9 Types of Coffee to Order in Paris

How do I order coffee in Paris?

When you’re in Paris, it’s easy to get a bit confused about ordering coffess in cafés. I hope this description might help somewhat :-)

For all you coffee lovers who love to savour your Italian Arabica-style coffee beans, stop right here – you won’t get coffee like that in the majority of French cafés. Before you start to despair, I have found a couple of places in Paris where you can buy your Italian-style espressos and lattes (links below). The normal coffee sold in Paris is not made from Arabica beans, but is made from Chicory – a very different flavour.

These descriptions listed below are what the French people ask for in a café.

Two prices, same coffee … why?

You may notice people standing at the bar in cafés – they will pay a cheaper price than the people sitting down at tables, who require table service, so if you’re in a hurry you can save yourself some money by drinking at the bar or counter.

Normal sized cups

• Un Café : a normal sized cup of Chicory coffee.
• Un Café au lait : if served at breakfast time, this can arrive in bowl (un bol) – don’t be alarmed, this is quite normal. May also be served in a normal sized cup of coffee with a jar/small pot of milk.

Small cups

• Un Express : an espresso in a small cup.
• Une Noisette : a small espresso coffee with a dash of milk/cream in it (a macchiato).
• Une Crème : an espresso half-filled with warmed milk (small café au lait).
• Un Allongé : an espresso coffee with double the amount of hot water (weak black coffee).
• Un Serré : an espresso coffee with half the usual amount of hot water (strong black coffee).
• Un Déca : a decaf coffee.
• Un Américain : filter coffee (might not be available in some of the non-touristy areas).

I took this photo of the Cafe Americain – one place you can certainly get American-style filtered coffee.

Related Links:

Where to find soy latte in Paris

Teena recommends where to find Italian-style coffee in Paris

Teena’s tips on making the best Italian coffee in Paris – at home