La Rotonde – Paris
Café de la Rotonde is our favorite of the much-ballyhooed ‘grand cafés’ of Paris, although Le Dome, directly across the street is impressive as well, both in terms of décor and culinary prowess. The décor features paneled walls (what few there are) and striking red upholstery with walls strewn with artwork from revered contemporary artist Amedeo Modigliani, who is said to have frequented this café with contemporaries Pablo Picasso and Nina Hamnett. Red wicker chairs line the sidewalk of this impressive café. The American breakfast was perfectly executed.
Hardware Société – Paris
Hardware Société is an Australian-born café that found its way to Paris. Highly popular with a probable wait for a table, the restaurant is pleasantly decorated and service is acceptable or better. Execution varies. Sometimes, flawless. But on a recent visit, the eggs on my Prawn Benedict were slightly undercooked. Start the morning of your visit to the Sácre Couer with breakfast here. Arrive at opening to avoid the wait for table then make your way up the hill to the church after breakfast.
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Zia – Paris
Zia, a tiny restaurant near the Eiffel Tower, features a creative menu with an international flare that is flawlessly executed. In a single pleasantly decorated, albeit crowded room, a few diners at a time can enjoy what is arguably the best breakfast spot in Paris. The restaurant is small. Anticipate a short wait for table.
Coutume – Paris
Coutume originated as a specialty coffee shop in the 7th and has now expanded to a chain of half a dozen or so cafés throughout the city. A few locations offer a limited breakfast menu. My breakfast at the original Babylone location in the 7th Arrondissement was perfectly executed (poached eggs were perfect) and the service was spot-on. The Babylone location is totally unpretentious and laid-back. Subsequent locations have a more contemporary, chain feel to them … but the coffee is great in all locations.
Café Louise – Paris
Why Café Louise? If you go to see the highly overrated Café de Flore or Les Deuxe Magots in Saint Germaine you’ll likely see a long line of tourists waiting for a table, like cattle following others over the cliff. Don’t despair. Walk across the street to the small, but impressively decorated Café Louise for breakfast. The American Breakfast with eggs and bacon, toast or croissant, coffee and juice is reasonably priced (half the cost of the overrated cafés across the street) and perfectly executed. On a recent visit the service was quick and the waitress was friendly. And … there was immediate seating.