Angelina Teahouse

Yes, Angelina on the Rue de Rivoli (around the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre) is a tourist spot, but it is still one of the best places in Paris for hot chocolate. Their menu of pastries and other small dishes is good, but don’t miss out on the hot chocolate. It is also a fun place to people watch, as there is a mixture of tourists, diplomats and government workers, and grandes dames who frequent the cafe to get their sweet tooth fix. Sit as table 11 (3rd from the back against the mirror) and you’ll sit where Coco Chanel took her hot chocolate nearly every day.

The Louvre is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings. If you hate crowds of tourists visit in the evening. Stop by the famous Angelina teahouse for a quick snack before heading to see the Louvre’s treasures. The lunch menu consisting of sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, etc. is available till 6:30pm. This gem on rue de Rivoli was established in 1903 and is quintessential Paris. Of course, you have to try their famous chocolate chaud! They’re also known for their Mont Blanc.

There is nearly always a line at Angelina’s on Rue de Rivoli, but you don’t have to wait to enjoy her luscious pastries, certainly not when the Jardin des Tuileries beckons you from across the street. Step through the crowd, walk about to the glass, pick your fancy and head out to the garden to people watch as you enjoy your patisserie made in heaven!

Forget Venice’s Cafe Florian, Paris has it all when it comes to hot chocolate(or should I say chaud chocolat!). Angelina may just be a chocolate lovers heaven on earth, and who isn’t a chocolate lover? I eat chocolate everyday. At about 15 euros for hot chocolate for two with whipped cream on the side, I’m not saying its cheap...but who cares? You’re in Paris. Go to Angelina! And you cant forget to try one of their pastries-millefeuille, anyone?

If you have a sweet tooth or if you are looking for the best chocolate milk or mont blanc cake in Paris, look no further. Angelina Patisserie is the place you should head to. Located just across Jardin de Rivoli, Angelina doubles as Patisserie and a restaurant and offers a great collection of pastries and sweets; the Circus tart with orange and passion fruit cream, candied citrus, and a touch of mango fruit is topped with honey meringue. If you are a chocolate lover (like me) don’t skip the chocolate milk and the delicious choux pastry headed by a golden layer of chocolate delicately combines with the strength of dark chocolate crémeux and sweetness of milk and white chocolate. If you are interested in dining at the restaurant, you must make a reservation, but the line to buy a delicious pastry is open to all.

Sweet-seekers beware, a sip of Angelina’s deliciously rich hot chocolate may keep you comfortably situated in their lavish tea room all day! I devoured their Mont Blancs cupcake, a beautifully presented melange of meringue, light whipped cream and chestnut cream vermicelli. Apparently, I’m not alone in my delight, they sell over 600 of them a day!

Chocolate & their infamous Hot Chocolate