Speciality coffee is relatively new to Paris but in recent years, amazing coffee shops have sprung up all over capital. We’ve got a list of our favourite cafés to get an actual good cup of coffee in the city of light.
Paris had a bad reputation for coffee during the past few decades as unlike their European neighbours, they were slow to embrace speciality coffee. Nowadays, Paris has a great array of cafés serving up well made coffee by baristas who actually know what they’re doing.
Our Favourite Speciality Coffee Spots in Paris
You’ll find great pour-over and espresso coffee in Paris made with quality beans. Our guide lists are favourite spots and is updated regularly. Cafes are listed in no particular order.
KB Coffee
KB Coffee is located at the top of the trendy Rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement. Near to the Sacré Coeur and the Moulin Rouge, it’s the perfect spot to get a coffee after sightseeing. KB’s coffee shop originally launched back in 2015 before starting their own roastery in 2019.
Their beans are roasted in-house and they have single-origin and blended coffee for both their espresso and filter coffee. Their beans only come from farmers that they know on a personal level. If you’re feeling like something sweet with your coffee, they also have some amazing patisseries and cakes baked in-house.
Finally, it’s worth noting that their large terrace is awesome with a great view across the place. It’s perfect for people watching or gazing up to the Sacré Coeur.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day and from 7:45am on weekdays
- You may need to wait up to 10 minutes for your drink during peak times
- Computers allowed
Address: 53 Av. Trudaine, 75009
Tel: 01 56 92 12 41
Website: https://kbcoffeeroasters.com/en
Nomade Café
Based in the hip 11th arrondissement near the Faidherbe Chaligny metro station, Nomade Café is an awesome, cosy speciality coffee café. Ideal for those wanting to work a bit with a great cup of coffee, there’s plenty of seating with power outlets.
Their menu is divided between black & white. The usual espresso based milk drinks in the white side and espresso & filter without milk are in the black. Their prices are reasonable for Paris and they even have a very good large brew filter coffee for only €2.50. In the summer months they have cold brew and ice coffee on offer and even freshly pressed orange juices. For vegetarians and vegans they have oat milk on offer for a €0.50 supplement.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day and until 6pm on weekends
- Computers allowed
Address: 8 Rue Paul Bert, 75011
Website: https://www.instagram.com/nomade.coffeeshop/
Fringe
Fringe is a great speciality espresso café and photography gallery located in the Marais in the capital’s 3rd arrondissement. Specialising mainly in espresso, they also offer a selection of pastries and cakes including gluten free lemon cake and cookies. They do have a pour-over option on the menu with two different bean options.
Their coffee is single origin and comes from local roasters. On my most recent trip to Fringe, I had an incredible flat white with a really well balanced shot – fruity and floral notes shined through the well stretched milk.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day but note they close at 5pm on weekends and 4pm on weekdays
- Computers are NOT allowed
Address: 106 Rue de Turenne, 75003
Website: http://www.fringecoffeeparis.com
Café du Clown
Sister to Clown Bar restaurant (a well known neo Paris Bistro), Café du Clown opened their doors recently, in early 2022. A small café located outside Marché Saint Germain near Odéon, it’s cosy and intimate and a great spot to take a break from sight-seeing.
Their limited bar area means that naturally the coffee offering is limited. You will find filter coffee in the form of V60 & Chemex and of course great espresso. Their beans are imported in from other European roasters including two in the Netherlands and one other roaster in Paris. Note that it’s not a good spot to work due to the limited number of tables.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day but note they close at 1pm on Sundays
- Wouldn’t recommend to work here
Address: 6 Rue Lobineau, 75006
Website: https://www.clown-bar-paris.fr/cafe-du-clown/
The Dancing Goat
The creatively named café (named due to the fact that goats appear to ‘dance’ after eating coffee beans) is located in the North East of the city, in the 20th arrondissement. Their huge windows and modern decor are reminiscent of cafés in Berlin although it it does retain a Parisian charm. Off the beaten track, it’s worth popping by if you’re visiting the nearby Père Lachaise cemetery.
The coffee offering is espresso only but it is really good. Their beans change often so ask at the counter what’s in the grinder. Breakfast and snacks are done particularly well here – home made granola, lemon cake, gluten-free brownies.. it’s heaven if you have a sweet tooth.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day
- Computers NOT allowed
Address: 117 Av. Gambetta, 75020
Website: https://www.instagram.com/thedancinggoatparis/
The Beans on Fire
If you’re in the 11th arrondissement, Bean’s on Fire is a great speciality coffee café to check out. Located off the very pretty Square Maurice Gardette, it’s an idyllic spot to relax and people watch without the rush of traffic going past.
Their coffee is roasted in house and they have a very big selection. Both single-origin and blended coffee, they have a close relationship with all their supplying farmers. You can buy their beans (or have them ground to order) in the café or online. Their menu is predominantly espresso based with the only filter option coming out of an aeropress.
What to know before visiting
- Open every day until 6pm
- Computers ONLY allowed on weekdays
Address: 7 Rue du Général Blaise, 75011
Tel: 01 43 55 94 73
Website: https://thebeansonfire.com
