that does that, then you want to go to The Caféothèque of Paris. The moment you walk in you are inundated with the smells of roasting coffee beans and.... I just lost my train of thought. Oh. It's kind of a bohemian place with tables in nooks and crannies. It feels like an escape from the city. It took awhile for our order to be taken but this is Europe and people are much more relaxed here.

Simply the business as far as coffee is concerned in Paris, and the pioneer of the third wave coffee movement in Paris since 2005. Why? °SINGLE ORIGIN ONLY °La Marzocco FB80 3-group plus a baby GS3 °Mazzer grinders x 2 °Properly trained baristas Gloria, who runs the place with her hubby Bernard is the Godmother of coffee in France and has been a WBC judge. Cafés like this where they roast on site are the future - and they started 5 years ago !

Cue the angel chorus. After almost two years of living in France, I finally found a café that stole my heart, my taste buds, and my wallet. Alright. I DID have to reassure the barista that a chai latte with an added shot of espresso IS a thing, and that YES, it is delicious, but what's life without a little struggle? If I lived in Paris, THIS is where I would spend all my time - studying, meeting up with friends, reading, etc. There is plenty of space to be alone OR with others, wifi, comfy chairs and couches, wall plugs, and did I mention the drinks are lovely? My dirty chai tea latte was one of the best I've ever had. I didn't even mind paying inflated Paris prices.

Lovely place, great environment. Also, PACKED & NO WI-FI. This multi-leveled coffee shop is beautiful, it has themed rooms and a very homey, rustic, classy former-hipster-who-has-kids-and-a-job feel. You have to order in one place, pay in another, and tell them where you're sitting (if you are fortunate enough to find a seat) so they can bring it to you. The coffee is soo delicious. The cheesecake is the best I've had in Paris so far (that's saying a lot). The guys working there are all very friendly, good-looking, playful (explain in a second), and helpful. There is a room up the stairs and to the right. A magical room. But there are no laptops allowed. My friend was typing away on her Mac, and the waiter asked us to leave: we didn't see the sign that said no computers. Whoops! The rest of the guys were joking around with us and being extra nice (free pastries and sushi, random, I know) to make up for it I think. Great place to study. Very relaxed vibe. Major downside is the lack of wi-fi - or else I'd be here all the time.

An awesome cafe in Paris. It's definitely one of the top espresso stops in a country where espresso is ubiquitous, but almost never great. They roast on site, and they are one of two cafes that use a Strada from La Marzocco. The barista was quite pleasant, and knowledgable about coffees. The location is absolutely wonderful as well. The espresso is full bodied, and quite tasty. The drink was a touch hot, but the texture was great. The art was also quite nice. I would definitely come back.

It's not enough that this has a lovely view of Notre Dame outside the windows that front the shop. It's not enough that they have dozens of kinds of coffee from all over the world. It's also cozy, with great food, and great service. You don't have to be a coffee snob to enjoy this place, but if you are one, you will love it.

Historically I really liked La Cafeotheque. It was the first solid coffee shop in Paris making American-esque "Artisinal" coffee. The space was small, the decor was great, and the staff very friendly. Sadly, that description no longer applies. The business has recently taken over the building next door, more than doubling their size. This has had some negative impacts on the business. First, prices have gone up. A cafe latte (sur place, not to go) costs 5 euros. This is a bit excessive in my mind. Competitive quality coffee shops in town only cost 4 euro or less. In addition, most of their coffees range from 9 - 13 euro for 250 grams. It is the case that the owner has connections to great coffee plantations throughout S. and C. America, but equally good coffee at Coutume usually ranges 6-9 euro. Second, the service has gone down. When I arrived on Saturday, the cafe was not too busy, maybe at 1/2 capacity. A guy came buy right when we arrived to bus our table, and I mentioned that we had not yet ordered. He never returned. After about 10 minutes a guy brought our menus. He only returned about 15 min later to take our order. Every 15 minutes or so I went to check on our order. After the third visit (45 minutes waiting), I realized we were not getting our drinks. Low-and-behold, the barista who took our order was outside chatting up girls (after chatting up girls inside) and never actually made our drinks, so we left. Though it's way out of the way for me, I think I'll take my business to Coutume in the future, for better prices and better service.

