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When you think of Paris, it’s usually the croissants, wine, cheese you think of; not coffee. That’s because this city was traditionally renowned for its weak and sour espresso, however, that has slowly but surely been changing, thanks to specialist baristas bringing new wave to the Paris coffee scene. Being a huge coffee lover, I don’t remember the last time I started my day without coffee, and I had to keep that tradition going in Paris. That being said, after visits to countless cafes here, I have come to discover some great spots to caffeinate, which I am now able to call my go-to favorites.

So, here are my tried-and-true, top 10 favorite cafes in Paris:

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BOOT CAFE

This tiny hole-in-the-wall café in Le Marais serves quality coffee and heavenly pastries. Once a ‘cordonnerie (shoemaker)’, Boot Café kept its original façade, which now has become an Instagrammable storefront. Inside, you will find three tables and a few chairs, but this is just the perfect place to drop in, chat with the baristas (who make the effort to know you by your name and your drink of choice if you’re a regular), and get your coffee-to-go. P.S. They recently opened a second (bigger) location in Saint-Germaine, but this quaint location remains my favorite.

Address: 19 Rue du Pont au Choux, 75003
Hours: M-S 10am-6pm

(@bootcafe)

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OB-LA-DI

Come for the blue & white cement tiles and the marble tables, and stay for the delicious coffee and breakfast. Also located in Le Marais, Ob-La-Di is a happy place that certainly makes you want to sing along to the song. The space is small, but it has ‘adorable’ written all over it. I highly suggest you to try their avocado toast served with pomegranate seeds on top, and granola with fresh fruits, but you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.

Address: 54 Rue de Saintonge, 75003
Hours: W-F 8am-5pm, S-S 9am-6pm, Mon/Tue off.

(@obladicafe)

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CAFÉ KITSUNE

A favorite amongst many, Café Kitsune is a small standup coffee bar located in Palais Royale. Their latte is perfect – not too milky, not too strong, and its taste and quality has always been consistent, which is something that can be quite challenging to obtain. They have a nice outside sitting area, where you can enjoy your coffee and people watch, or you can take your coffee-to-go, on a stroll around the Jardin du Palais Royale, which is my absolute favorite thing to do on a sunny day, or any given day for that matter.

Address: 51 Galerie Montpensier, 75001
Hours: M-F 10am-6pm, S-S 10am-6:30pm

(@cafekitsune)

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COUTUME

 Coutume is definitely my go-to whenever I am in need of a caffeine fix in Saint-Germaine. Take a seat on the stools by the bar to observe the coffee preparation process. The baristas here are really knowledgeable, and your coffee will be provided just the way you like it, as they can be prepared in your choice of any brewing method. They also have a nice selection of bites, sweets, and an extensive brunch menu. P.S. How cute is the Erlenmeyer flask?

Address: 47 Rue de Babylone, 75007
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5:30pm, S-S 9am-6pm

(@coutumecafe)

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PASSAGER

 A new favorite of mine, Passager was love at first sight. It’s not very well known yet (which is how I wish it could be kept) and a little out of the way (located just east of Bastille), but this place has that allure and atmosphere that simply cannot be beat. Service can be slow, tables can be too close to each other, but the lovely ambiance, great coffee, and tasty scones sure make up for it.

Address: 107 Avenue Ledru-Rollin, 75011
Hours: T-S 8:30am-6:30pm Sun/Mon off.

(@passager_cafe)

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TÉLESCOPE

 Tucked away on quiet Rue Villedo, Telescope is a café with an impeccably curated coffee brewed by passionate baristas. The coffee menu is in fact very precise, but that’s just another indication that they pour their heart and soul into the cup, preparing with high-quality brew ingredients and specialist equipment (which they also steam eggs with – called ‘eggspresso’ – give it a try!) It’s no wonder they have a steady stream of regulars and this place is always packed, no matter what time of the day it is.

Address: 5 Rue Villedo, 75001
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm, S 9:30am-6pm, Sun off.

(@telescopecafe)

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FRAGMENTS

 The problem with Fragments is that once I step inside, I never want to leave. The rustic interior certainly gives off the coziest and homey vibes, so don’t blame me if you end up spending hours here! Coffee is great, but what keeps me going back is the delicious breakfast dishes like homemade granola + yogurt, ricotta toast, and of course the avocado toast (sans oignons!)

Address: 76 Rue des Tournelles, 75003
Hours: M-F 8am-6pm, S-S 10am-6pm

(@fragmentsparis)

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STRADA CAFE

Anglo-friendly and laptop-friendly, Strada offers probably one of the best cappuccinos and service in town. I love the generous amount of coffee here, evident from the size of the cup in the photo. They also have a location in the convenient Le Marais, but this one in Monge is my personal favorite because of their cute blue storefront, of course.

Address: 24 Rue Monge, 75005
Hours: M-F 8am-6:30pm, S-S 10am-6:30pm

(@strada_cafe)

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THE BROKEN ARM

 This concept store-cum-café is situated in the quiet corner near Square du Temple, and is the epitome of ‘French Chic.’ There is so much beautiful natural lighting here thanks to the tall big windows, and it is just the perfect place to drop in during an afternoon for a quick coffee break, with a side of their killer citron cake! After your coffee, head over to the store adjacent and have a browse through the carefully curated selection of items.

Address: 12 Rue Perree, 75003
Hours: T-S 9am-6pm, Sun/Mon off.

(@thebrokenarm)

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TEN BELLES

 Located just off of Canal Saint-Martin, Ten Belles was one of the cafes I visited during my first trip to Paris years ago, and remains a true favorite until today. Inside is tiny and usually cramped, but the delicious café crème and sausage rolls (yes, sausage rolls) will make you want to come back for more.

Address: 10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010
Hours: M-F 8am-5pm, S-S 9am-6pm

(@tenbelles)

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TIPS

* DO try to order in French! Even if your French isn’t good, they will appreciate that you are making the effort. (It’s really simple: Un latte, s’il vous plait / Je voudrais un latte)

* DON’T ask for the wifi password! (Well, at least not right away). I understand that sometimes you might need a quick search, but I found some cafes take pride in their concept of no wifi.

* DO always bring cash with you! Most places are privately-owned independent businesses, and many of them do not accept credit cards. Even if they do, sometimes they only accept when the total is over €20, or the machine may be broken. (This happened to me quite a lot)

* DON’T be afraid to ask questions! The baristas are really knowledgeable and passionate about coffee, and you’ll be surprised by how willing they are to answer any questions, whether it’s regarding the beans, brewing/preparation methods, etc. or just to chat!

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