At the recommendation of my good friend Lindsey (who I turn to for all Paris food recs), I paid a visit to one of her favorite cafés, Loustic. Situated on a charming side street in the Marais, the vibrant, vintage café sign is the unmistakable marker of this hidden gem. Fun fact – after chatting with owner Channa Galhenage, he told me the idea for the signage came to him in a dream (think Elvis in Vegas), and was handcrafted in Tennessee! The chic + cozy boutique café serves up roasts from Belgian coffee mecca Caffènation in espresso, filter and chemex variations. In addition, the menu has been thoughtfully curated with selections from Emperor Norton + The Kale Project (shout out to my girl Kristen). I chose the chai tea latte (which I heard was amazing), and seriously–it was incredible. I’ve had dreams about it. Accompanied by a delicious quiche, I lingered there for quite some time, planning my next stop, chatting with Channa, and absorbing the atmosphere. I was smitten with the interiors, by hip designer Dorothee Meilichzon (known for her bold use of patterns), and I’m officially a fan. The Hermés wallpaper had me at hello. This haven for locals is a strong presence in the hot Paris coffee scene, and is my favorite out of the few I visited. Be sure to include it in your itinerary!

 Loustic | 40 rue Chapon 75003 Paris