The 41 Best Café Terraces in Paris
Sitting on a café terrace is the most Parisian thing you can do, and the easiest place to overpay. Near the big sights, the chairs face the street, the espresso is bitter and the croque monsieur came out of a plastic bag.
These 41 café terraces in Paris were cross-checked across Time Out, Le Fooding and the guides locals trust, so the coffee and the food are worth the seat. Up early? Pair this list with our breakfast picks. Serious about your flat white? Our coffee shops are the place for it.
A historic Parisian brasserie open around the clock, serving traditional French fare and seafood platters in the heart of Les Halles since 1946.
The iconic Parisian salon de thé where the double-decker macaron was born, serving exquisite pastries and tea time in a Belle Époque setting on the world's most famous avenue.
A charming neighborhood bistrot in Belleville serving seasonal French cuisine with natural wines in a bright, convivial atmosphere that feels like a village escape.
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A beloved neighborhood bistro near Place Vendôme serving authentic French terroir products and legendary sandwiches from morning until late night.
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A historic Art Deco monument where Parisian brasserie tradition meets artistic heritage in the heart of Montparnasse.
A cozy brunch haven serving inventive seasonal cuisine and signature crispy bariolés triangles across two charming Parisian locations.
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A chic Louvre-facing institution blending inventive Scandinavian-influenced cuisine with colonial charm, open daily until 2am.
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An iconic Parisian café where literary history meets timeless French tradition on the most celebrated square of the Left Bank.
A vibrant food hall in a converted SNCF warehouse near Gare de Lyon, featuring diverse international street food stands, organic local produce, and a sprawling 1,500 m² garden terrace.
A pioneering vegetarian restaurant with two Paris locations, serving seasonal sharing plates crafted from locally sourced, regenerative ingredients.
A Franco-British bakery and coffee shop championing artisan sourdough, specialty coffee, and eco-responsible practices across three Parisian locations.
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A vegetarian-forward bistro near Canal Saint-Martin where Swedish minimalism meets French market cuisine, paired with an exceptional selection of natural wines and sake.
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An American-style bakery and diner serving homemade pies, fresh bagels, and Brooklyn-inspired organic fare in the heart of Paris's 18th arrondissement.
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A sprawling 2,500m² Italian food emporium in the heart of Le Marais, featuring seven restaurants, over 7,000 authentic products, and a vibrant marketplace atmosphere.
An authentic Vietnamese street food haven serving exceptional bánh mì and bubble tea in a relaxed neighborhood setting near Porte d'Ivry.
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A pioneering eco-responsible café-cantine housed in a former Petite Ceinture railway station, combining urban farming, DIY workshops, and sustainable dining since 2014.
Since 1686, Le Procope stands as Paris's oldest café, where Voltaire, Rousseau, and revolutionaries once gathered, now serving classic French cuisine in an authentically preserved 18th-century setting.
A pioneering specialty coffee roastery and artisan bakery serving exceptional sourdough bread and carefully sourced coffee across three beloved Parisian locations since 2012.
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A legendary Art Deco café in Saint-Germain-des-Prés where Parisian literary history meets timeless French tradition, open from dawn to late night every day of the year.
A beloved Oberkampf institution serving natural wines and European-inspired small plates in a retro 1960s setting that's been drawing crowds for years.
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A historic Second Empire jewel serving classic French cuisine in an opulent Napoleon III setting, steps from the Opéra Garnier since 1862.
A stylish neo-bistrot designed by Luke Edward Hall, serving seasonal French cuisine and natural wines from morning until midnight near Paris's major train stations.
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A luminous neo-50s bistrot in the 11th arrondissement serving creative seasonal small plates and natural wines from morning coffee to late-night tapas.
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A welcoming neighborhood bistro serving authentic French regional cuisine in a warm, convivial atmosphere.
A Portuguese pâtisserie in the Haut-Marais dedicated to the art of the pastel de nata, prepared fresh throughout the day.
