Paris Specialty

When it comes to Ten Belles, all you have to know are your CECs: carbs, eggs, and coffee.

Fragments calls itself an espresso bar. It says so right there on the sign you see walking up Rue des Tournelles in Le Marais. What the sign doesn’t say is that this particular espresso bar is très, très chic.

Café Lomi is a bit out of the way, deep in the Goutte d’Or neighborhood of the 18th arrondissement. But the lack of distraction means it’s a great spot to buckle down, drink endless cappuccinos (it has its own roaster), down one of the light-as-air croissants, and get some work done. The interior is a whimsical mix of antique trunks that act as stand-ins for tables, exposed redbrick walls, and lots of potted green plants. We love the high ceilings and huge windows that combat Paris’s often cloudy days.

In the Marais, Café Pinson is a godsend to the weary Parisian vegetarian. The hearty quinoa risotto and delicate miso soup are a step to counter all that double-cream Brie. If you’re here just to work, though, order a perfectly made almond milk latte and a few protein balls (small nuggets of seeds, dates, and nuts) and settle in among the rustic flagstone walls, checkerboard tables, and decorative Provençal tiles. And the Wi-Fi is super strong and reliable. There’s a second location on the Rue du Faubourg.

The café crème at Loustic is unmatched in Paris, but the interiors of this Marais spot are just as lovely. It’s a narrow but ingeniously designed space, where a long wall of sofa seating pairs with tiny octagonal tables (just big enough for coffee and a book—or a laptop) jutting out of the wall. There’s a back room with a choice of graphic sofas and wicker chairs. Spanish-tiled floors, blush cushions, and plenty of red brick add touches of color, while a consistently bohemian, artsy crowd adds to the ambiance. Drink your way through a Chemex and flip through the supply of art house magazines when you need some downtime.

A good part of the local population is of the opinion that Pierre Hermé makes the best macarons in the city. As for the éclairs, croissants, and cakes? You'll just have to do the taste-testing for yourself. This particular outpost is massive, with a sumptuous Art Deco interior to match the contents of the pastry cases. A pretty box of Hermé’s delicately-flavored macarons veloutés (essentially meringue-like macaroons stuffed with a creamy filling) never fails to impress and makes for the perfect, easily-packed gift to bring back home.

The exterior of À la Mère de Famille—an emerald-green storefront with more windows than walls—looks like a jewelry box, or rather, a chocolate box; you can see the cakes and chocolates and towers of beautifully packaged bars from down the block. Open since 1761, one of the many pleasures of this particular confectioner is the breadth of old-world caramels, nougat, boiled sweets, and marshmallows. And nothing much has changed inside, either. Taking in the old tile floor, the floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with preserves and syrups, and the elaborate table displays as you make your way to the ice cream counter (go for the chocolate) is an exercise in both nostalgic pleasure and calorie control.

First, a disclaimer: Stohrer is closed the first two weeks of August, however, that last hot-as-soup fortnight is ripe for sugar-loading. Proof that treat trends are pretty consistent, the shop was founded in 1730 as the official pâtissier for Louis XV. The same cream-stuffed éclairs, delicate crème Anglaise tarts studded with berries, and rose macarons have been devoured by the French for the last 300 years. The bakery is theatrically beautiful, with glass-paneled walls (giving patrons near 360-degree views of all the sweets), chandeliers, and a full frescoed ceiling—an especially delightful experience for little ones.

Maisie Café brings a taste of LA juice culture to Paris. The brainchild of former luxury exec turned wellness enthusiast Isabella Capece, Maisie Café has an all-vegan, organic menu that reflects the more health-conscious direction many new Parisian spots are heading in. Breakfast is light, with acai bowls, matcha granola, juices, and shakes, while lunch is pure West Coast in the sense that most of the dishes are bowl-based: brown rice or soba noodles topped with the freshest veggies, nuts, and seeds. The fashion pack who hit Paris for the shows are big fans of Maisie's cures—hot and cold soups, elixirs, and broths for every ailment, all available for delivery. If you do choose to sit in, the interior feels like a balmy escape to Miami with tropical-print walls and pastel seating.

Paris is one of those special cities that enthusiastically clings on to the more traditional, elegant remnants of the past—Angelina is an embodiment of this (delightful) policy. A classic tearoom that first opened in 1903, the over-the-top Belle Epoque interiors create the ambiance for a truly decadent hour (or two) of sweet indulgence. The sculptural cakes and classic patisserie that line the glass cases are the perfect accompaniment to the main event: Angelina's world-renowned hot chocolate. Choosing from the extensive chocolat chaud menu is no easy feat—we recommend the African hot chocolate, made from a blend of cocoa from Niger, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast whipped into hot milk and cream for the smoothest, slightly sweet, slightly bitter cup. Aside from sweet treats, Angelina serves up well-executed classic French dishes like croque-madame and quiche Lorraine but really it's the chocolate—and the people-watching—that makes this Paris institution a favorite with locals and tourists alike.