It would be a crime to come to Paris and not stop for a coffee (or other drink) in a cafe. Despite the onslaught of American-style coffee shops, classic cafe life is still an integral part of the Parisian scene, and it simply won’t do to visit the capital without at least participating once. Important note: Cafes are not bars in the North American sense—though they generally serve alcohol, they are not places where people come to get smashed. They are places where people come to just “be,” to sip a drink, to take a break, to read a book, or to simply watch the world go by. Most cafes open very early in the morning and close between midnight and 2am.

Paris must have thousands of cafes. Though you could probably have a basic cafe experience in just about any corner operation, here are a few surefire options to choose from.

Coffee Talk


Ordering a cup of coffee in Paris is not quite as simple as it sounds. Most any cafe has a multitude of delightful caffeinated (and decaffeinated) java possibilities. Cappuccinos, by the way, are rare in Parisian cafes, and when you do get one, chances are it won’t resemble anything you’d get in Italy. Important tip: Drinks at the bar (coffee or otherwise) can cost half what you will pay sitting down at a table—as little as 1€ for an espresso.

The following miniglossary will help you navigate once your waiter makes it over to your table.

Café (ka-fay): Coffee. This is pure, black espresso, albeit lighter than the Italian version, served in a small demitasse cup. The equivalent of a “long shot,” in Starbucks-speak.

Allongé (all-on-jay): Coffee. This is black espresso with a shot of hot water, served in a slightly bigger cup.

Décaf (day-ka): Decaf, or decaffeinated coffee. An unleaded version of the above.

Café serré (ka-fay sehr-ay): Though smaller in volume, packs a bigger punch. Resembles an Italian espresso.

Noisette (nwa-zet): Café with a dash of steamed milk (my favorite).

Café crème (crem): Café with an equal amount of steamed milk, served in a larger cup.

Café au lait (ka-fay oh lay): Virtually identical to the above, sometimes with a bit more milk. The biggest difference is the time of day; in the morning, they call it a café au lait, in the afternoon a crème.

 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.