It’s finding the perfect café. There’s something deeply satisfying about sipping a hot coffee, nibbling on a pastry, and letting the world drift by while I watch life unfold around me.
When I visited Amiens, a city often celebrated for its Gothic cathedral and floating gardens, I knew I had to dive into its café culture. After all, in France, cafés aren’t just about caffeine — they’re about atmosphere, conversation, and slowing down enough to notice the details of daily life.
Over the course of my stay, I visited several cafés, some recommended by locals and others stumbled upon by happy accident. Below, I’ll share five of my favorite cafés in Amiens, each with its own charm, personality, and flavors that made me linger longer than planned.
- Café D’Amiens – Classic Charm with Cathedral Views
📍 Location: 10 Place Notre Dame, 80000 Amiens, France
💶 Prices: Coffee €2.50–3.50, pastries €3–5, lunch plates €12–18
My Experience
I couldn’t resist starting with this café because of its location — directly across from the Amiens Cathedral. I arrived just after 9:00 a.m., when the square was still waking up, and chose a table on the terrace facing the cathedral’s intricate façade.
The waiter, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black apron, brought me a café crème (€3.20) and a warm croissant (€2.80). The croissant was buttery, flaky, and left my fingertips deliciously greasy in that satisfying French way. As I took my first sip of coffee, the cathedral bells chimed, filling the air with sound. It was one of those travel moments that feel almost cinematic.
I stayed longer than expected, eventually ordering a quiche Lorraine (€12) for lunch, served with a small salad. The food was good, but the real magic here is the view and the people-watching. Tourists paused to snap photos, while locals biked past on their morning commute.
Pros and Cons
✔️ Unbeatable cathedral view
✔️ Friendly service, very traditional French café vibe
❌ A bit touristy, prices slightly higher than elsewhere
❌ Can get crowded during peak lunch hours
Why I Recommend It
This is the café you go to when you want the quintessential Amiens experience. It may not be the most original spot, but sitting here with coffee while admiring centuries of history is worth every euro.
- Green Corner Café – Eco-Friendly and Cozy
📍 Location: 8 Rue des Chaudronniers, 80000 Amiens
💶 Prices: Specialty coffee €3.50–5, pastries €3–6, vegetarian plates €10–14
My Experience
Tucked away on a quieter street, the Green Corner Café is a haven for anyone who loves specialty coffee and eco-conscious dining. I discovered it on a rainy afternoon, ducking inside to escape the drizzle.
The interior was warm and inviting, with wooden tables, hanging plants, and a shelf of books that made it feel like a friend’s living room. I ordered a latte with oat milk (€4.50) and a slice of their famous carrot cake (€4.80). The coffee was smooth and strong, clearly crafted with care, and the cake… oh, the cake! Moist, spiced perfectly, and topped with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting.
Later, I returned for lunch another day and tried their vegetarian tartine (€12), topped with roasted vegetables and goat cheese. It was fresh, filling, and exactly what I needed after a morning of walking through the city.
Pros and Cons
✔️ Great for vegetarians and vegans
✔️ Relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
✔️ Specialty coffee made with precision
❌ Smaller space, fills up quickly at lunch
❌ Limited options for meat-lovers
Why I Recommend It
If you want a break from traditional French fare, this is your spot. It feels younger, trendier, and more conscious — a little slice of modern café culture in Amiens.
- Café Pinocchio – Italian Twist in the Heart of Amiens
📍 Location: 13 Rue Flatters, 80000 Amiens
💶 Prices: Espresso €2.50, cappuccino €3.80, pastries €3–5, pizza €12–15
My Experience
On my third day in Amiens, I craved something a little different — and stumbled upon Café Pinocchio, an Italian-inspired café right near the Saint-Leu district. This area, with its colorful houses lining the canals, is one of my favorite parts of Amiens.
Inside, Café Pinocchio had a quirky charm: bright colors, wooden chairs, and Italian posters. I ordered a cappuccino (€3.80) and was pleasantly surprised — frothy, rich, and dusted with just the right amount of cocoa powder. With it, I tried a tiramisu (€5.50) that tasted homemade, with layers of mascarpone and espresso-soaked biscuits that melted in my mouth.
Another day, I came back for dinner. Their wood-fired pizza (€14) was thin, crispy, and topped with fresh mozzarella and basil. It felt more like a casual trattoria than a French café, but that’s exactly why I loved it — it gave me variety during my stay.
