The 7 Iconic Paris Cafés You Cannot Miss

Café de Flor
Photo:

Ellen Rooney / Alamy Stock Photo

Few other cities can match the café culture of Paris. Synonymous with ornate interiors and sprawling terraces, the city’s rich café history blossomed in the late-19th century, when writers, philosophers, and creatives would spend hours discussing any and all topics in Paris’ largest coffee shops. Years later, the city remains fueled by its strong café identity. Although new coffee shops continue to make their way onto the scene, the classics remain the classics for a reason, and they most certainly merit a visit during your trip to Paris. Fair warning, they may not offer you the best coffee of your life — and you’ll certainly pay a hefty price for it — but for the sake of connecting with the city’s rich creative past, it’s absolutely worth it. Check out these iconic Parisian cafés to visit on your next trip to the City of Lights.

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La Palette

La Palette

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For classic Parisian café vibes with good food and excellent people watching, look no further than La Palette. Situated in the Saint-Germain area of Paris, this historic café was a regular favorite of Picasso himself, as well as a number of A-list celebrities today. Despite its fame, La Palette has lost zero of its old-school charm. Expect solid bistro food and ample outdoor seating with a whole lot of character to boot. Even Anthony Bourdain was known to love a jaunt to this long-standing Left Bank gem. 43 Rue de Seine, 75006

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Les Deux Magots

Les Deux Magots

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When searching for iconic Parisian cafés, Les Deux Magots may just be the most famous of them all. Located in the Saint-Germain area of the city, this historic café first opened its doors in 1885 and welcomed the likes of philosophers Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, as well as James Joyce, Albert Camus, and other talented creatives — so much so, that the café even created its own literary prize, which has been awarded to new French writers for nearly 100 years. Expect massive coffees (at an equally massive price) and an unforgettable ambiance. We recommended sticking to classic espresso or allongé to keep the bill at bay. 6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006

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Le Procope

Le Procope

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Deemed Paris’ oldest café, Le Precope’s impressive roots date back to 1686, when Sicilian chef Procopio Cutò first founded the establishment. While other classic cafés are best known for hosting the likes of Fitzgerald and Hemingway, this epic institution’s seats have been occupied by Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, and even Thomas Jefferson. The café’s set lunch menu still clocks in at just around 20 euros, which for a tourist-forward establishment, is quite the steal in the City of Lights. Grab a banquet seat alongside one of the joint’s bright red-hued walls and enjoy a blast to the past. 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, 75006

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Le Consulat

Le Consulat

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Out of all of Paris’ classic cafés, Le Consulat may just be the most charming. Contrary to the sprawling terraces and neon lights of those found on Boulevard Montparnasse, Le Consulat’s cozy, pocket-sized interior can cram a handful of tables in at a time, and its small-yet-charming terrace holds not many more. Beloved by Van Gogh, Monet, and other artists alike, this Insta-worthy spot is perfect for grabbing a cup of coffee and fulfilling all of your cobblestoned street, people-watching dreams — though we recommend going early on weekdays for the most comfortable experience. (Bonus: It’s also been said that Le Consulat is home to one of the city’s best steak frites; we’ll let you be the judge of that.) 18 Rue Norvins, 75018

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Le Select

Le Select

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Along with neighboring Le Dôme, La Rotonde, and La Coupole, Le Select is one of a number of iconic cafés located on Boulevard Montparnasse. Known for its neon-lit sign and massive outdoor terrace, this long-standing institution (along with its neighbors) was once a haven of intellectual conversation for F. Scott Fitzgerland, Picasso, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ernest Hemingway, the latter of whom lived around the corner and dubbed the café the “soul of Montparnasse.” Expect mediocre bites and overpriced coffees, but for the history and people watching, it’s totally worth the expense. 99 Bd du Montparnasse, 75006

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Café de Flore

Café de Flor

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Situated directly across the street from Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore has equally deep roots in the Saint-Germain neighborhood. Established in 1887, this famous meeting spot was equally adored by Sartre and de Beauvoir, as well as other philosophers, existentialists, and surrealists alike. However, story has it that it was actually the café’s interior heater — not the tasty coffee — that kept de Beauvoir coming back for more; even Sartre deemed the Café de Flore to be where the couple felt most at home away from home. This legendary spot is still considered to be a rival of Les Deux Magots. 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006

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La Fontaine de Belleville

Most Iconic Cafés in Paris

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While La Fontaine de Belleville may not have the history of the cafés listed above, its 1920s-inspired ambiance and show-stopping brews promise to captivate any coffee lover’s heart. Located in Paris’ 10th arrondissement, this locally beloved café boasts large mirrors, gorgeous artwork, and ample rattan chairs — both indoors and outdoors — as well as live jazz on the weekends and great food. All products at La Fontaine de Belleville are locally sourced, with the spot’s excellent coffee coming from the nearby Belleville Brûlerie. While perhaps not a classic yet, this café definitely has a long, history-making future ahead of itself. 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010

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