There are cities where cafés are just cafés—places you duck into for a quick espresso before catching the train. And then there are cities where cafés are the heartbeat of the culture, where you linger over flaky pastries, sip your cappuccino slowly, and watch the world drift by. Reims, nestled in the Champagne region of France, is one of those cities.
While I’ve guided clients to Michelin-starred restaurants and hidden bistros across Europe, I’ve come to believe something very simple: sometimes, the best way to understand a city is through its cafés.
In Reims, cafés are not just about caffeine. They’re about ritual, rhythm, and romance. Here, you can start your day with buttery croissants, recharge with a café crème after touring the cathedral, or end an afternoon with a sweet tartelette and a glass of champagne (yes, champagne at cafés is a thing here).
During my last extended stay in Reims, I made it a mission to explore cafés as thoroughly as I explore cathedrals, museums, or markets. Below, I’ll share five real cafés I tried personally, with my unfiltered impressions—what I loved, what I didn’t, what I ordered, what it cost, and whether I’d go back.
- Café du Palais
📍 Address: 14 Place Myron Herrick, 51100 Reims
💶 Price Range: Coffee €3–€5; pastries €4–€8
⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
My Experience
If Reims has a café that feels like a living museum, it’s Café du Palais. I had read about its art-deco interior before visiting, but walking in still left me slack-jawed. The ceiling is covered with stained glass, paintings line the walls, and the place oozes character in a way that feels both elegant and comforting.
I ordered a café crème (€4.50) and a strawberry tartelette (€6). The coffee was smooth, but it was the pastry that stole the show—delicate, sweet without being cloying, with strawberries that tasted like they had been picked that morning.
What struck me most was the clientele. There was a mix of locals chatting animatedly, tourists clutching guidebooks, and even a student sketching in a notebook. It wasn’t just a café; it was a stage, and everyone was playing their part.
Signature Dish Recommendation
• Opera Cake (€7): Layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache. Rich, decadent, and beautifully presented.
My Thoughts
✔️ Pros:
• Unforgettable ambiance, almost like dining in a gallery.
• High-quality pastries.
• Central location, just a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
❌ Cons:
• It gets crowded around midday.
• Prices are slightly higher than average.
👉 Would I return? Absolutely. This café is as much about the atmosphere as the food.
- Le Clos Café
📍 Address: 25 Rue Buirette, 51100 Reims
💶 Price Range: Coffee €2.80–€4.50; breakfast sets €8–€15
⏰ Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
My Experience
Le Clos Café became my go-to morning stop during my stay. It’s bright, modern, and slightly less touristy than Café du Palais. Locals streamed in for takeaway espressos, while I took my time with a cappuccino (€4) and a butter croissant (€2.80).
The croissant deserves its own paragraph: golden, flaky, buttery without being greasy, it was the kind of croissant that makes you want to eat three. Paired with strong coffee and sunlight pouring through the windows, it was the perfect start to my day.
Signature Dish Recommendation
• Breakfast Set Menu (€12): Includes coffee, fresh orange juice, a croissant, and tartine with jam. Simple but satisfying.
My Thoughts
✔️ Pros:
• Relaxed, local vibe.
• Excellent croissants (among the best I tried in Reims).
• Fair pricing for breakfast sets.
❌ Cons:
• Service can be slow during rush hour.
• Limited pastry options compared to larger cafés.
👉 Would I return? Yes, especially for a calm breakfast before sightseeing.
- La Briqueterie
📍 Address: 10 Rue de Tambour, 51100 Reims
💶 Price Range: Coffee €3–€6; pastries €5–€10
⏰ Opening Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
My Experience
La Briqueterie is a café-gallery hybrid, tucked into one of Reims’ most historic streets. I stumbled upon it almost by accident while wandering near Rue de Tambour. Inside, the vibe is hip, artsy, and full of quiet charm.
I went for a latte (€4.50) and a slice of lemon tart (€7). The latte had the perfect balance of strong espresso and silky milk foam, while the tart was tangy enough to wake up my taste buds. I sat by the window and watched tourists photograph the medieval facades outside—it felt like being part of a painting.
Signature Dish Recommendation
• Chocolate Mousse Cake (€8): Deep, velvety chocolate flavor with a light texture.
