La Bellevilloise is not so much a bar as a cultural institution.
Housed inside the airy halls of a former workers’ cooperative, the
whole venue retains its community-minded, anti-establishment feel.
During the day, head into the olive tree-decked restaurant to sip
coffee and soak up the atmosphere. When night falls, the dancing
starts, with an ever-changing roster of international DJs and bands
keeping regulars on their feet. On Sundays, the “jazz brunch”
offers a limitless buffet spread (featuring the likes of antipasti
plates of tuna gravlax, Greek salads, French cheeses, roasted sweet
potatoes and viennoiserie) set to the backdrop of a live jazz
band.

Pull up a chair on the terrasse at Belleville stalwart Aux
Folies to rub shoulders with a lively, colourful crowd that runs
the gamut from young local artists to neighbourhood barflies with
stories to tell. This much-loved brasserie started life as a
cabaret during the Belle Epoque, a hangout of les titis parisiens
(salt-of-the-earth working Parisians). Its terrasse tends to be
full year-round, thanks to the atmosphere – and the unbeatable
cheap pints and cocktails, which help keep patrons warm when the
temperature drops.

Expect great quality coffee and beautiful surroundings in this popular local coffee spot on Avenue Gambetta, which is run by Daniel, a Brit by origin and adopted Parisian, who previously worked as a barista at nearby coworking spot Craft. Now helming the coffee machine at The Dancing Goat, you’ll find him supplying locals with coffee, surrounded by 1920s-influenced décor – think curved lines and retro light fixtures, all courtesy of a local Parisian design firm. Coffee is top-notch, if a touch more expensive than your average local spot.