Paris Coffee and Cafes

Here are the choices for favourite Paris coffee

When you first venture out for a Paris coffee and wander into your first café, all you need to do is say, "Bonjour. Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plait." Tranlsated this mean,"Hello (always say hello). I would like a coffee please."

To learn how to pronounce the different coffees, you can watch this very quick short video - then read the explanations below the video:

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What you might not know is that there are two prices in French cafes and bars - one less expensive price if you stand at the bar and a slightly higher price for table service where the waiter brings you the order.

Now that you know this in advance, you're well prepared ... unless of course you don't want a small dark strong coffee in a tiny cup. Read on to see the options you have.

	Un cafe = is a café noir or café express. This will be served with sugar cubes in a small espresso-sized cup -- a few spoonfuls of dark, strong espresso coffee. The sugar cubes are generally placed on the saucer. Prefer a bit of milk with yours? Ask for un café noisette.
	Morning coffee served at home is generally strong coffee with milk, and served in a bowl (but don't expect this in cafes). Called un grand creme - or un cafe au lait (translates to coffee with milk) - is strong espresso coffee.
	For morning or afternoon tea, you might like to order un cappuccino which is an espresso coffee in a normal-sized cup, with steamed milky foam. This might also be topped with chocolate shavings, powdered chocolate or a dash of cinnamon, depending on the café.
	Do you prefer decaffeinated coffee? Ask for un déca or un décaféiné - you might also hear this referred to as un (café) faux which means fake or false.
	Many north Americans are used to filtered coffee rather than strong espresso-style coffee. (We Australians thrive on the Italian espresso coffee and culture :-) You will be able to find cafés which do have this weaker, American-style coffee - look for the signs and on the menu - for café filtre (which means filtered coffee). I've also heard this referred to as café americain in French. It will be a dark roast and from Arabica beans. Although I've never had Starbucks coffee, friends have told me this is similar in taste.
	If you like the aroma and flavour of an espresso, but don't quite like the strong taste, you might ask for a coffee with some hot water on the side, known as café allongé - literally translates to "extended coffee". Just add the hot water until it tastes the way you like.
	If you'd really like a spring in your step, try the Paris coffee called double express - and the true diehards might like to try a café serré, which is an espresso made with half the normal amount of water - guaranteed to make your hair stand on end!
	If you prefer something a bit gentler on a steamy hot day, go for an iced coffee - café glacé - to cool you down.
	Then there's my all-time favourite - it's not coffee - but it is hot chocolate. There are tons of fabulous cafés specialising in hot chocolate throughout Paris, better than anything you've ever had before :-)
	And if you just feel like a good old cup of tea, one of the specialty Salon de Thés tea shops is the place to visit, relax, unwind and rest the weary feet.

Well I do hope you enjoy trying out all the different Pariss coffees and cafés - do Add A Comment below to let me know what you think :-)

Here are some of my favourite Paris cafes

Paris coffee and cafés - croissants - the Eiffel Tower.

All these words conjure up an experience you simply must have. When I was on my search for the best cafes in Paris recently, I decided to take some photos and share my finds with you.

One thing you must know about me is that I love good strong Italian coffee blended with fresh refrigerated milk [and not that long-life UHT milk which lasts forever on shelves!].

OK - I guess I'm a bit of a Paris coffee snob, but really - I know what I like and don't like, and if I don't like the taste of something I won't drink it.  To be fair to the French, they have a way of making coffee with beans we don't see in Australia, and obviously the French love their coffee.

I've been very lucky to have learnt about savouring coffee from the Italians who brought espresso to Australia in the 50s.  We have a huge coffee 'culture' in Sydney and Melbourne, and even though I love Paris, there's nothing wrong with me looking for a cafe who serves coffee more to my taste than the black tar with long-life milk I've experienced in the majority of Paris cafes.

OK - here are my cafe reviews, just click the links to read more and view my photos. If you enjoy them too, please do let me know.

Caffe Kimbo de Napoli
Cafe Malongo

Soy Latte coffee shops

As I find other fabulous cafes with my level of excellent coffee, I'll update this page. In June 2008 I'll be spending the whole month in Paris, so fingers' crossed!

If you would rather make your OWN coffee in Paris, you might like to read my instructions for how to make the best Italian coffee at home.  I show how to use a French press coffee maker (Italian Bialetti stove-top coffee pot) to make the best coffee in Paris.  Once you've used a French coffee press, you'll thorooughly enjoy how easy it is.

 

 

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