CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

Climb the ascending rue de Belleville in the 20th arrondissement of Paris and you’ll find CREAM, the city’s newest address for craft roasted coffee.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

On a chilly winter afternoon, the foggy windows of the shopfront hide a warm, hole-in-the-wall haven. CREAM’s simple interior- white walls, natural wood surfaces, scattered green plants – make for an uncluttered yet welcoming space.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

Aside from a few tables, seating is mostly limited to high countertops and stools, an arrangement ideal for tucking in for a solo work or reading session. One of the few cafés open on a Monday in Paris, a diverse group of self-employed and scholarly Parisians flock to start their work week here, typing and editing various oeuvres.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

On my recent visit, I observed both the coming and going of locals as well as a more sedentary clientele, with a corner counter space having been turned into a recording studio, where a woman wearing headphones composed music on a portable keyboard. At CREAM you can easily plug in headphones and make yourself at home, or you can listen to an entire album played on the shop’s record player, a vintage touch in this modern space.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

The coffee served at CREAM comes from Belleville Brûlerie, which pairs nicely with house-made pastries (cookies, muffins, and cakes range from 1-4 euro). For lunch, more substantial piadines, or wraps, are seasonally inspired, with a winter menu including a ham and cheese combo with mustard and fresh rocket or a vegetarian option composed of winter squash, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and greens.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

As references to Brooklyn-style establishments are beginning to elicit eye rolls in the Paris food and beverage world, CREAM unabashedly brings together American-style baked goods and Italian-inspired sandwiches in a Scandinavian space without feeling derivative or déjà vu. The French staff and an unpretentious location as well as the constant crowds make this café feel like it has found a home in its neighborhood. Far from being a spin-off of an American or Australian coffee movement, CREAM is rather a product of its environment and an embodiment of Paris’ own sense of place and security in its local coffee scene.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

CREAM – 50 rue de Belleville, 75020. Tel: +33 (0)9 83 66 58 43

Related links:

  • Feel like exploring the neighborhood? Here’s a great guide to Belleville and Menilmontant neighborhoods from a 20ème local.
  • Read about the coffee revolution in Paris and discover the best coffee bars in the city.
  • Co-owner of Belleville Brûlerie Thomas Le Houx gives us the scoop on Paris’ coffee revolution in this video. More clips and interviews from the Paris Coffee Project here.

CREAM Café: Stop in for a craft-roasted espresso or a light lunch at Paris' own authentic coffee shop in Belleville

Written by Emily Dilling for the HiP Paris Blog. All images by Palmyre Roigt. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Emily Dilling

Emily Dilling is a France based writer and author of My Paris Market Cookbook: A Culinary Tour of French Flavors and Seasonal Recipes. In 2005 Emily moved to Paris from her native California and began exploring the cities markets, restaurants, and cafés. In 2010 she founded the blog Paris Paysanne, where she writes about her favorite addresses and artisans in the city. Emily currently lives in the Loir-et-Cher region of France, where she writes and works in the grapevines.

7 Comments

  1. Those wraps look and sound absolutely heavenly. Nothing like squash and hazelnuts with some goat cheese to warm you up!

  2. Emily,

    Hello from snowy Montana. My 17 year old daughter and myself are traveling through Paris for the first time (first week in June) and unfortunately, don’t have much time in the city, but would like to spend the afternoon on our arrival from London(Nord@ noon) and part of our 3rd day before we get back on the train & head down to Beaune (dept Bercy @ 3pm). We would like to spend some time walking around the little streets of the 10th/11th or any great nearby spot as our hotel (Citizen) in in the 10th. We have Holybelly on the wish list per your wonderful referral, and are thinking maybe a hop on hop off tour would be good for our 1 full day just to hit the must see big guns that the city has to offer. Does this sound like a good plan for only being there for 2 half days and 1 full day? If so, would you give us your ‘must stroll’ area/must stop shops/eateries near our hotel’s district? I listened to your pod cast, so I’m feeling pretty good about this up and coming area, but since our time is short, I’d like to know the best spot to stroll and explore so we can feel ‘leisurely’ knowing we’re in the right spot. Thanks for your lovely blog!

    1. Emily,

      Thank you for your kind comments! The 10th is a wonderful neighborhood to stay in. If you stroll along the Canal St. Martin, you’re sure to stumble upon some lovely cafés and boutiques. Check out quai de Valmey, Jardin Villemin, and rue Baurepaire. Some of our favorite 10ème spots include: Du Pain et Des Idées, Ten Belles, Heimat, Death By Burrito, and Le Comptoir General. A hop-on-hop-off bus tour or a bateaux-mouche ride on the Seine are great ways to catch many of the city’s major sites.

      I hope you have a wonderful trip! Stay tuned for a post on the Canal St. Martin neighborhood on the blog soon 😉

  3. I wish I were there . It has been too long since I spent time in Paris. My family worries that once I am there, I won’t come back .. they have a point.

  4. I’m going to be staying about a 10 minute walk west down Rue du Faubourg du Temple from here in March and will definitely have to check this place out. I’ve been devouring your blog since I’m staying in the 10th/11th, Thanks!

    1. Hi Brittany,

      Aww so glad that you are enjoying the blog. The 10/11th is a great part of the city. Where will you be? And enjoy a cappuccino for us all! -Erica

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