Pros and Cons
✔️ Delicious Italian options, especially pizza and tiramisu
✔️ Located in the lively Saint-Leu district
✔️ Family-friendly
❌ Service can be a bit slow when it’s busy
❌ Not ideal if you’re looking for a traditional French café vibe
Why I Recommend It
Perfect for when you want to mix up your café routine with something Italian and hearty. Plus, the Saint-Leu neighborhood adds to the charm — canals, cobbled streets, and a lively atmosphere.
- Les Halles Café – Market-Fresh and Local
📍 Location: Inside Les Halles du Beffroi, Place Maurice Vast, 80000 Amiens
💶 Prices: Coffee €2.50–3.50, pastries €3–4, lunch plates €10–16
My Experience
I love visiting local markets when I travel, so when I heard about the Halles du Beffroi (the covered market in Amiens), I knew I had to explore. Inside, amid the stalls of fresh produce, cheese, and seafood, I found Les Halles Café, a little gem serving coffee and light meals.
Here, I ordered a café allongé (€2.80) and a slice of apple tart (€3.50). The tart was clearly made with local apples — sweet yet slightly tart, with a buttery crust. Around me, locals were doing their weekly shopping, greeting stall owners by name, and catching up over quick coffees.
I later returned for lunch and had a plate of roasted chicken with seasonal vegetables (€14). It was simple but flavorful, and I liked knowing that the ingredients came straight from the surrounding stalls.
Pros and Cons
✔️ Fresh, local ingredients
✔️ Authentic market atmosphere
✔️ Affordable prices
❌ Limited seating
❌ Only open during market hours (morning to early afternoon)
Why I Recommend It
If you want to experience daily life in Amiens and enjoy food as locals do, this café inside the market is a must. It’s not fancy, but it’s authentic — and that’s priceless.
- Le Quai Café – Riverside Relaxation in Saint-Leu
📍 Location: 27 Quai Bélu, 80000 Amiens
💶 Prices: Coffee €2.80–3.50, pastries €3–5, main dishes €14–20
My Experience
No trip to Amiens would be complete without an afternoon at Le Quai Café, located along the Quai Bélu in the Saint-Leu district. This area is the city’s social hub, especially in the evenings when the canal-side terraces come alive with chatter.
I sat outside with a café gourmand (€7) — a French tradition where you get a small coffee paired with three mini desserts. Mine came with a tiny crème brûlée, a macaron, and a chocolate mousse. Each bite was a treat, and together with the coffee, it felt like a little celebration of French indulgence.
Later in the evening, I came back with friends and tried their moules-frites (€18) — mussels in a white wine sauce served with crispy fries. The dish wasn’t life-changing, but the atmosphere certainly was. Watching the sun set over the water while students laughed at nearby tables made me feel like part of the city’s fabric.
Pros and Cons
✔️ Fantastic canal-side location
✔️ Café gourmand is a must-try
✔️ Great atmosphere in the evenings
❌ Can be noisy, not ideal for quiet reflection
❌ Service can feel rushed when crowded
Why I Recommend It
For people-watching and soaking up the lively energy of Amiens, this is the place. It’s not about the best coffee in town, but about the experience of being right in the heart of local life.
Tips for Enjoying Cafés in Amiens
• Timing matters: Many cafés close between lunch and dinner, so plan your visits around mealtimes.
• Reservations: Usually not required, but for dinner in Saint-Leu cafés it’s smart to book.
• Cash vs. card: Most cafés accept cards, but keep a few euros in coins for smaller spots.
• Language: Basic French phrases (“un café crème, s’il vous plaît”) go a long way in making you feel welcome.
• Booking platforms: For larger groups, check TheFork.fr, which is popular in France.
Cafés in Amiens are more than just pit stops for caffeine — they’re windows into the city’s rhythm, its flavors, and its people. From cathedral views to eco-friendly corners, from Italian tiramisu to market-fresh apple tarts, I found myself lingering at each spot longer than intended.
For me, the real joy was in the people-watching: students rushing between classes, couples strolling hand in hand, families unpacking their market finds. Every cup of coffee came with a side of humanity, and that’s why Amiens’ cafés will stay with me long after I’ve left.
If you’re heading to Amiens, don’t just see the cathedral or the floating gardens — sit down at a café, order a pastry, and let life pass by. That’s where you’ll feel the city’s true heartbeat.
