In Paris, you sometimes only have to step off the grand boulevards to go back in time. In the 5e arrondissement, the narrow lanes of the Quartier latin lead to the Sorbonne, the Panthéon, the arenes de Lutèce or the Musée de Cluny. And from the heights of Montagne Sainte-Geneviève to around Rue Mouffetard, Paris’s history accompanies almost every stroll.
But the neighborhood also preserves a strong student identity, rooted in centuries of university presence. Bookshops, cinemas, cafés and small accessible spots contribute to this vibe, while the Jardin des Plantes offers a green breathing space on the Austerlitz side. Further downstream, the quays make it easy to reach Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité.
For the sweet-tooths, the scene is pretty delightful. The bakeries and pastry shops sit alongside creperies, chocolatiers, tea rooms and coffee shops, with an offering that reflects the neighborhood’s diversity. You can snag a croissant before a visit to the Panthéon, a pastry after the museum, or a crepe near Mouffetard.
Not one to hesitate, dive into this selection of delicious sweet spots to try in the 5th arrondissement!
RivaReno Gelato: the authentic Italian artisanal gelato maker and its coffee shop in the Latin Quarter
In the heart of the 5th arrondissement, RivaReno Gelato serves up artisanal ice creams churned each morning, blending indulgent Italian specialties, fruit sorbets, and a cozy coffee shop space. A must-visit ice cream shop in the neighborhood! [Read more]
LaCrèma gelato, the new plant-based artisanal ice cream shop near the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Panthéon
We pushed open the door of LaCrèma, the new artisanal ice-cream shop on Rue Soufflot in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, open since April 2026. Behind the counter, Roberta and her house-made plant-based gelatos are shaking things up. Here’s everything you need to know! [Read more]
La table des Bernardins, the unusual café-restaurant nestled in the nave of the Collège des Bernardins
La Table des Bernardins, located in the emblematic Collège des Bernardins in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, is the ideal spot for a meal or a break in an atypical, historic setting. Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, this restaurant-café offers a varied cuisine, ideal for a relaxing lunch or a passing snack. [Read more]
Le Chatelier: a cozy cat cafe with a welcoming feline-friendly hotel in the 5th arrondissement
Just a stone’s throw from the Luxembourg Gardens, a spot is making the 5th arrondissement purr with delight. Welcome to Chatelier, a unique venue where Nadège has created a cozy cat bar alongside a luxury boarding cattery. [Read more]
Le Café des Rêves at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves: a café and its secret garden in a theatrical setting
Le Café des Rêves opens its doors on May 26, 2025 at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves. An ephemeral café in the heart of a show setting, where you can take a sweet break, or curl up to telework, in an 18th-century building hiding a charming secret garden. [Read more]
L'Ours et la Vieille Grille: poetry-filled café-library and wine cellar in a former theater
In the Latin Quarter, the history of the capital meets literature in the bookshop de l'Ours et la Vieille Grille. Formerly a theater in the 1960s, the place is now a haunt for poets and book lovers, as well as for fine dining, as it boasts a soulful café! [Read more]
Café Maa: Finnish gastronomy in the heart of Paris
Have you heard of Café Maa? Nestled on the ground floor of the Finnish Institute, in the heart of Paris's 5th arrondissement, this ultra-gourmet and friendly spot showcases Finnish cuisine with traditional Nordic recipes. [Read more]
Le Bon Moment: lively coffeeshop and friendly coworking space in the Latin Quarter
Rue des Bernardins, a stone's throw from the Pont de l'Archevêché (linking the Latin Quarter to the Île de la Cité), nestles a coffeeshop where you can come all day long. Simple, friendly or family-friendly (if you prefer), it's a little bubble of tranquillity where you can enjoy lunch, a snack or one of the excellent specialty coffees served hot or fresh. [Read more]
Le goûter de Clotilde, a regressive and gourmet tea time by Nina Métayer
In the 5th arrondissement, the Maison Colbert hotel is now serving a brand new tea time, imagined by Nina Métayer, voted best pastry chef in the world in 2023. A blend of childhood flavors and gourmet patisserie, Le goûter de Clotilde offers a gourmet experience to share with friends and family. [Read more]
Majo, the feminist bookshop with a small vegan café near the Pantheon
Between Jussieu and the Panthéon, you'll find a pretty, cosy bookshop in violet tones, where you'll find feminist, children's and contemporary books, and a vegan café to relax in. [Read more]
A new Bo&Mie bakery in Saint-Michel
Bo&Mie, the bakery and patisserie that delights us with its affordable, artisanal creations, is opening a new address in the 5th arrondissement, Boulevard Saint-Michel. [Read more]
Le Renard Café, the bookshop-cafe dedicated to Japanese culture in Paris
A few steps away from the Renard Doré bookstore, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, the Renard Café has opened, highlighting Japanese culture, between mangas, bubble tea and quality pastries. [Read more]
Shakespeare and Company, the most English-speaking bookstore in Paris
Opposite Notre-Dame de Paris, the Shakespeare and Company Café adjoins the historic English-language bookshop founded by George Whitman. Gourmets and literary souls, you've found your paradise! [Read more]
Snowvan, the kawaii tea room for bubble tea and unusual ice creams
Snowvan is the Asian tea room that will surprise you. In a kawaii universe full of sweetness, this spot delights us with colorful gourmet drinks, bubble teas and unusual ice creams! [Read more]
Les Belles Envies, the sugar-free pastry and chocolate shop
Les Belles Envies is the new sugar-free patisserie that opened on rue Monge in the 5th arrondissement. A low glycemic index pastry shop offering cakes, chocolates and delicatessen. An ideal option for diabetics, those concerned about their figure or their health. How about a treat for yourself? [Read more]
Find the locations of all these spots by clicking the map at the bottom of the article
