Few things say fall in Paris quite like sitting in a great café with a friend, a good book, or even just to people-watch. Café culture in Paris is unmatched and deeply ingrained in the city’s DNA. While Paris didn’t invent café culture, it is widely accepted that Le Procope was (and is) the birthplace of the modern café in the Western world. Le Procope is where writers like Voltaire, Diderot and Rousseau brought with them ideas, writings and the creative spirit we still find in Parisian cafés to this day.
The modern day Parisian café has the same structural makeup but offers a new and sleeker look on the surface. While the traditional cafés still exist, the third wave café is a more complete experience, moving away from the bistro tables and large food menus to a more carefully curated space that honors café culture’s roots in community and connection. In honor of the cooler weather and the fight for connection, here are our favorite spots around the city for cozy vibes and building community.
50 Rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris
If you are a cool creative in Paris, this is the café for you. More than a café, Causier is a vibe that you embody all while feeling like you’re coming home; punctuated by amazing food and great drinks. Split into two distinct areas, the “living room” filled with sofas, comfy chairs, space to chat and things to read, makes you feel as if you’re at a friend’s home having a drink. The “dining room” is more formal while remaining communal. The objective here is to get to know the other Causier patrons. You sit together, you chat together and you will, most likely, come back time and time again, as this community is warm, inviting and utterly interesting.
87 Rue d’Hauteville, 75010 Paris
The perfect place to grab an iced matcha latte with vanilla cold foam. Situated in the 10th arrondissement, Koffessa is everything fun about a Parisian café. High-quality products, the latest must-have caffeinated beverages and a carefully curated selection of everything to make you feel like you’re in your coolest friend’s living room. From the vinyl collection to the tiger stripped chairs, every inch of the café is crafted for coziness with a touch of edge.
86 Rue d’Aboukir, 75002 Paris
While not a traditional café in its intention, Boneshakers is an institution. The home of the best donuts in Paris, Boneshakers went from a small storefront with no seating to a cozy café ambiance with donuts, great coffee and vibes. When you are there, you’ll notice the punk-rock vibes and delicious donuts, but you’ll also notice the people hanging out in front and chatting together at all hours of the day. If you do want a donut to go with your vibes it’s best to go before lunch because they sell out fast.
18 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris
When you walk into Off-Campus, it feels like you’re walking into a warm library of a different time. With books and knick-knacks lining the walls, there is space for everyone: those looking to take in stories and creativity, those who want to work in a beautiful space and those who are there to learn. Off-Campus offers a delicious assortment of beverages alongside its clean mid-century aesthetic as well as workshops on various subjects. Off-Campus embodies the spirit of the Parisian café through its workshops covering everything from geopolitics and art history to astronomy and cinema.
Whether you live in Paris or you’re visiting, enjoying a café that truly embraces the celebration of creativity, idea exchange, all encompassed within a warm and intimate atmosphere, is the perfect activity for any season, especially autumn.
