The four formulas compared (November 2026)
| Formula | What you order | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Bakery | Croissant, pain au chocolat, tartine, coffee to go | Early morning, small budget |
| Café counter | Coffee, croissant, juice | Quick breakfast before sightseeing |
| Seated brunch | Eggs, bread, pastries, coffee | Weekends, slow mornings |
| Hotel with breakfast | Buffet or in-room set | Families, late arrivals, comfortable pace |
Prices differ from one address to the next: cafés must display their prices, and in a bakery the window and the sign at the till are enough. There is no single rate.
Breakfast at the bakery
A boulangerie opens early and sits on every corner. You walk in, ask for a croissant and a coffee (many have a machine or a small counter) and eat on the move. The best croissants go before 10 am, especially at weekends. Many bakeries close one fixed day a week, so check the sign. To choose the address, our guide to the best croissant in Paris gives the 2026 ranking and the best bakeries in Paris lists ten addresses with closing days.
The café counter
In many Paris cafés there are two rates: lower at the counter, higher in the dining room or on the terrace. Service is included in the displayed price, so a tip is not required. "Un café" is a short espresso; for a longer one ask for a "café allongé", and with milk a "café crème". With a croissant, it is the quickest and most typical breakfast.
Weekend brunch
Brunch is the late, generous breakfast: eggs, bread, pastries, juice and coffee, often in a set menu. Book it on Saturdays and Sundays. Formulas range from the neighbourhood café to palace tables, at very different prices; the guide to the best brunches in Paris ranks them by budget.
Hotel with breakfast included
If you arrive late or travel with children, a hotel with breakfast included saves the morning search. When comparing prices, check whether breakfast is included, as the hotel supplement weighs on the total: a bakery breakfast often costs less than the hotel's. On Booking.com you can filter for "breakfast included". Choose a hotel close to a metro station so you can leave early for the Louvre, Montmartre or the Eiffel Tower.
Breakfast and sightseeing together
A guided walk in Montmartre with a croissant combines breakfast and sightseeing, and a croissant and macaron class teaches you to make them yourself. Always check the meeting point and time on the booking page. For classes, see macaron and croissant classes in Paris.
Practical tips
- Arrive before 9 am: the displays are fuller and the queue shorter.
- Check the bakery's closing day, often Monday or Tuesday.
- At the counter you pay less than in the dining room.
- Book weekend brunch in advance.
- With children, a juice and a pain au chocolat are simple counter orders.
Frequently asked questions
What do Parisians eat for breakfast? A croissant or a tartine with coffee, often at the counter.
Where can I have a cheap breakfast in Paris? At a bakery, with a croissant to go.
Is breakfast included at the hotel? It depends on the hotel: use the "breakfast included" filter.
Do I need to book? For weekend brunch yes; for the bakery and the counter no.
The Paris Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.