From dawn to dinner, this Groupe Richer gem serves modern bistro fare with Asian influences and house-made Italian gelato on a sun-drenched 45-seat terrace.
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An Australian-inspired coffee shop in Montmartre's 18th arrondissement, serving seasonal brunch and virtuous lattes in an industrial-chic setting with Écotable Level 2 certification.
A vintage cocktail bar nestled in a former 1910 pharmacy, serving creative libations and refined small plates on a charming tree-lined terrace.
A pioneering bean-to-bar chocolate manufacture where artisanal craftsmanship meets exceptional cacao sourced from Peru, Tanzania, Belize, and Vietnam.
A joyful, eco-conscious guinguette serving Mediterranean tapas in one of Paris's most beautiful parks, where festive vibes meet inclusive community spirit.
A sprawling four-story brasserie at the foot of Montmartre, serving traditional French cuisine from breakfast to late night, crowned with a rooftop overlooking Sacré-Cœur.
A sunny anglophone coffee shop in Goutte d'Or serving creative vegan brunch and homemade kombucha.
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A modern bistro in the 12th arrondissement where French tradition meets global influences through a weekly-changing menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients.
Paris's premier destination for freshly baked, artisan cookies that redefine indulgence with their signature soft, chewy texture.
A timeless Parisian bistro serving traditional French fare at unbeatable prices in a Belle Époque setting near Place des Victoires.
A sophisticated neighborhood cocktail bar blending Art Nouveau elegance with expertly crafted drinks and curated small plates in Paris's 16th arrondissement.
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Founded by actor Terence Hill, this authentic Italian gelateria crafts 100% natural, gluten-free gelato using traditional recipes from Umbria.
A neighborhood artisan bakery in Paris 12 where traditional French baking meets creative weekend collaborations and homemade touches.
A beloved specialty coffee roastery and artisan bakery serving exceptional sourdough bread, house-made pastries, and expertly brewed coffee in the heart of the 6th arrondissement.
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A charming Belle Époque bistrot serving traditional French classics in a historic setting between Les Invalides and École Militaire.
France's best roaster and 2024 Espresso Champion crafting exceptional specialty coffees in cozy Parisian boutiques across the city.
Finding the best café terraces in Paris
A good terrace is a mix of three things: what's in the cup, what's on the plate, and what's in front of you. The places below get at least two of them right, and each place page tells you what to order and when the good seats free up.
The postcard terraces, done well
In Saint-Germain, Les Deux Magots faces the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the oldest in Paris, with street performers on the square. Reserve if you want a table facing the church, and order the hot chocolate. Across the river, Le Fumoir looks straight at the Louvre, stays open daily until 2am and does a well-loved Sunday brunch. On the Champs-Élysées, the terrace at Ladurée is prime people-watching; if it's full, the winter garden inside is a bright plan B. Café de Flore is in the results too, a few steps from Les Deux Magots.
Terraces with more room to breathe
Near Gare de Lyon, Ground Control fills a former railway warehouse with street food stands and a 1,500 m² garden terrace; it stays open until 1am on Friday and Saturday, so come around 7pm for a good seat. In Belleville, Le Cadoret has only a few outdoor tables looking onto the street: arrive at the start of service. Laptop in tow? Ten Belles Bread on rue Bréguet has a terrace and room to linger over sourdough and a cortado.
Where to look
The 6th arrondissement has the most café terraces on this list, followed by the 18th, then the 1st and 2nd. Prices run from a cheap coffee to a proper lunch, with plenty at the low end. For a glass of wine rather than a coffee, switch to our bars with a terrace; for a full meal outside, see the restaurants with a terrace. Browse all our cafés if the weather turns.
Before you sit down
Terrace tables are first come, first served in most cafés, so go early on sunny weekends. At Maslow, on the quai de la Mégisserie, even a reservation won't guarantee an outdoor seat. Open the map to see which terrace is closest, then check each place page for the must-try dishes and prices before you order.