Food France

Hemingway’s Footsteps: Historic Cafes in Paris

 

historic cafe paris

La Closerie des Lilas

Hands down my absolute favorite Parisian brasserie! Frequented by Hemingway and other celebrities old and new, the place lives up to its name with some of the most mouthwatering dishes. Be sure to try the haddock + poached egg + spinach in butter cream sauce – it’s INCREDIBLE. The duck + potatoes + peaches + candied almonds is also amazing!

historic cafes paris

Cafe de Flore

As one of the oldest and most prestigious cafes in Paris, Cafe de Flore has a history of famous clientele. This is a fantastic people watching spot, next to a bustling square with many shops.

historic cafes paris

Les Deux Magots

Right across from Cafe de Flore, this historic cafe competes with its list of famous patrons including Hemingway (of course), Albert Camus, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, Julia Child, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, etc.

Les Deux Magots.

La Coupole

A beautiful decorated restaurant with a lively atmosphere for a lunch meal, La Coupole offers great savory courses and sweet desserts. I mean, just look at those profiteroles!

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La Rotonde Montparnasse

A famous historic cafe in the Montparnasse Quarter frequented by Picasso, La Rotonde’s interior is both glamorous and carries a bohemian charm.

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Croissants

You’ll be surprised what you find in little corner bakeries with a variety of pastries – I ate until my arteries were running butter! My favorite is definitely the pain au chocolat, or a simple flakey chocolate croissant. Never gets old!

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La Creperie de Josselin

Not so much a historic cafe, but a well known creperie specializing in – you guessed it – crepes! There’s a wonderful homey atmosphere, and an abundance of sweet and savoury crepes to choose from (I recommend anything with nutella or the specialty crepe with egg, bacon and creme fraiche is amazing.)

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Picnic by the Seine

By far one of the best experiences in Paris you can have is a lovely meal by the Seine. Pack up a basket of fruit, cheeses, cuts of meat and a bottle of wine and head to the river for an evening picnic!

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With so many hole in the wall cafes, what are some of your favorite ones in Paris?

 


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  • Annika | 457 Australia August 17, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    I am hungry right now after reading your blog! The photo of the bacon is so tempting.

  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle August 18, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Well, now I’m STARVING! We just went on a European vacation a few months ago, and one of my favorite parts of the trip was Parisian food. Yum!

  • Vera Sweeney August 18, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Oh my gosh all this food looks amazing!! I love when we travel trying new foods and cafes like this!!

  • Heather @ Country Life, City Wife August 18, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Well, I will be very honest….I haven’t enjoyed much of my trips to Paris. I much prefer Belgium. I did have a great little cheese plate at a fromagerie about 30 miles outside of Paris in Chantilly. The wine there was SUPERB, too! 🙂

  • Mistee Dawn August 18, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Wow. I have always wanted to go to Paris. And the food! All of that food looks so amazing. Some really great cafes.

  • The Cubicle Chick August 18, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    This made me want to visit Paris today. These meals look so yummy and I can’t wait until I travel there. – Yolonda

  • Nancy L. August 18, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    This is a trip of a lifetime! How romantic to sit and have a picnic by the Seine! Being a carboholic, I would have to throw in a big crusty French bread in my picnic basket, too!
    I’m a huge fan of crepes and would love to get lost for a few days in La Creperie de Josselin. I could eat crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
    Thanks for sharing your lovely trip. The photos are gorgeous!

  • Gwendolyn Mulholland August 18, 2016 at 9:25 pm

    I have never been abroad but these historic cafes in Paris look like amazing places to visit. Plus the food that you have shown looks amazing and is making me hungry even at this late hour. I would love to picnic by the Seine and think that would be a must do while in Paris.

    • Pier Nirandara August 18, 2016 at 11:22 pm

      Thank you! And yes, a must do for when you visit Paris ?

  • Carol Bryant August 18, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    WOWZA, that sounds (and looks, of course) fantastic. I have a friend and his spouse going to Paris this weekend for 2 weeks. I am going to have to share this post with them. I love the looks of all of these!

    • Pier Nirandara August 18, 2016 at 11:22 pm

      That’s amazing, please do! I hope they have a fantastic time ☺️

  • Krystal August 19, 2016 at 5:41 am

    I can only hope to one day visit Paris! I would love to have a cup of coffee in an outdoor cafe and chat with new friends. I have never had authentic French food unless macarons count from Disney’s EPCOT! 😉

  • Lynndee August 19, 2016 at 6:22 am

    What a stunning view of the river. That would certainly be a great spot for a picnic. Would certainly love to visit the city of love someday.

  • Kathy August 19, 2016 at 8:41 am

    That sounds like an amazing restaurant. I would love to go there. The food looks so good! I could go for some of it right now.

  • Jacqui Odell August 19, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Wow! The food looks amazing! I wish I had some of it now to eat.

  • Kristy August 19, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    Although I ate not long ago, this post has left me starving! Wow — that is some delicious looking food! I’ve always wanted to visit Paris for the views and sites, but never gave much thought to the food, until now. I want to visit so bad!

  • Gabriel August 19, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    Might have to add a tour of my favorite authors favorite eating places to my bucket list, what a cool idea.

  • Marielle Altenor August 19, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    So many delicious places! The best cafes that I’ve visited have been hole in the wall kind of places.

  • Emma Spellman August 19, 2016 at 5:01 pm

    I love eggs! I hope I get to try this place someday!

  • Lori Felix August 20, 2016 at 11:29 am

    I would love to be able to see Paris one day. If I ever make it there I’d want to eat at La Coupole.

  • Bites for Foodies August 20, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    This post has me reminiscing! I visited Paris years ago and have been dying to go back! I did live in Nice fro a year…so I could tell you where all the fantastic cafes are there 😉

    • Pier Nirandara August 21, 2016 at 9:15 am

      That sounds AMAZING! Wowww, then I’ll be the one to take your recommendations when I’m there 😉

  • Parpar de Real August 23, 2016 at 9:45 am

    I wish I could visit Paris someday. I want to try their food

  • www.kidfriendlyeurope101.com August 24, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Om nom nom! I am hoping to go to Paris for a girls weekend! Maybe next year sometime. 🙂 LOOKS YUMMY!

  • mayatheexplorer22 August 31, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    Have you ever read The Paris Wife? Seems like the perfect book to bring along to all of the cafes, which by the way look delicious!

    • Pier Nirandara August 31, 2016 at 7:05 pm

      I have not, but it does sound perfect! 😀