Top 10 Paris Coffee Shops in Rive Gauche (South of the Seine)

Paris’ Rive Gauche, famed for housing the Latin Quarter, the renowned Sorbonne Université, sublime Jardin du Luxembourg, and inspiring Jardin des Plantes, also has intriguing cafés that any traveller or resident could enjoy visiting when they find themselves in the French capital.

Below are the cafés that I frequented the most south of the Seine during my time spent in Paris. Enjoy!

1. Nuance Café

This minimalist café just a short walk away from Le Jardin des Plantes (5ème arrondissement) serves up great cups of coffee or tea along with fantastic baked delights in a relaxed setting.

Their coffees are exactly to my liking - smooth, and not overly bitter. Their matcha lattes are also worth mentioning, and I personally find them to be one of the best in Paris.

Vegetarian / Gluten Free folks can rest easy knowing there are options available for them. My favourite is the carrot cake - they don’t skimp on portion sizes, either! Amazing!

Not a fan of sweets? Not to worry! Nuance has plenty of heartier options, all boasting nuanced (sorry) flavours. They constantly switch up their menu, so you can look forawrd to new findings each month. There is also a separate brunch menu if you’re in the mood for food.

On top of the coffee and food, one of the things that keep me returning to Nuance Café is the top-notch service. Their team is one of the friendliest in Paris! For a carefree day out in the 5th, check out this great spot!

Nearby Landmarks: Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg, Panthéon

Location:
16 Rue Linné (75005)

Noteworthy Feature:
The café has excellent cakes - especially the carrot cake - made fresh daily. They also update their brunch menu regularly. Yum!

2. Strada Café

Strada Café, with it’s high-ceilings and comfortable seating, is a great café. It’s a quiet and laid-back spot, which is an excellent choice for those who want to find somewhere in which to read a book or study in the 5th district. It was the first place I ran to when I knew I had to finish the last quarter of Le Rouge et Le Noir back when I was a student!

Their coffee is top-notch, and they use high-quality roasts. They never skimp on portions, and you get a larger portion than what is usually offered in Paris.

In terms of food, the café offers just a few “café-style” cakes/ breads and cookies. They usually have an option for those of us who are Gluten Free/ Vegetarian. I’ve had some delicious desserts, and some that have been a bit too dry for my liking. It all depends on your taste buds.

Also: they have their own branded cups. I have such an affinity for cafés with their own branded cups… don’t ask me why… I just find it adorable. Enjoy the photos of that below!

If you’re looking for a café with a lot of ambiance and exceptional coffee, head on over to Strada Café!

Nearby Landmarks: Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg, Panthéon

Location:
24 Rue Monge (75005)

Noteworthy Feature:
The café has adorable bespoke cups with “Strada Café” emblazoned inside the cups.

3. Saint Pearl

This laid-back coffee shop is a welcome addition to the café scene in the 7th district, which is usually overshadowed by the expensive heavyweights Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore.

If you want something that is more modern and cozy in that area, Saint-Pearl is a perfect choice. What Saint-Pearl lacks in size (it’s small but there is seating!), it makes up for in it’s comfortable environment and yummy treats that cater to many dietary needs (Gluten Free/ Vegetarian/ Vegan).

There were many students in this café, and it’s a good place to check out if you need a place to study. It’s cute, it’s charming, and it might just be the one for you!

Nearby Landmarks: Musée D’Orsay, Musée Eugène Delacroix, Musée Maillol

Location:
38 Rue des Saints-Pères (75007)

Noteworthy Feature:
Saint-Pearl has tons of food potions that accommodate various dietary restrictions.

4. A. Lacroix PÂtissier

A spectacular spot in Rive Gauche for grabbing patisseries while enjoying a view of the Seine and the rebuilding of the Notre Dame is A. Lacroix Pâtissier.

The real highlight of this place are their desserts. Besides their ever-present macarons (large and well worth trying), their bakers change up the orderings daily based on their moods and whatever is available. Some days you might find dark chocolate mousse topped with toasted graham, and other days there’ll be a strawberry tart with custard. What is constant is the high-quality ingredients used, and the expertise of the people who make these delectable delights.

With an every-changing repertoire of sweets, I was thrilled to try each time I walked into this café. The space is nice, but there is no WiFi, so be aware it’s better suited for chatting with friends or reading a book, rather than studying.

Bref, c’est super!

Nearby Landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, La Conciergerie

Location:
11 Quai de Montebello (75005)

Noteworthy Feature:
The desserts are unique and change daily based on the chef’s whims. Check back often for new items!

5. Shakespeare & Company Café

An extremely popular spot on Rive Gauche facing the Notre Dame across the bank, Shakespeare & Company Café. is the extension of the adjacent english language bookstore that has lived in it’s current location since 1922 (though the bookstore itself began in 1919).

The coffee is good, but not the best in Paris. The real draw of this place is it’s location and ties to the renowned bookstore. As for the food, there are a few options, but it' is mainly “healthy” fare, such as the chia seed and berry concoction pictured below.

As for seating, there are a few spots to plop yourself down inside. However, I recommend sitting outside as they have large picnic benches that offer you an undisturbed view of the Seine and the Notre-Dame.

Their placemats are questionnaires written in English boasting philosophical questions such as « How would you like to die and in what form would you choose to come back? ». Much Deep. Very Lit(erary).

