Ten Belles
What: Ten Belles Café Where: 10 rue de la Grange aux Belles 75010 (10ème arrondissement) Web: - Phone: 01 42 40 90 78 When: ...
What: Ten Belles Café
Web: -
Phone: 01 42 40 90 78
When: Tue-Fri: 8am-6pm; Sat-Sun 9am-7pm
Métro: Gare de l'Est (lines 4, 5, 7); Jacques Bonsergent (line 5); Goncourt (line 11); Colon Fabien (line 2)
Price for a café crème: 4E
Food: Pastries, soup, sausage rolls, amongst other bits and pieces
This little guy popped his head up recently in the well-known bobo area of Canal St. Martin, on the Goncourt side, right by Hôpital Saint Louis. I only discovered it a week ago, thanks to some Australian friends who gave it a brilliant review, and I am extremely grateful to have been made aware of its existence.
The fellow who runs it is French, and used to work at Le Caféothèque de Paris. He said that for several years he had been wanting to open a café that, more than anything else, really focused on the quality of the beverage. He has achieved this with considerable success, despite the fact that Craft Café opened up basically at the same time right opposite, on the other side of the canal. Apparently there is some sort of partnership with Le Bal Café, but he seems to work closely with the beautifully-moustached coffee master David of Café Télescope (who also provides Ten Belles with their beans). So far I have gathered that two of the baristas are French and one is Australian. They all know what's going on.
The coffee itself, as the owner had envisioned, is of spectacular quality. 4E for a cappuccino (remember this does not mean there is chocolate powder on top) is a reasonable price for Paris, and it's more than worth the spare change. They do filter coffee too, and having observed a fellow customer who was clearly more partial to such a variety than I am, I can assume it is equally delicious. As an accompaniment, they play only the sweetest of tunes on a decent little speaker set perched atop the shelves behind the bar. The first time I went there I heard Caroline by MC Solaar, The World Is Yours by Nas and some other tasty tracks.
I was also most pleased with the variety of food available. I had a really good sausage roll for 5E, served with HP sauce; one of my friends got a delicious little serving of crumble and another ordered a bowl of soup, which apparently was quite nice too. Otherwise they have the usual little pastry selection found in most places.
There is no wifi. I'm not sure if that's going to change any time soon but if that's a deal breaker for you, I recommend you take your custom over the canal to Craft. In terms of seating it is a little limited, but there is a mezzanine with a few extra tables, and since their main focus is coffee and there is no wifi, you shouldn't have to wait too long for a place to sit.
My friend Yannick informed me that the owner is a guy named Thomas Lehoux, who, along with David and Nicolas of Télescope, can be credited with introducing the coffee specialty business to Paris. They started the Frog Fight events (mentioned in the entry about Le Bal). Thomas apparently also passed through Coutume and Eggs and Co., before setting up his own café. Yannick had this to say about Ten Belles and Télescope:
"It is these guys who, in my opinion, are doing things properly, are focused on the coffee, because they love it, and want to create spaces where people can feel comfortable and at home. The lack of Wifi, and in the case of Télescope mobile reception, is very indicative of a different philosophy. In continuing the spirit of the Frog Fights, Télescope and Ten Belles seem to be about creating communities. Those guys are also the most knowledgeable about what they are doing. David is currently doing the roasting for both coffee shops and is using the machines at Coutume to do this. Télescope also has coffee classes on Saturdays I believe."
My friend Yannick informed me that the owner is a guy named Thomas Lehoux, who, along with David and Nicolas of Télescope, can be credited with introducing the coffee specialty business to Paris. They started the Frog Fight events (mentioned in the entry about Le Bal). Thomas apparently also passed through Coutume and Eggs and Co., before setting up his own café. Yannick had this to say about Ten Belles and Télescope:
"It is these guys who, in my opinion, are doing things properly, are focused on the coffee, because they love it, and want to create spaces where people can feel comfortable and at home. The lack of Wifi, and in the case of Télescope mobile reception, is very indicative of a different philosophy. In continuing the spirit of the Frog Fights, Télescope and Ten Belles seem to be about creating communities. Those guys are also the most knowledgeable about what they are doing. David is currently doing the roasting for both coffee shops and is using the machines at Coutume to do this. Télescope also has coffee classes on Saturdays I believe."
This latest addition to the new wave of Paris coffee is more than worth your time.
-Good Coffee In Paris
-Good Coffee In Paris
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