10 Best Cafés in the Latin Quarter in Paris

10 Best Cafés in the Latin Quarter in Paris

Originally published by Jordan in June 2021, Updated by Charity K on April 2023, and by  Vanessa M on August 2023.

Situated on Paris’ historic Left Bank, the Latin Quarter is home to some of the city’s most iconic monuments and sites, making it a perfect starting point for a Latin Quarter walking tour. It’s in the cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter that you’ll find the Pantheon, La Sorbonne, Saint-Michel fountain, the Musée Cluny (Middle Ages Museum), the bookstands along the Seine, as well as some of the oldest streets and cafés in Paris. 

These days, the Latin Quarter is a lively neighborhood, with a large student population. And, it goes without saying that its proximity to so many monuments makes the Latin Quarter a haven for tourists. So there are A LOT of tourist-trap, very mediocre restaurants that you should steer clear of. But not to worry, the area is also home to plenty of local secrets and hidden gems when it comes to dining. You just have to know where to look!

Here’s my insider’s guide to the best cafés in the Latin Quarter in Paris. 

1. DOSE

Photo courtesy of DOSE – Sourced from their Instagram

This café tucked away off the bustling Rue Mouffetard is easily one of the best in the Latin Quarter. DOSE is a micro roastery, so all of the coffee is freshly roasted to perfection by them. You can find modern café fare here – all of which are made in-house. For breakfast, they have homemade granola, pastries, açai bowls, and eggs too. Afternoon offerings are more substantial with quiches, salads, and soups on the menu. 

This is a great spot to stop, relax, and refuel after a walk through the Latin Quarter. Or if you’re in a hurry, simply grab a coffee to go and head back out for round two of sightseeing. 

dose – 73 rue mouffetard paris 75005

Metro station: place monge

opening hours:

Tuesday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM

Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM

2. Loulou

Photo courtesy of Loulou – Sourced from their Instagram

Easily one of the most charming cafés in the Latin Quarter, Loulou is also one of the best. A friendly, local-favorite type café situated on the Boulevard Saint-Germain, Loulou serves up French-Australian style café fare.

Generous sweet and savory breakfast spreads accompany their vast coffee, juice, and smoothie selections. And if you’re in the mood for a bigger meal, copious salads, burgers, Buddha bowls, and daily specials also figure on the menu. If you’re hoping to enjoy a weekend brunch though, be sure to reserve in advance as this place is popular.  

Loulou friendly diner – 90 Boulevard saint-germain 75005 Paris

metro station: maubert-mutualité or cluny la sorbonne

opening hours:

weekdays from 8 AM to 9M

weekends from 10 AM to 9 PM

3. Coutume Institute

Photo courtesy of Coutume Institute – Photo uploaded by them

One of the best cafés in the Latin Quarter in Paris is actually located just a stone’s throw from La Sorbonne. Despite being a heavily touristic area, the Latin Quarter is home to plenty of great cafés and eateries, you just have to know where to look.

Hidden away inside the Institut Finlandais (a center focused on Finnish culture, arts, etc), you’ll find the Costume Institute. This renowned French coffee roasterie has several locations around the city, but this is one of my favorites. Rain or shine, you can settle in for a delicious coffee and meal with the city light spilling in through the glass-paned café windows of the Institute. They offer sweet and savory options as well as expertly-crafted coffees  – perfect for a stop after a visit to the Musée Cluny, the Pantheon, or La Sorbonne! 

coutume insitute – 60 rue des écoles 75005 paris

metro station: cluny la sorbonne

opening hours: temporarily closed due to covid, estimated reopening summer 2021

4. Jozi Café

Photo courtesy of Jozi Café – Sourced from their Instagram

This cozy café in the Latin Quarter is just a quick hop (literally a 3-minute walk) from the Pantheon. Famed for its breakfast and brunch options as well as its artisan coffee, Jozi is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. 

Stop in here for delicious breakfast or brunch before visiting the rest of the Latin Quarter. Here you’ll find pancaked with fruit and maple syrup, homemade banana bread, pastries, and delicious coffees and teas. Jozi is a great spot to start your day before heading to the Pantheon, for example. 

jozi café – 3 rue valette 75005 paris

metro staion: maubert-mutualité or cardinal lemoine

opening hours:

open weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM

weekends from 9 AM to 5 PM

5. Shakespeare and Co. Café

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare and Co – Sourced from their Instagram

Famous for being one of the oldest (and might I add, coolest) bookshops in Paris, Shakespeare and Co. is also home to one of the best cafés in the Latin Quarter. Located just next door to the famed bookstore on the Quai de la Tournelle, Shakespeare and Co. Café offers up great coffee and café fare in a real coffee shop setting. Think scones, cakes, bagels, sandwiches, etc. Not to mention, excellent coffee and juices!

If you opt to sit inside, you can sit at one of the tables by the window gazing out over Notre Dame, but the terrace offers an even better experience. Order your coffee and food, and head outside to one of the tables in the sunshine facing the Seine. Here you can enjoy your meal over a good book, or simply watch the Parisian passerby. 

shakespeare and Co. café – 37 rue de la bûcherie 75005 paris

metro station: saint-michel

opening hours: open daily from 11:30 AM to 7 PM

6. Malongo Atelier Barista

Julius Schorzman, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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This is the best place to take the best coffee in Paris, which is organic and originates from Australia. The coffee is refreshing and the smiles are very nice. They also have small buns/tarts that are very tasty with coffee.

malongo atelier barista: 50 rue Saint Andre des Arts, 75006 Paris

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 7:00 PM.                                                    

7. Strada Cafe Monge

They serve cuisines French or European cafes located in the heart f Paris.  They also have vegetarian-friendly, Vegan Options and Gluten Free Options. Their meals include breakfast and lunch and they also do Brunch. 