Shakespeare & Company is a famous bookstore, and this is the best place to run to right before giving it a visit.

N.B.: You will see many people carrying Shakespeare & Co. tote bags. They are good quality. You’re welcome.

Nearby Landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, La Conciergerie

Location:
37 Rue de la Bûcherie (75005)

Noteworthy Feature:
The famous Shakespeare & Company bookstore is right next door. They host weekly book talks, free of charge.

6. Café de Flore

Anyone who is interested in Parisian café culture can’t discount the notoriety of Café de Flore.

As one of the oldest cafés in Paris, a myriad of famous faces and names have passed through these walls. As its doors first opened in 1880, there’s a high chance any of the seats at which you find yourself sitting in nowadays has previously been occupied by notable philosophers, movie stars, or authors.

Although there are food offerings, the real draw is grabbing a cup of coffee on the terrace as you people watch and discuss the woes of having to wait for your next cup of coffee to arrive at your table.

Café de Flore also makes a famous hot chocolate, which tastes great any crisp autumn morning. For a historically significant dining experience, go to Café de Flore and be flored (bad pun, sorry).

Nearby Landmarks: Musée D’Orsay, Musée de Cluny, Fontaine Saint-Michel

Location:
172 Boulevard Saint-Germain (75006)

Noteworthy Feature:
The place is an excellent example of art-deco style. So chic!

7. Kozy Bosquet

2013 brought about the opening of Kozy Bosquet, a well-sized café that is only a walk away from the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides.

Fresh pressed juices, smoothies, coffees, and bite-sized snacks with options for Vegetarians/ Gluten-Free individuals are what they have on the menu.

Kozy claims that their café is an “urban salon” in the sense that you should feel right at home when you enter. They also ring in the weekend in style by having a brunch menu on those days.

My only qualm was the lack of non-disposable cups; even though I clearly said I was dining in, I still received a takeout cup.

If you’re craving some coffee on Southbank, Kozy might de a cozy place to check out.

Nearby Landmarks: La Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower), Les Invalides + Musée de l’Armée + Le Tombeau de Napoléon (The Invalids + The Army Museum + Napoleons tomb)

Location:
79 Avenue Bosquet (75007)

Noteworthy Feature:
You are allowed to serve yourself whichever dessert you want after you pay.

8. Café Panis

f you’re on the lookout for a Parisian café that delivers on location, views, and ambiance, check out Café Panis.

On the menu are frothy coffees (très français) and classic French desserts (crème brûlée, ice cream, etc...), as well as heartier fare (ratatouille, omelettes, steak tartare, etc...).

Adjacent to the currently under-construction Notre-Dame Cathedral, Café Paris is perfectly located for the most popular sightseeing along the Left Bank. It is only a few minutes away from Sainte-Chapelle and La Conciergerie, and it's within easy walking distance from Île Saint-Louis.

Something that deserves a mention is the ambiance; the café has a rustic flair thanks to it's red leather and mahogany furniture and low-ceilings.

If a day of the most popular Left Bank sightseeing is on your agenda, perhaps Café Panis is worth putting on your radar!

Nearby Landmarks: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, La Conciergerie

Location:
21 Quai de Montebello (75005)

Noteworthy Feature:
The vegetarian platter is an exciting mix of three standout dishes - it changes every month.

9. Les deux Magots

As one of the oldest coffeehouses in Paris, Café de Flore has seen its fair share of hungry and sleep-deprived tourists, along with celebrated French figures. Famed philosophers, writers, and artists including Pablo Picasso, Albert Camus, and Jean-Paul Sartre have graced its seats.

Café de Flore is a perfect example of Art Deco style, and it has remained largely unchanged since the beginning of the 20th century. The café has been the backdrop for many a movie, and it is a regular fixture in French postcards and merchandise.

Although the café is quite expensive, it is a tourist attraction that has graced the 6th districts streets since the 1880s. If you want a more budget-friendly way of visiting the café, visit during breakfast time.

For a slice of history and culture, make a trip to this renowned café, and add yourself to a list of remarkable historical guests.

Nearby Landmarks: Musée D’Orsay, Musée de Cluny, Fontaine Saint-Michel

Location:
6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés (75006)

Noteworthy Feature:
The café remains largely unchanged from the early 20th century, making it a wonderful slice of history and French culture.

10. PARADIS DU FRUIT

Different from the other cafés mentioned on this list, Paradis du Fruit is a "healthy" Parisian café-cum-restaurant that makes healthy food as well as coffees and tasty treats

With multiple outposts in the Parisian capital, Paradis du Fruit can usually be found in convenient areas for sightseeing. The menu is customisable, and the customer has the flexibility to choose exactly what they want to eat (not usual in France!).

As for the sweets, Paradis du Fruit has some scrumptious options that can also cater to Vegan/ Vegetarian/ Gluten-Free diets.

My personal favourite location is the one near Place Saint-Michel, as it offers unparalleled views of the Seine and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

If you and a friend have different cravings - one wants a full lunch, the other prefers simply a sweet and a caffeinated beverage - this café might be just the place to satisfy you both.

Location:
2 Place Saint-Michel (75006)
21 Boulevard Edgar Quinet (75014)