Get Your Caffeine Fix in Paris

And it ain't going to be from a café au lait at the corner brasserie (sorry)

Most things - that relate to eating, at least - don’t cost quite as much in France as they would in a larger U.S. city. You can find your Michelin star restaurants, of course, but overall, a meal at a Paris restaurant will cost less than that same meal at a restaurant in New York.

The exception is: coffee shops. Coffee shops in the typical American sense, meaning they serve things like lattes, flat whites, and have multiple espresso options from various South American and African countries. These are the places that they even proactively offer you alternative milks - a decidedly un-French question. These are also the places where that latte or flat white will cost you anywhere between €5 to €7, or the equivalent of about $5.30 to $7.50. And beware: many espresso drinks in Paris only contain one shot, which is not nearly enough to jumpstart our frayed American nerves.

All of that being said, you can find some fabulous coffee in Paris. Fearing that the dirty automatic espresso machine in my last rented apartment would give me tetanus, I explored lots of spots and spent lots of euros. Here is a list of some of my favorites (full warning that I just think coffee tastes good and have no deep knowledge of it, please take that for what you will).

Noir

Taking a little break during a long day of walking.

Noir is a small chain with locations across the city. They are reliable, have nice interiors, and double walled to-go cups. Food options are minimal - a few cookie-like bites - so don’t go if you’re looking for anything heavier. Above is my favorite location on a picturesque corner of Île Saint-Louis.

laïzé sainte-avoye

A newer discovery, this innocuous spot in Le Marais has one of the most beautiful espresso machines I’ve ever seen (I didn’t know this was a thing either but trust me). It’s name is Tawainese, and there are a few sister shops around the right bank. They also specialize in tea (traditional and bubble), which I’m planning on trying the next time I’m in town. From an espresso perspective, the honey latte is one of the best coffees I’ve had in the city.

Ob-La-Di

This has been my go-to coffee spot in Le Marias since 2021. It’s a very small spot, with a few circular tables and a few stools inside to sit on. The Grecian-like floor tiles and shiny wood detail make it feel cozy even on the grossest of days. It’s not a place I would sit to do work - see above for small space - but the intimate vibe makes for a pleasant place to sip your coffee while reading a book for an hour or so. Plus look at this cute branding! I still miss the t-shirt I bought and then subsequently left in an Edignburgh hotel room in a COVID haze :(.

the coffee.

Another spot with a number of locations around Paris, this Japanese-inspired, Brazilian-founded coffee shop makes it very easy for non-French speakers to order by providing a tablet for ordering. You can choose from a variety of hot and cold espresso or matcha items, milk alternatives, and flavors. If it’s hot outside and I’m craving an iced vanilla latte, this is where I head. Their default is to add a small amount of chocolate sprinkles to iced coffee drinks, which is a tasty surprise, even if it means you look ridiculous trying to fish them out with your straw.

Café Verlet

This coffee and tea purveyor located in the 1st arrondissment has been around since 1880! It’s feels of the time inside, with adorable decor and teas, coffees, and cookies to buy. They do have a table service and larger food menu if you’re in the mood for a heartier breakfast than the normal grab-n-go croissant. From my very amateur perspective the coffee wasn’t the strongest, but they did give you warm milk to pour in yourself if you’re in the market for a TikTok clip.

Café Kitsune

Another Japanese/French brand (this is a thing apparently!), Café Kitsune is related to Maison Kitsuné, a fashion/lifestyle brand. They also have a number of different locations throughout the city, and roast their own beans at the location on Rue Vertbois - right below my last Paris apartment. That location was pretty low key, but others that are closer to touristy spots, can get a bit hectic and a touch sceney. They also lean in to some LA/NYC prices: I was desperate for a tote bag after lugging around a way-too-heavy purse and coughed up €45 for a branded tote. I take full responsibility for such a dumb purchase but I did wind up sacrificing fashun for comfort and cost per wear of that dirty bag came down pretty significantly over the course of a month.