A Journey Through Parisian Coffee Culture: The Art of Café-Hopping

Paris didn’t invent coffee houses. But in no other city has café culture come to embody so much, from Left-Bank intellectualism to the romance of the Impressionists, the glory of the Belle Époque and the revolutionary spirit of the 1960s. 

Although modern café chains dot the streets of Paris much like any other European city, the classical Parisian café – with its iconic woven chairs and striped awnings – remains ubiquitous. Even in tourist-filled areas such as Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, you'll find them filled with locals, particularly in the early morning when workers rush in for a quick espresso. Or in the evening, when lingering over a café crème and conversation is the perfect way to segue into Paris by night.

In the world of Parisian café culture, Café de Flore is the jewel in the crown. Located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this mythical Paris café has been the place where intellectuals and artists like to see and be seen. Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir famously used its Art Deco banquettes to pen their existentialist thoughts, and Pablo Picasso was a regular. 

Café de Flore still maintains its bygone elegance. The best time to come is the morning – order a noisette or a rich chocolat chaud. It'll cost more than other cafés in Paris, but the experience is priceless. An added plus? It's only a 15-minute stroll from this contemporary Saint-Germain-des-Prés hotel.

• Address: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006, Paris
• Open: Daily 7:30 am–2 am

A few steps away, Les Deux Magots is the Café de Flore’s historical rival. Founded in 1885, it lives and breathes Left Bank literati in its beautiful green awnings, intimate terrace and wood-lined décor. Today more a place to eat than have a leisurely coffee, Les Deux Magots is best for breakfast (try the "Hemingway": juice, coffee and organic eggs) or a light lunch of one of their famous croque monsieurs. Before you leave, take a second to pay homage to its namesake – two carved Chinese figurines (magots) regally perched on an interior column.  

• Address: 6 Pl. Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006, Paris
• Open: Daily 7:30 am–1 am

If historical significance is to be measured in years, then Le Procope takes the prize. Founded in 1686, it predates the French Revolution by a hundred years, and was a gathering place for revolutionaries and philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. Benjamin Franklin himself is said to have tinkered with the wording of the American Constitution inside its walls. 

Famous clients are portrayed in busts and portraits in the café’s authentic, period dining rooms. And while Le Procope now functions more as a restaurant, you can still savour a Parisian coffee outside meal times. For lovers of Parisian café culture and history, it’s a must.

• 13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comedie, 75006, Paris
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

While Paris excels in gorgeous, iconic cafés, the question remains: is the coffee any good? It's been a hot topic among travellers, with opinions divided. However, there are numerous Paris cafés that take their brews as seriously as their checked tablecloths. 

Just off the Place de l'Opera, Café Verlet is an intimate coffee house that offers some of the finest blends in Paris. Established in 1880, and credited with introducing coffee to café society, it blends old-world charm with evolving artisanal coffee practices. Beans are sourced from small producers across the globe and roasted to perfection in-house. There's no outdoor seating, but you can take a seat inside at a communal wooden table, where you'll be served the coffee of your choice while enjoying the heady aroma of freshly roasted beans. Pastries, teas and delicious light meals are also on the menu.

• Address: 256 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001, Paris
• Open: Monday to Saturday 10 am–7 pm

The Le Marais district bursts with chic and cool pleasures. The miniscule Boot Café (named after the shop’s previous life as a shoe repairer) is a delightful place to stop off for a petit noir and pastry on its handful of seats while soaking up its cosy ambience. 

Boot Café sources its beans from local roasters Belleville Brûlerie, and its baristas craft coffee with care and precision. Set among the vintage advertising posters on the walls is a sign that reads "These Coffees Are Made For Walking". However, so intimate and charming is this Paris café, you may linger longer than expected.

• Address: 19 Rue de Pont aux Choux, 75003, Paris
• Open: Thursday to Sunday 10am-5pm

Always on the cutting edge of fashion, Paris cafés evolve with the times. Café Kitsuné is a boutique coffee chain that has become a go-to for modern coffee lovers. With a décor that mixes Japanese minimalism with a warm, crafted feel, it attracts a stylish, latte-sipping crowd. The one on Avenue de l'Opéra, with its bright, uncluttered interiors and friendly vibe, is just a 10-minute walk from Mercure Paris Opéra Louvre Hotel.  

• Address: 32 Av. de l'Opéra, 75002, Paris. There are also various other locations across Paris
• Open: Daily 8 am–7 pm

This café brand is as hip as they come, with Art Deco-meets-modernism décor and exquisitely packaged beans to go. They're hit with the creative set and lovers of high concepts. Five unique brews are offered from fair-trade producers, which clients sip at sleek bars. More than a Paris café, these spots take coffee culture to fashionable new heights. 

• Address: 25 Rue Danielle Casanova, 75001 Paris. There are also various other locations across Paris
• Open: Monday to Friday 8 am–7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-7pm

Whether you find yourself sipping Parisian coffee at a storied café like Café de Flore, or savouring artisanal brews at Boot Café, the experience is uniquely Parisian. As you wander through the streets of Paris, let the city’s celebrated cafés be your compass.