Enough has been said already in various books, documentaries and films about café culture in Paris. It is as important or integral to the local culture as its famous history, cuisine, fashion or wine.
Therefore, you cannot experience France, especially Paris, without sitting in one of the charming cafés, treating yourself to great coffee and French food made with intricate care.
Now Paris seems to have multiple cafés on every block, each inviting with both indoor and charming outdoor seating. It is quite honestly impossible to shortlist the best out of the best out of so many.
However, so that you have a good starting point, I have tried listing a few that either have a rich history or their menu and décor is quintessentially French. These cafés are the ones that you must try if you want that full French experience while in Paris.
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My recommended Must-Try Parisian Cafes for the full French experience
Le Procope
If history is what attracts you, then you have to visit Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris.
Le Procope opened it doors first in 1686. As you can imagine, operating since so long it has been in the forefront of developing the café culture in Paris. The original café has gone through a few changes since its inception but even today, it maintains its historical ambience and proud French cuisine.
Located in Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, Le Procope is a popular brasserie with tourists and locals alike. The menu boasts of the best of French cuisine and a reservation is highly recommended before visiting the place.
Timings: Le Procope is open on all days from 12 noon to 12 midnight.
Location and address: 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris, France
Café de la Paix
Great location and a superb historical ambience, Café de la Paix is an incredibly popular café that truly provides the full French experience tourists crave for. It opened its doors in 1862, making it one of the oldest running cafés in Paris.
Its décor is supposed to have been designed in the Napolean III style and its interiors do look quite grand, exactly what we expect from a famous Parisian café.
Café de la Paix is located within the Grand-Hotel and given its rich history, upscale patrons and what it means to the city’s café culture, it does command higher pricing than usual. However, it feels worth the cost and you could always just step in for a quick coffee and delectable French dessert in the evening.
Timings: Café de la Paix is open from 8 am to 11 pm from Sunday to Thursday and 8 am to 11.30 pm on Friday and Saturdays.
Location and address: 5 Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
Café de Flore
Café de Flore is another immensely popular café in Paris that has been around for a really long time.
Over the years, Café de Flore has gained the reputation of serving famous patrons and is a must-try place when in the city.
It is located in a popular touristy area and is quite a busy café all day long. You will find Café de Flore topping many lists of the most charming cafés in Paris. Both the indoor and outdoor seating gives a great view of the street outside that is full of life.
Café de Flore is the kind of café that you see in movies that make you want to visit Paris as soon as possible.
Timings: Café de Flore is open on all days from 7.30 am to 1.30 am
Location and address: 172 boulevard Saint Germain, 75006 Paris, France
Cafe de la Rotonde
Cafe de la Rotonde has been around since 1911 and is a full service restaurant plus brasserie.
The café is now known as La Rotonde Montparnasse and has a perfect location at Place de Picasso. With a great corner positioning, Cafe de la Rotonde allows you to sit admiring the charming streets of Paris, monuments and sculptures while gorging on the best of French cuisine.
Another interesting historical fact about Cafe de la Rotonde is that Pablo Picasso is said to have visited the café quite often around the year 1914.
Timings: Cafe de la Rotonde is open on all days from 7.30 am to 1 am
Location and address: 105 boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France
Jozi Café
Jozi Café is all about the taste, service and vibe. This is one of the highest rated cafés anywhere in Paris at the moment.
Many of the famous cafés of Paris run on its past glory and rich history. However, Jozi Café is completely different. This is a modern, relatively smaller café with fantastic food and even better service.
I find it interesting that Jozi Café apart from the brilliant French cuisine that it serves, boasts of a hint of South Africa while being located in a Latin area of Paris.
This is where I would sit with a beautifully aromatic cup of coffee, avocado toast and superb French Pastry.
Timings: Jozi Café is open 8 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 5.30 pm on Saturday and Sundays.
Location and address: 3 rue Valette, 75005 Paris, France
Odette Paris
If you want the best of French pastries and desserts in a super charming setting, then Odette Paris is for you.
The best part, you could be sipping on coffee and indulging in delectable choux pastries with a great view of the Notre Dame. What more do you want when in Paris?
Thanks to the view, outdoor seating is a popular choice at Odette. In general, this place is a favourite with both locals and tourists considering its brilliant French cuisine, superb desserts and friendly service.
Timings: Odette Paris is open from 2 pm to 7.30 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am to 7.30 pm on Saturday and Sundays.
Location and address: 77 rue Galande, 75005 Paris, France
Les Deux Magots
Finally to end our list, another historical café in Paris that has been operational since 1884.
Located at the popular Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, Les Deux Magots has been on the best cafés in Paris list for a really long time. It has become a must-try place for tourists that want the French flair while dining in the city.
An interesting historical fact about Les Deux Magots is that it was once a place that was frequented by the best of literary elite in France. Even today, it is known as the literary café hosting an annual Les Deux Magots literary prize since 1933.
Les Deux Magots has been featured several times in various novels, artwork and films in France.
Timings: Les Deux Magots is open from 7.30 am to 12 am on all days.
Location and address: 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France
What you need to know about cafés in Paris
Pretty much all cafés in Paris are full service restaurants and expect a reservation before you arrive. Please do not be disappointed if you simply show up and are not provided a table even if there are seats available.
Cafés in Paris are not just about the coffee and pastries. They offer comprehensive menus specializing in French cuisine.
Most tourists believe they can just sit at a café for hours sipping on coffee admiring the life in Paris passing by. You should know in reality you cannot do that during busy lunch or dinner service. Servers in Paris are quite direct and they will ask you to order a meal or leave during busy hours.
If you simply want a coffee and a dessert, ideally you should visit early evening or late at night. Having said that, cafés in Paris are an experience that you cannot miss if you want to get a feel of Parisian culture and the famous French flair.
