My Favourite Restaurants & Cafés in Latin Quarter Paris

Café culture is ingrained in the fabric of Paris. Outdoor seating is available all year round, with heat-lamps and blankets provided in winter. Seats are set up outside cafés facing outwards so you can watch the world go by. The city is undoubtedly set up to allow unadulterated people-watching while sipping coffee (or wine). Paris just does cafés really well. There are thousands of fantastic cafés in Paris, and hundreds in Le Quartier Latin (5th arrondissement) alone. Here are my favourite restaurants and cafes in Latin Quarter Paris:

Cave la Bourgogne

144 rue Mouffetard – Metro: Censier-Daubenton

Cave la Bourgogne stole my heart 20 years ago. One of my friends had ordered the Andouillette (tripe sausage), so the waitress had kindly double checked that was actually what he wanted (it’s an acquired taste)! I have been a loyal customer ever since, and make sure I go back every time I am in Paris.  It is near Square Saint-Médard, which is at the bottom of Paris’s oldest street, Rue Mouffetard. This area is far enough away from the centre of town to avoid the exorbitant tourist prices near the big monuments. Yet still close enough to wander down to from the Seine.

Cave la Bourgogne have a fabulous a la carte menu, as well as delicious daily specials – all traditional french food. Try the Salade Complète – it is hands-down my favourite salad in the world! As the name would indicate, the wine list is pretty good too. The best bit, they are dog-friendly too.

La Grange Aux Canards

23 Rue Frédéric Sauton – Metro: Maubert – Mutualité

Have you ever had sautéed potatoes that made you happy to be alive? Well, if not, then go to La Grange Aux Canards. This little hole in the wall is a block from the Seine and has a few tables out the front so you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the 5th arrondissement. I enjoy stopping here for some confit of duck for lunch and a kir pêche aperitif. Next door is a lively bar that shows sport, so if you visit Le Grange Aux Canards in the evening and want to keep the night going, you have options!

La Pie Noir

5 Rue de la Montagne Ste Geneviève – Metro: Maubert – Mutualité

La Pie Noir is a new addition to my favourite places in the Latin Quarter list. While not a café, this restaurant gets honourable mention for having fantastic staff and a wonderful ethos. Bringing the classics of Breton cuisine to Paris, in a refined and delightful manner.

We celebrated our anniversary there and had such a delightful time enjoying the menu and wine selection.

La Petite

53 Rue Lacépède, Place de la Contrescarpe – Metro: Place Monge

La Petite is one of my favourite cafés for an aperitif – it is a little bit hipster, and has a good happy hour. As well as fantastic jugs of sangria. I enjoy their small plates of salami and cheese too. La Petite sits on Place de la Contrescarpe, a wonderful square full of cafés at the top of Rue Mouffetard. This whole square is a-buzz with activity, especially on weekends, and is perfect for people-watching. La Petite, like most cafés in Paris, opens early for breakfast, and stays open until very late as a bar.

Staying in the Latin Quarter in Paris is a delight.  

When searching for Latin Quarter hotels, you can use the search terms ‘5th arrondissment’, ‘Pantheon’, or ‘Sorbonne’ as identifiers.

Café Delmas

2 Place de la Contrescarpe – Metro: Place Monge

On the other side of Place de la Contrescarpe is one of my favourite cafés for coffee and a simple breakfast. Delicious espresso and a croissant or pain au chocolat does the trick. The best bit is the huge array of seating – there is a sun room, indoor seating, as well as outdoor seats, so you can pick your ideal spot to enjoy your coffee. Café Delmas has a great 2 hour happy hour (known as ‘l’apero’ in France, ‘Cinq a Sept’ in Quebec). I recommend the mojitos!

Le Bar de Fer

7 Rue du Pot de Fer – Metro: Place Monge

Rue du Pot de Fer is full of cafés and budget restaurants for those who want to experience the vibe of the Latin Quarter. They vary in quality, but you will always find a bargain set menu (prix fixe). Onion soup, moules frites, and crème brûlée all make an appearance!

Le Bar de Fear is not technically a café, it’s a wine bar. But I mention it, as it has delicious charcuterie and cheese platters and top quality live music. It is chilled out, covered in graffiti, and offers a fabulous wine selection. It’s a lovely hideaway from the bustle of Rue du Pot de Fer outside.

Read my guest post for the travel blog, Getting Stamped, to understand more about the Paris arrondissements – ‘Paris Neighborhoods Decoded – Where to Stay in Paris’

My Favourite Restaurants & Cafes in Latin Quarter Paris

Without a doubt, my favourite area of the 5th arrondissement / Le Quartier Latin Paris is on and around Rue Mouffetard. Purely because it is largely pedestrianised and has a really lovely laid-back foodie vibe. The Latin Quarter has a diverse range of inhabitants due to the proximity to universities and the city centre. There are fabulous markets, great shops, and interesting sights in the 5th arrondissement. You can read more about my favourite things to do in this area in my Beginner’s Guide to Paris. If you are short on time, I have also written a guide to 24 Hours in Paris – which is a great jumping off point for a quick visit.

I hope this has inspired you to visit one of the many amazing cafes in Latin Quarter Paris – santé!

Do you want to visit Paris but need some help planning your itinerary? Read all my France content.

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.8 STM; and an iPhone.