Ten Belles (Paris 6)

The food at Ten Belles reflects the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship that defines their coffee program. This isn't a full-service restaurant—it's a café and bakery where every item is thoughtfully made to either accompany your coffee or stand as a satisfying light meal on its own.

The star of the bakery program is undoubtedly their pain au levain—naturally leavened sourdough bread that represents traditional baking at its finest. Made with time-honored techniques that allow the dough to develop complex flavors through slow fermentation, this bread features the characteristics that sourdough lovers seek: a deeply flavorful, slightly tangy crumb with an irregular, open structure, encased in a beautifully caramelized, crackling crust. It's the kind of bread that needs nothing more than good butter, though it also forms the foundation for their excellent sandwiches.

Their house-made cookies have achieved something of a cult following among regulars. These aren't dainty, delicate affairs—they're substantial, satisfying cookies with the kind of texture and flavor that comes from quality ingredients and proper technique. They're the perfect sweet treat to accompany your afternoon coffee, offering that ideal balance of indulgence and substance.

The pastry selection varies based on what's been baked that day, but everything adheres to the same principles: quality ingredients, traditional methods, and honest flavors. You won't find elaborate, architectural pastries here—instead, expect well-executed classics that taste as good as they look rustic and appealing in the display case.

For those seeking something more substantial, Ten Belles offers sandwiches built on their excellent sourdough bread. These are straightforward, satisfying options that make the most of quality ingredients without unnecessary complication. The focus remains on letting good bread and fresh fillings speak for themselves.

Everything is available for takeaway, making it easy to grab provisions for a picnic in nearby Luxembourg Gardens or simply to enjoy at home. But there's something particularly satisfying about eating fresh-baked goods in the space where they were made, still warm and at their absolute peak.

The food program at Ten Belles isn't trying to be comprehensive—it's focused, doing a few things exceptionally well rather than attempting to be all things to all people. This clarity of purpose is part of what makes it so successful and beloved.