The Winter That Nevers Ends
and two new favorite coffee shops in Paris
This summer is the winter that never ends. It is the middle of July and it is grey, rainy, and absolutely frigid here in Paris. Normally at this point in the year, we are all lounging about like lizards on every sunny terrasse that we can find and, instead, I find myself ensconced inside cozy coffee shops consuming hot beverages to warm myself.
I have two particular favorites at the moment, both are brand new and already off to excellent starts. They deserve your time and attention.
Banh Mi Croissant Sandwiches. A Vietnamese version of Turkish eggs with yogurt, peanuts, and chili garlic oil. Beautiful viennoiseries from Anthony Nguyen at La Datcha. Chocolate fleur de seul cookies topped with cashew praline. Cheese and chive biscuits (for my fellow Americans). Pandan honeycomb cake. This is just a list of dishes. They’re all good.
So is the coffee-- 100% Vietnamese Arabica. You can get your standard espresso or latte, but you can also get pho spiced cold brew, iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk, or iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk and coconut milk. It tastes like a caffeinated coconut milkshake and I’m here for it.
Opened only a few weeks ago by Adeline Gobin and Viet Nguyen (formerly the owners of the excellent but now shuttered restaurant An di An di) in the old Café Oberkampf space, it’s a wonderful spot for breakfast, lunch or goûter with many creative beverage options and kind service.
3 Rue Neuve Popincourt, 75011
Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm
One of the things that drives me most insane in Parisian cafés is when you receive a scone with what is essentially a thimble of butter, cream or jam. Give me a proper portion, please, so that I can appropriately slather it. Café Lune gives you a normal amount of cream and jam and, that, in and of itself, is abnormal in Paris. I appreciate it. The hot chocolate from Nicholas Berger was great on this grey day and not too sweet. It’s a calm, quiet spot and they’re absolutely lovely. In upcoming days, they’ll have a few outdoor tables down below for if we ever get a spot of sunshine.
57 Rue de Menilmontant, 75020
Closed on Wednesdays