Breakfast at Angelina’s

A visit to Paris would not be complete without a savored sip of Angelina’s world-renowned hot chocolate. Situated just across from Tuileries along Rue de Rivoli, this charming, quintessential salon de thé is the perfect break from a visit to any one of the nearby museums (Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, L’Orangerie, Jeu de Paume). And what better place to walk off that extra dollop of whipped cream than the gardens of Tuileries?

Oh sweet, heavenly Angelina…

Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn are among the well-known patrons of Angelina – walk through the arched entryway and it’s easy to see why these icons of elegance felt at home here. Angelina first opened its doors in 1903, during the heart of the belle époque aesthetic in art and architecture. The luxurious interior, complete with gold trim, whimsical murals and sumptuous art nouveau lines, was designed by none other than Édouard-Jean Niermans – the same architect behind Nice’s luxury hotel, Negresco.

The interior is the epitome of Parisian imagery.

Angelina is most known for their rich, velvety hot chocolate – arguably the best in Paris. In keeping with tradition, le chocolat chaud l’Africain is served with a small pitcher of steamed milk and a bowl of vanilla whipped cream. If hot chocolate is not your beverage of choice, you can still enjoy the Angelina experience with a Mont Blanc (a light pastry of meringue, whipped cream and chestnut cream vermicelli) – their website claims to serve up to 600 a day!

Breakfast at Angelina’s is quite the affair!

No one visits me in Paris without enjoying breakfast at Angelina’s (for the serious brunch-lover, this is one of the only places in Paris you can toast le joie de vivre with flutes of mimosa). While the price for any one of their brunch menus seem steep, there is ample food to be shared with another, though you may wish to add an extra hot chocolate. The charming waiters don’t seem to mind if you decide to take this route.

Traditional Parisian brunch includes a croissant (or other sorts of viennoiserie) and a hearty slice of baguette served with jam and honey.

If you don’t have the time to wait for a table in typically long lines, visit the boutique instead where you can ponder over a large selection of mouth-watering pastries and desserts. The boutique even offers Angelina’s coveted hot chocolate mix (in powder or liquid form), allowing you the delightful opportunity of bringing a taste of Paris home to share with your friends and family. To make this special souvenir everlasting, you can even purchase your very own mug and pitcher – the very same models used in the restaurant.

After coffee at Angelina’s, a friend and I decided to enjoy a selection of macarons in the nearby Jardin de Tuileries.

It goes without saying that Angelina is a Paris favorite because it continues to uphold its bourgeoisie standard of excellence. Therefore it’s greatly appreciated to use your best French etiquette – greet the host and waiters with a polite bonjour, speak in soft tones (especially since seating is tight), use as much French as you can, and respect this important icon of Paris with the proper non-travelesque apparel. Though they won’t refuse service to those with sneakers and fanny-packs, it’s polite to dress for the occasion – you are, after all, following in the footsteps of Chanel.

Information
Angelina
266 rue de Rivoli – 75001 Paris
Metro Line 1 – Tuileries or Concord
Open everyday from 9 am till 7pm

Angelina has also opened a second salon de thé in the 17th (Palais des congrés,
2 rue de la porte Maillot). But the real experience happens only at its original site.

Tagged as: Paris, Restaurant Review