Velours Café : seasonal sandwiches that rotate weekly near Canal Saint-Martin

Not far from the Canal Saint-Martin, Velours Café wakes up the neighborhood with its creative bun sandwiches and zingy, punchy colors. The house recipes change every week, perfect for a grab-and-go, ultra-fresh lunch. A tucked-away address that keeps pace with the seasons!

Just steps away from the buzz of the Canal Saint-Martin, in the quiet street that borders Saint-Louis Hospital, Velours Café delights the neighborhood. Here, the sandwiches in bun format are king and change every week, following rigorously the seasonal calendar and demanding a dash of imagination from the creator of this colorful little spot, Carla, where everything is homemade and with love.

An neighborhood café, adorable and affordable, whose vibe is essentially nomadic since you’ll only find three outdoor tables on the terrace when the sun deigns to poke through, and two inside. So we lean toward take-away sandwiches if the seating is already taken. But its close proximity to the canal’s quays makes it the perfect spot for a grab-and-go lunch!

On the menu, five sandwiches, priced in the 7.50€ to 8€ range, which won’t be exactly the same when you visit, since they’re updated weekly: a veggie on olive-oil focaccia with hummus and artichoke; a beetroot brioche bun in a vibrant pink, with Greek yogurt and more beetroot; an oregano bread with lemon ricotta, chorizo and cornichons; a squid-ink brioche bun, all black, with smoked salmon, shredded white cabbage and grated carrots; and the brioché, the simpler option we chose.

Between two slices of perfectly soft seeded bread, you’ll find pickled red cabbage that adds a tang, generously sliced boiled ham, delicate herbed ricotta, and a bit of crunchy lamb’s lettuce. All told, it’s plenty filling and will keep you satisfied after you’ve eaten it.

For those looking to venture a bit off the beaten path, opt for the colorful breads, which promise intriguing discoveries! In winter, a homemade soup can substitute for the drink in a 15-euro set menu that includes dessert.

Speaking of drinks, you’ll find homemade traditional lemonades and orangeades, plus lattes, hot chocolate, and the Ube latte (6€), a violet-hued drink with a delicate vanilla notes. We also love the zingy decoration carried through to the fruit dishes, sometimes shaped like a strawberry, an orange, or a lemon-made pitcher!

On the sweet side, don’t miss the rose des sables, offered with peanuts, coconut, or chestnut cream on top. We opt for the chestnut version—a crispy, chocolatey treat where dark chocolate is softened by the sweetness of chestnut. Quite indulgent, and the portion is generous! If cereals aren’t your thing, choose the orange rice pudding or the vanilla and caramel roulade.

Note that with Carla working solo at the counter and the sandwiches changing regularly, the stock isn’t unlimited; therefore, prefer to arrive before the lunch rush to be sure you’ll still have a choice among the five bread variations, or be a little patient!

A little neighborhood gem that proves the sandwich still has plenty of life ahead, especially when it bursts with color and fresh produce!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.