STRADE CAFE MONGE: 24 rue MONGE, 75005 Paris

opening hours: Monday to FRIDAY 10:00 AM TO 6:30 PM

Sunday &SATURDAY from 8 am 8:00 AM TO 6:30 PM

8. Lacroix Patissier

This is a small joint just across Notre Dame but offers incredible desserts. They have a touch of great selection. The best place to take a break and enjoy a quick meal. They also offer delicious cakes and a tasty cup of tea.

LACROIX PATISSIER: 11 quai de Montebello, 75005 Paris France

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 10 am to 7:00 PM. 

9. Boulangerie Saint Michel

They have very welcoming staff who speak English. Most importantly, their breakfast is incredible. The bakery operating house is also friendly from 7 am to 10 pm. Their coffee is great and their pastries are delicious. It’s a place one would love to visit for an enjoyable breakfast.

Boulangerie saint michel: 1 rue de la Harpe, 75005 Paris 

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 7 am to 10:00 PM. 

10. Les Ursulines

A place with an option to book online. They give discounts according to the hours you visit. For instance, from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm they give a 20% discount. They have special reservations for seating spaces for wheelchair accessibility. They serve alcohol and reserve outdoor seating.

LES URSULINES: 56 rue GAY LUSSAC, 75005 Paris 

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 8.30 am to 9:30 PM. 

Now that you have had a glimpse of the best cafes in the Latin Quarter, and you love to enjoy your coffee or a meal later in the day with friends or family, we have the best brunch spots in the Latin Quarter listed below:

5 Best Cafes for Brunch in the Latin Quarter

1. Café de Flore

This lovely establishment, which dates back to 1887, has long played home to the city’s intellectuals and attracted famous stars. For years it was the place to be and be seen as many a great mind passed through.

Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re searching for some of the greatest coffee in Paris, Cafe de Flore’s beans and brew are top-notch. It goes without saying that if the weather is nice and sunny you must sit on the terrace. For those who don’t need to glance at the price list, I highly recommend brunch, coffee, and an aperitif.

Yes, by definition, Café de Flore is for “Bon Vivants,” individuals who appreciate their time, their stay, the process of generating what they have requested, and the pleasure of being able to see the people coming and passing.

Café de Flore: 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 7:30 am to 1:30 PM.

2. Le Saint-Regis

Le Saint-Regis is a delightful French brasserie in the center of Paris that delivers delicious French cuisine at reasonable costs. The restaurant has a pleasant and friendly ambiance and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

The interior design evokes a typical Parisian cafe with wooden tables, vintage lighting fixtures, and a pleasant environment ideal for a romantic supper or a relaxed lunch.

Photo by Nadin Sh from Pexels

On Sundays, the Saint-Régis serves a brunch menu that includes foie gras terrine, Spanish sardines, poached, fried, scrambled, or soft-boiled eggs, an Italian burger, pastries, and various pancakes, and granola cheese.

Le Saint-Regis: 6 Rue Jean du Bellay, 75004 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 7:30 am to 2 aM.

3. La Jacobine

This restaurant delivers wonderful French cuisine. It serves cuisine that is representative of the entire European continent. You may also expect delectable vegetarian meals, as well as a fantastic brunch served in the morning.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

La Jacobine can readily satisfy the craving for candy with its magical desserts; also, here persists the customary ambiance and, therefore, the normal ambiance of a Brasserie. The restaurant cheerfully provides a selection of gluten-free meals, and there are also vegan dishes on the menu.

La Jacobine: 59-61 Rue Saint-André des Arts, 75006 Paris, France

Opening hours: Tuesday to SUNDAY From 12 to 10:30 pM.

4. Odette

La Maison ODETTE Paris, which opened several years ago, is a pastry business that specializes in cream puffs. There is something for everyone, both gourmet and classic! A real fusion of classic tastes and flavors from around the world.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Vanilla or chocolate, pistachio or coffee, passion or caramel with salted butter, lemon, berries, or praline are some of the flavors available. Because of its size, it is an excellent dish for everyone and an excellent choice for brunch in the Latin Quarter.

Odette: 77 Rue Galande, 75005 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 10 am to 7:45 pM.

5. Le Petit Châtelet

This is a charming little (thus the name “petit”) restaurant across the Seine from Notre Dame. The prices are reasonable especially given the location.

Its outdoor sitting is ideal for people-watching, and the staff is courteous and educated, willing to recommend cuisine and wine pairings.

Photo by MikeGz from Pexels

The filet with potatoes, heart of duck, scallops, and pan-fried seabass are among the menu’s standouts. The seabass with scallops is a must-order for vegetarians.

The wine list is moderately priced, and the proprietor will gladly recommend a wine to complement your meal. This is among the best cafes in Paris for brunch.

eLe Petit Châtelet: 39 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Opening hours: Monday to SUNDAY From 12-2:30 pm, 7-10:50 pM.

Well, now you know some of the best cafés in the Latin Quarter in Paris according to an insider. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article, and that you’ll love discovering these cafés just as much as I have. 

In case you’re looking to amplify your exploration, consider our Paris food tour where the vibrant and ever-evolving food scene unfolds before your taste buds.