le café st regis in paris – one for your address book

by Sharon Santoni

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

Sometimes a work rendez vous turns into a happy discovery of a new address…. last  week I needed to meet a journalist in the middle of Paris and she suggested that we shared a coffee at the Café St Regis on the Ile St Louis.  Of course I had often walked past  there before but never been inside and tasted their warm hospitality.

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

The setting could make you think that the clientele would be entirely tourists, but actually many Parisians know that this is a great place for breakfast, lunch or cocktails, and for coffee in between.  Waiters in long white aprons, and a comfortably vintage decor, this is the sort of café that I prefer.

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

I love their authentic decor, and their friendly service, and have since been back and discovered that they make a wicked Croque Monsieur for a lunchtime snack.  With the warmer weather they’ll be serving outdoors too.

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

They have managed to keep an old world feel to the place, as you see from their business card, the sort of attention to detail I adore.

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

And if you are in Paris on a Sunday, and looking for a place to brunch, then this is an address for you.   They have a special Sunday menu, that seems to cater to every taste….. this is definitely one for your address book!

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

Café St Regis

6 de la rue Jean du Bellay, Paris 75004

All photos by James Pouliot 

café st regis paris photo james pouliot

25 comments

Darina May 1, 2017 - 4:23 pm

I have the plan to visit this café in June. Can’t wait!

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Elaine May 2, 2017 - 1:31 am

How quant and neat to see an establishment keep the charm from years past. Someday I want to go to France. I love to read your blog and dream I were there.
I will keep clicking my heels.
Elaine

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Audrey Friedman May 1, 2017 - 4:27 pm

Having had an apartment on the Rue des Deux Ponts just down the street I often had my breakfast there. Great choice. The pictures brought back great memories.

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Madeline May 1, 2017 - 4:32 pm

Always come here for steak Tatar

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Jenny May 1, 2017 - 4:53 pm

Thanks for sharing! I’ll save this to my address book for my next trip to Paris.

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Lorraine May 1, 2017 - 4:55 pm

We were there on Easter weekend, and you have included a picture of our charming waiter. We loved the Café St Regis!

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Carm May 1, 2017 - 5:10 pm

Leaving for France in 3 weeks. Will be in Paris for the last 4 days of our trip – will definately try to
stop there. Do you suggest reservations on a Sunday?

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Sharon Santoni May 1, 2017 - 5:39 pm

Hi Carm, they don’t actually take reservations here, so it’s best to turn up not too late …. or very late and hope they’ll have a table for you 🙂

x

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Widlicka May 1, 2017 - 6:27 pm

Oh thank you for sharing such a lovely warm and delicious place, merci beaucoup, Lori

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Villa May 1, 2017 - 7:14 pm

Lovely, merci beauvoup.

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Sheila in SF May 1, 2017 - 7:26 pm

Thanks for the recommendation. Will put on my list.

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Taste of France May 1, 2017 - 8:48 pm

It’s adorable, from the harlequin tile floor to the curved corners of subway tiles to the waiter’s smile.

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Splendid Market May 2, 2017 - 12:18 am

J’adore L’ils St. Louis! Can’t wait it visit this place the next time I’m in Paris!

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MARLA May 2, 2017 - 1:32 am

Oh Sharon you make me ache for Paris!!!! No where in the world like it….We will definitely try Le St Regis next visit.
The other day a friend of mine asked why the other part of my heritage didn’t fascinate me the way my French blood does? Huh? I hardly understood the question! I had a French mom. The best!!!!

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Carole May 2, 2017 - 1:33 am

What a lovely place, love the elegant, warm, not to put off decor. Must have a coffee there someday but for now, only through your pictures.

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Stephanie May 2, 2017 - 3:07 am

Merci beaucoup Sharon, I will be in Paris in mid June so will definitely try this lovely place ☕️

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Denise May 2, 2017 - 10:45 am

Bonsoir Sharon Le Cafe St. Regis is one 0f my favourite cafes in one of my favourite spots in Paris , Isle St. Louis . Just Divine!! I have also just booked on your recommendation in Port-en-Bessin one of Les Filles du bord de Mer apartments . La Maison Matelot . We will be there in October, it is one of the few areas of France we have not been too. We will be back to Le Cafe St Regis of course.

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Hazel Lavelle May 2, 2017 - 10:47 am

What a lovely place ! And what a gorgeous young man !!!!!!! X ( the waiter I meen ha ha )

Thanks Sharon X

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Marie May 2, 2017 - 1:02 pm

I’ll be there next Wednesday and I’m definitely checking it out. Thanks for the recommendation Sharon.

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Colleen Taylor May 2, 2017 - 11:15 pm

What a charming & lovely place Sharon. I’ve heard of it but now I must place this on my list. Thank you for sharing this. X

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Sandy Bloomer May 3, 2017 - 3:07 pm

Love it there, also, if you ever get to Philadelphia and want some French flair, try Parc near Rittenhouse Square, lovely and very authentic….

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Jenine May 3, 2017 - 10:35 pm

Le Cafe St Regis is one of our favorite memories! I was so embarrassed when I knocked our bread-basket on the floor and our server quickly picked it up and said…”Happens all the time…in fact, I think it is good luck!” They serve a lovely hot milk with vanilla which I now try to duplicate at home. Thank you for sharing!

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Pamela March 15, 2018 - 6:16 am

Think we may by lucky chance have had a late lunch at this place a few years ago with our family when they were visiting Paris for the first time. We’d all been walking about from the Marais and everyone was hungry. I had the Croque Monsieur. The girls were then about 9 and 10 and spoke some French – learned at school from French native speaking teachers. The waiters were really nice to us all, specially the girls who spoke to them in French. They loved it. It was their first meal out in Paris, not counting breakfast. A wonderful introduction. Best wishes

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Cathy Grafton May 3, 2021 - 3:50 pm

Went here with some new friends a few years ago on my last trip. Lovely to sit by a window and watch people passing by, Elegant place to enjoy with friends, coffee-pastry-perfect

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Julia Weich May 4, 2021 - 4:06 am

A favorite cafe of mine. Your post made me very homesick. I probably won’t be able to return until December. Thank you for the lovely reminder.

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