Top Eight: Best Coffee Places - Rive Gauche

This is definitely no easy feat to compile! Really good coffee is actually harder to find in Paris than one would think. Most cafés and brasseries here serve the common “Cafe Richard” which is at best ok in a pinch, but most have older machines and are just utilitarian. True, solid coffee places are popping up everywhere here though, so I am always on the lookout for a cute place to read, chat with friends, or watch stylish Parisians walk by. I concentrated on the left bank where I spend most of my time and will do a second edition in the future with right bank offerings. I have specifically not included a few that have been overexposed on social media lately and frankly, too expensive for what you get. I want to give my readers and future Paris-trip-takers something truly unique and worthy. As usual, all photos are taken by me unless otherwise noted and this list is in no particular order.

#1 - Bleu Olive

Obsessed with their cappucinos and noisettes (an espresso with a tiny bit of steamed milk) - it is a small, family owned place in the 7th. Smooth coffee and good prices for the area. Warm, inviting interior with a little play area for littles under the stairs in the back. They always have nice cakes in the AM, and rotating, fresh options for the lunch hour. Insider Tip: get their refillable to-go cup in my favorite shade of blue for walks in the neighborhood! Highly recommend.

#2 - Marcelle

Coincidentally, right across from Bleu Olive, is this nice place with good options and has a bigger interior with high ceilings. A bit more modern, this coffee shop is inviting and includes a little terasse on the side street next to it for nice weather. Fun fact: sometimes they have cheesecake, which is one of the best in Paris according to expat locals! Love their smoothies and great coffee. This is also a lovely place for bigger groups or meetings which are hard to come by in Paris.

#3 - Judy Café

I love this cute place with sunny yellow striped awnings on an otherwise boring corner in the 6th on Rue D’Assas and Fleurus. It boasts gluten-free menu options if you need them, and the scrambled eggs are my favorite here! The coffee is outstanding and smooth. Insider Tip: it has a to-go attached boutique on the side with its own bevy of packaged salads and coffee machine/register. There is always a line of locals in the morning grabbing their “emporter” (to-go!) before work.

#4 - Cuppa

Just in the 7th, on the edge of the 6th, there is a great newish spot on Rue D’Université that has a beautiful, fresh green interior and thoughtful details - brightens up the winter months for sure! Family owned and run, it has amazing coffee and breakfast options. Fun fact: you can stop here before you head to the D’Orsay which is only a five minute walk away. (Photo of me here taken by my friend, the talented Jordan @myparisianlens)

#5 - Maison Du Fleuret

Just barely one street where the 6th meets the 7th on Rue de Saint-Peres is a very cute former bookshop (librairie) turned coffee shop which is incredible, honestly! The name isn’t even on the facade, you could easily miss it sandwiched in between a famous chocolate shop and a nice boutique hotel. I chose a cortado (was 4.5. euros but double-sized) and paired it with the very thick slice of banana bread. I sat up on the mezzanine and enjoyed the view and being surrounded by French books. Fun fact: they have a baking school in the back where you can take classes to learn macrons, choux and various pastries!

#6 - Jozi

Loved this cozy and busy café in the 5th, just down from the Pantheon towards Maubert Mutualité. Lovely menu and I opted for avocado toast and a cortado. The toast was substantial and a great value with a lot of fresh avocado (sometimes places can be a bit proud of their avocado and spread it too thin…). There were a few hotels in the area and seemingly no other coffee shops, so it was lively! Service was still great and I would easily come again, especially as the coffee was genuinely smooth and satisfying.

#7 - Bel Horizon Coffee Roasters

A really amazing little spot at the apex of two streets in the 15th, just down from bustling Cambronne square. It is not in a picturesque area, but absolutely TOP coffee. They roast their beans on site and have no Wi-Fi to discourage working and taking up the tiny sitting area. I got a cappuccino emporter (to-go!) and walked toward Invalides for a meeting. A lady behind me had a stamp card for the place also, which I think is genius! If you are staying in the Motte Picquet area or near the Eiffel Tower, it’s definitely worth the ten to fifteen minute walk.

#8 - Bonjour, Jacob

Last and definitely not least is this awesome place on Rue Dauphine in the 6th. Minimal and cool, they have a wall of rare and limited magazines for sale and truly exceptional coffee. Smooth and served at the perfect temperature, my husband and I enjoyed this soon to be rive gauche staple! They have another location in the 10th, for rive droite folks.