The Best Coffee Shops In Reims, France

Since its opening in 1930 – making it one of the oldest cafes in Reims – until the present day, the Café du Palais has been entertaining patrons in its historic city center establishment. The family-run bistro has a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks, meals and delicious desserts. These can all be enjoyed under the spectacular art-deco, stained-glass ceiling. While you’re there, be sure to admire the eclectic photos, paintings and various figurines that adorn the interior. It is as much a curiosity shop as it is a cafe.

Great quality service is on the menu in this typical French brasserie. You’ll find a selection of hot drinks – the café gourmand is particularly tasty. There are also cold beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. This includes, somewhat unsurprisingly, a wide selection of wines. There’s also a number of main meals and desserts to choose from at very reasonable prices. Choose to have your coffee indoors. Alternatively, sit out on the terrace where, since Le Café de Reims is situated on one of Reims most popular streets, you can watch the world go by.

Pain et Compagnie is half bakery, half cafe, but a 100 percent enjoyable dining experience. The cafe, which is located on the ever-popular Place Drouet d’Erlon in the very center of Reims, is open throughout the day. It serves great quality coffees, cold drinks and freshly baked pastries to tourists and locals. If you’re there in summer be sure to try one of their ice-cream desserts. These are just as pleasing on the eye as they are on the tastebuds.

The menu of this Reims’ coffee shop changes from week to week but everything is always made fresh on site. On entering the charmingly decorated cafe you’ll be greeted by the glass-fronted cake counter, filled to the brim with freshly baked goods for you to sample. The formule Goûter (the sample menu), which includes a dessert and a hot or cold drink, is an inexpensive way to try the best of what Harold has to offer. Unsurprisingly, Harold is a popular Reims hotspot, so booking is advised if you want to avoid disappointment.

Columbus Café & Co. is very much a coffee shop à la française.Here you’ll find a Gallic take on the traditional American coffee house chains. The Reims branch of this France-wide coffee house takes pride in its freshly roasted coffees. You can have your coffee to stay in or take out, a choice which is something of a rarity in French coffee shops. Also impressive is its vast array of cold drinks, including fresh-fruit smoothies, iced teas, milkshakes and coffee frappes.

The Lion de Belfort in the very heart of Reims should be on everybody’s to-do list when in this northern French city. With opening hours from early in the morning until, well, early the next morning, there’s really no excuse not to visit. Le Lion de Belfort has many faces, serving everything from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner. Its prime location means that it’s a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee at any time of the day. Le Lion de Belfort | © P.K.-Paris/Flickr

When you hear the phrase ‘French pastries’ the image that conjures up in your mind probably isn’t too far away from the reality of Waïda et Fils’ shop window. Under its candy-striped awning, an enticing display of the finest pastries, viennoiseries and brightly colored macarons invite you into this bakery-cum-cafe. It is located in Reims’ bustling central square. Aside from delicious sweet treats, there’s also a small but carefully chosen menu. And, of course, there are the all-important great quality coffees which you can enjoy in the art-deco inspired interior.

This self-proclaimed ‘creative food’ cafe is one-of-a-kind in Reims. As well as the usual Americanos, cappuccinos, lattes and frappes, Chez Lou offers customers a wide selection of less traditional beverages. There is everything from seasonal fruit teas and luxury Japanese Sencha teas to fresh-fruit smoothies and the house detox health-drink. The fresh, wholesome snacks on offer make great accompaniments. Chez Lou is also committed to promoting healthy eating, using only fresh, seasonal produce and respecting the environment. So, you can leave with a happy conscience as well as a satisfied appetite. Cuban Coffee | © AmancayMaahs/Flickr