This place is so adorable and the coffee is simply delicious. I was looking for a place that offered their own roasted beans and voila La Caféothèque came up. So want a Parisian coffee shop with plenty od instagramable opportunities? Come here. Want a good cup of coffee come here. Want to buy locally roasted beans as souvenirs? Come here!

Finally a coffee place I don't have to be ashamed of as a French guy who lived in the States 7 years and knows that 99% of French cafés sell crappy coffee that leaves American, Australian and Italian tourists puzzled about the so-called "country of the cafés". Nice atmosphere, good service, awesome coffee. They also have baked goods (savoury and sweet). Of course, prices are high but you get what you pay for.

Probably the best coffee we had while in Paris but the overall experience was just eh. The set up was weird, where the door to walk in was at what seemed like the back of the restaurant. We weren't sure what room we were supposed to sit in, if we were supposed to order at the counter or wait for someone to come to us, or what food they served. They had one menu they were passing between a few tables so we just decided to drink our coffee and go find food somewhere else.

Very friendly service here for this American coffee nerd in Paris. They (apparently, despite the presence of two V60s on the shelf) only do espresso drinks, so no pour-over/filter coffees here. However, the espresso (from Guatemala but I don't remember the precise origin) was tasty. The Guatemalan was roasted a little darker than I'm used to, but the whole beans that I brought home were roasted with a light touch (a very fruity Ethiopian Harar dry process and a Finca Don Jimenez from the DR). They were only serving the Guatemalan when I visited, so I didn't get to compare at the store. The beans that I brought home are making some excellent coffee. The location isn't bad either, so if your S.O./traveling partner doesn't care about coffee, you still might be able to fool them into coming here on the way to Notre Dame or a stroll on the Seine. I had a lot of coffee in my brief visit to Paris, but this was the best.

Nice coffee shop,with good location,excellent service and atmosphere,espresso,filter coffee were delicious,free WiFi,they roast the coffee beans

This place tries - coffee was good (but not the best I've had in Paris) and atmosphere was relaxed, composed mainly of old couches reminiscent of Stateside coffeehouses of old. Location is a bit neither here nor there so one has to make the trip over or at least plan to walk by. La Cafeotheque built a bit of a name for itself since it helped bring back better coffee to Paris and held coffee tastings. With new places having opened, it's a bit passe but still up there.

Listen. We've been in Paris for over a week and I thank the yelp gods that husband found this place! Before our first visit, we were constantly let down. This wasn't the first boutique coffee shop with rustic interior we tried, mind you. There was a lesser place in Bastille. It's DELICIOUS COFFEE. We got the daily selection last time, which was a Guatemalan. Today, we went with the Ethiopian. Hasn't arrived yet, but I'm sure it will be in the same beveled Japanese glass carafe pour deux and my mouth is WATERING! There's more than just the front sitting room, which also serves to be a type of gallery. Seems like the art work is different than last time, which was technically in April. We are frightened it may be closed, as it's May 1, but it's not!! It's extremely packed, though. We couldn't be seated immediately, but the wait wasn't long at all. The server is kind and speaking English, as our French sucks. Do yourself a favor and make the trip, especially if you plan on visiting Nortre Dame. It's an easy walk.

Yep. Bragging again :-) Shona found a blog about "real coffee in Paris" - and when we were there we went and visited two of the places on the list as "the best". This certainly lived up to the hype. Small, really funky and homemade style vibe to the place, but clearly a temple of coffee, where they roast their own, they grind to order, and there's feck-all to eat (cheesecake or cupcakes served with coffee). What there is though, is 50+ varieties of coffee, served in all the nerd-tastic ways you could ever wish to try, complete with a degustation tasting of coffee if you really want to geek out. Excellent.

After our first visit, La Cafeotheque became a destination stop for us. We've visited it before and after they expanded it. Although the rooms they added on are really nice, the one with all the greenery is especially interesting, I liked the charm of its smaller digs. There's a roaster and tables in the front, but continuing on in towards the back is when it gets interesting. The coffee bar is back there where they're turning out their creations, all artfully designed. There are signs and plaques all around, displaying coffee from around the world. The coffee was very good, and they said we wouldn't be able to find good coffee in France! We were here during a very cold spell one year, and the hot chocolate was particularly enticing! If you love coffeehouses, make it point to visit. It's alongside the Seine, in the 4th, and there's plenty to see. I totally recommend the 69 bus, and it makes several stops nearby.