Café de la Nouvelle Mairie is a timeless, picturesque terraced café on a shady lane beside the Panthéon. Wines are inexpensive and available by the carafe, like in the old days. In recent years, the café and the charming square that it looks out on have been adopted by fans of the TV show Emily in Paris, whose characters hung out here. It’s amusing to sit with with the crusty neighborhood regulars and natural wine geeks and watch the tourists strut and take selfies on the sidewalk. Presumably, this moment of fame will pass, and the Nouvelle Mairie will return to what it has been for decades – simply a very good neighborhood café.
CAFÉ DE LA NOUVELLE MAIRIE
19 Rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 75005
Open Monday-Friday from 8am-midnight
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Reservations at +33 1 44 07 04 41
OUR PHOTOS CAFÉ DE LA NOUVELLE MAIRIE
Most recent visit
Previous visits
Most photos by Aaron Ayscough
After touring the Pantheon, we took the advice of this blog and a few others and visited Café de la Nouvelle Mairie for a wine break before heading home. The bartender/server/manager/only one there, could hardly have been more rude. No response at all to a “bonjour.” Just stared at me when I said we wanted a table for 2 for wine and a snack. (I will admit my French is not great even after living here for a couple of months, but most people can understand my simple statements.) We seated ourselves at a small table and eventually he came over and again stared at us – I asked for their wine list and he stared at the chalkboard on the wall. So we ordered 2 wines by the glass and some sparkling water. We got the wine quickly – and it was a quite good, and reasonable. Never got the water. When we paid, he did eventually speak, apologizing – in English – for grabbing my phone to get the credit card app to charge. At best, unfriendly, indifferent service. Maybe he was having a bad day, or maybe you have to be a regular, but definitely will not return, nor would I recommend.
Very sorry to hear that, David! I’d be frustrated and done with them too.
I made a reservation in February for April 11, arrived in time with my guests and found the restaurant closed. Nothing sudden or unexpected: they were shooting a TV show in the street and closed the restaurant for the shoot. No heads up from the Café or anything and they had all my contact info. And they didnt answer their phone the whole next day. So Nouvelle Mairie is on my “Don’t Bother” list of restos with no class.
Reservations are more necessary than this would lead you to believe.
Does anyone know if Café de la Nouvelle Mairie is open in August? I had lunch there a couple of times in last September (2012) and really enjoyed the food. I’m hoping I don’t arrive in Paris this year during their summer break.
I enjoy this place. Tres bon rapport qualite/prix. But you DO need to reserve for dinner.
Nicer in the summer.