Where are the most interesting drinks in Paris?

Beyond haute couture, art, and Haussmannian architecture, café culture remains a cornerstone of Parisian identity. It began to take shape in the 17th and 18th centuries, when the tradition of gathering in private salons to exchange works and ideas flourished among European elites. Eventually, this practice spilled into the public sphere, as cafés began to pop up across the city—inviting artists, visionaries, and intellectuals like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Karl Marx to debate life, philosophy, and culture over a drink (and maybe a few cigarettes). The first known café in Paris opened in 1672, a humble stand in a Saint-Germain market run by an Armenian seller. But it was Café Procope, founded in 1686 on Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie by Sicilian chef Procopio Cutò, that laid the blueprint for what a café is today: a corner for conversation and community (though it has since evolved into a restaurant, which still operates to this day). By the end of the 1700s, nearly 2,000 cafés dotted the city. Today, that number hovers around 1,500. Though it went down following the Covid crisis, it’s far from disappearing. In fact, as the world has slowly recovered from the 2020 pandemic, so too have Parisian cafés. In December 2024, Le Monde reported on the rise of a new wave of coffee spots dubbed néo-cafés. These modern cafés are redefining the Parisian coffee experience. Traditional espressos at counters are giving way to a younger, more global approach to café culture, one that favors curated interiors and colorful, inventive drinks like creamy matcha lattes, ube-infused creations, and wellness-focused, collagen-boosted  options. Here, we round up some of our favorite new spots in the city.

Ube latte at Kape

With the recent matcha shortage, Parisian drink lovers have quickly found a new flavor: ube. French Vogue even calling it “the new matcha,” ube is quietly stealing the spotlight in the city’s evolving café scene. Ube tastes like a dreamy mix of vanilla and hazelnut, but with its own unique twist. And as a beloved staple in Filipino cuisine, where better to try it than at one of Paris’ pioneering Filipino cafés: Kape. "My first encounter with ube was during a trip to the Philippines," shares Kape co-founder Aurélie Vechot to nss. "It felt natural to feature it in our drinks.” Creating the perfect balance, however, took time. “The challenge was pairing the ube’s deep flavor with the right coffee. Together with my co-founder Jessica Gonzales, who is a Paris-born Filipino, we tested different blends until we found one that complemented the sweetness without overpowering it. We wanted a drink that felt both familiar and exciting.” The result? Kape’s signature ube latte—a creamy, velvety celebration of Filipino flavors in every sip. Aurelie also shares with us an insider tip: If you're feeling adventurous, you can order her off-menu recommendation. “Try the ube matcha latte or the ube matcha affogato. The earthy, slightly bitter notes of matcha combined with the creamy sweetness of ube create a surprisingly harmonious balance. It’s not something you'd expect—but it works beautifully.” While not officially listed on the menu (yet), it’s definitely worth asking for, and Aurelie is happy to make one for you!

Blue Latte at 48Collagen

While we’re loving the sun these past few days in Paris, our skin might be telling a different story. Post-summer, it’s common to face the not-so-fun boomerang effects of sun exposure with grainy texture, breakouts, dark spots, and a dull, tired complexion. Enter 48Collagen, the brainchild of Amandine Fornot and the first-ever biohacking selfcare cafe in Paris. This innovative concept is all about beauty from the inside out, starting with health-boosting drinks enriched with active ingredients, paired with LED light therapy to supercharge cellular regeneration and help you get your glow back. On the menu? A dreamy selection of wellness lattes and smoothies: pink matcha, mushroom coffee, the vibrant tie & dye smoothie, and our current obsession—the blue latte priced at €8.80. Made with blue spirulina extract, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla, it’s designed to nourish your skin and boost radiance from within. To take your selfcare session to the next level, Amandine recommends pairing your drink with a 12-minute LED mask session (€25) to kickstart rejuvenation and collagen production.

Le Buddy at Buddy Buddy

Buddy Buddy is a space where great music sets the tone for a laid-back experience—whether you're catching up with friends or savoring a moment alone with coffee in hand. With queues always winding out the door, this 10th arrondissement spot is a testament to its dedicated following and enviable location just steps from Canal Saint-Martin. Most locals grab their drinks to-go and stroll along the canal, soaking in the vibe. Founded in Brussels in 2020, Buddy Buddy is the world’s first nut butter coffee shop, bringing its unique vision to Paris. The mission is simple: to celebrate the versatility of nut butters and specialty coffee, infusing each drink with creativity, care, and a little bit of love. A crowd favorite is their signature Le Buddy, a delicious mix of peanut butter, oat milk, espresso, and raw cacao. Every item on the menu, from lattes to pastries, plays with textures and flavors, all featuring their homemade nut butters crafted in their Brussels atelier. As a B-Corp certified company, sustainability is embedded in their ethos, guiding every decision from sourcing to production. Beyond their cafés, their nut butters are available in over 500 retailers across 10 countries—but nothing beats enjoying it canal-side, Parisian-style.

Sesame Latte at Irasshai

Tucked into a prime spot at 40 Rue du Louvre, this space is more than just a café, it’s a whole experience. From beautifully curated grocery shelves to a warm, inviting restaurant, it offers a slow, sensory escape right in the bustle of Paris. Among its standouts is the sesame latte—a creamy, fragrant blend that pairs the deep, nutty notes of black sesame with creamy milk. In Japan, black sesame is more than just a flavor, it’s long been linked to beauty and longevity, and is a staple in both traditional desserts and modern drinks. The sesame latte taps into a trend that’s defined Tokyo café culture since the 2010s, offering something indulgent without caffeine high. According to Irasshai, sesame is considered a pure, meditative ingredient by Zen temples and often used in shōjin ryōri, the plant-based cuisine rooted in Buddhist philosophy. Here, its rich, slightly bitter profile brings depth and calm to a drink that’s both comforting and quietly energizing. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just looking for a comforting, caffeine-free option, this latte hits the spot. And if you want to recreate it at home, they’ve thoughtfully shared the recipe on their website.