My Thoughts
✔️ Pros:
• Quieter, less crowded atmosphere.
• Artistic interior, perfect for people who like a thoughtful space.
• Great pastry selection.
❌ Cons:
• Prices are on the higher side.
• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
👉 Would I return? Yes, when I want to pair good coffee with a cozy, creative setting.
- Maison Fossier Tea Room
📍 Address: 25 Cours Jean-Baptiste Langlet, 51100 Reims
💶 Price Range: Coffee €3–€6; biscuits & pastries €5–€12
⏰ Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
My Experience
You can’t visit Reims without trying biscuits roses de Reims, and the best place to enjoy them is at Maison Fossier’s own tea room. Maison Fossier has been making these delicate pink biscuits since 1756, and they’re famous for being dipped in champagne.
I ordered the champagne set (€12), which included a glass of brut champagne and a plate of biscuits roses. Dipping the crisp pink biscuits into champagne felt indulgent and celebratory—like partaking in a centuries-old ritual.
The café itself is elegant, with pastel interiors that match the biscuits. It was slightly more formal than the other cafés, but I enjoyed that sense of tradition.
Signature Dish Recommendation
• Biscuits Roses de Reims with Champagne (€12): A must-try, especially for first-time visitors.
My Thoughts
✔️ Pros:
• Unique experience tied to Reims’ culinary heritage.
• Lovely pairing of champagne and biscuits.
• Great gift shop for souvenirs.
❌ Cons:
• More tourist-oriented.
• Can feel a bit formal if you’re looking for casual.
👉 Would I return? Yes, for the biscuits and champagne ritual alone.
- L’Alambic Café
📍 Address: 66 Rue de Mars, 51100 Reims
💶 Price Range: Coffee €3–€5; pastries & desserts €4–€9
⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
My Experience
If the other cafés were about elegance and history, L’Alambic Café was about coziness. Located near the lively Rue de Mars, this café had a warm, rustic feel with wooden tables and friendly staff.
I tried their mocha (€4.80) and a slice of apple tart (€6). The mocha was decadent, almost dessert-like, while the tart had that comforting homemade taste. What I loved most was how unpretentious it felt—like a neighborhood café where you could easily spend an afternoon reading.
Signature Dish Recommendation
• Apple Tart (€6): Simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying.
My Thoughts
✔️ Pros:
• Cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
• Excellent balance between coffee and dessert options.
• Prices reasonable for quality.
❌ Cons:
• Smaller seating area—gets full quickly.
• Closed Sundays and Mondays.
👉 Would I return? Definitely, especially for a relaxed afternoon coffee.
☕ Practical Tips for Café-Hopping in Reims
- Peak Hours
Most cafés in Reims are busiest between 10:00–11:30 am and 3:00–5:00 pm. If you want a quiet corner for people-watching, aim for earlier mornings or late afternoons. - Reservations
For most cafés, reservations aren’t necessary. However, if you plan to visit Maison Fossier’s tea room on weekends, booking a table online is a good idea. - Prices
Expect to pay:
• €2.50–€3.50 for an espresso
• €4–€5 for cappuccino/latte
• €5–€10 for pastries or cakes - Payment
Almost all cafés accept credit cards, but I recommend carrying small cash (€10–€20) for convenience. - Pairing with Sightseeing
• Café du Palais pairs well with a visit to the cathedral.
• Le Clos Café is perfect before heading to the shopping streets.
• Maison Fossier is a good afternoon stop before champagne tastings.
🌟Reims may be globally famous for its champagne, but its cafés deserve equal recognition. For me, they became sanctuaries between sightseeing adventures—places where I could rest my feet, recharge with coffee, and taste pastries that felt like small works of art.
From the grandeur of Café du Palais to the heritage of Maison Fossier, each café offered something unique. Some felt like living museums, others like cozy living rooms. And in each, I felt the pulse of Reims—the mixture of elegance, history, and everyday French life.
If you visit Reims, don’t just dash through cafés as refueling stops. Treat them as destinations in their own right. Sit, sip slowly, watch the city unfold around you, and let the combination of coffee and pastries tell you their own story.
Because in Reims, cafés are not just cafés—they’re a way to taste the soul of the city.
