GRAND CAFE TORTONI
Address : 45 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris
Opening hours : Tuesday-Sunday 09:30–19:00
Subway station : République (line 3,5,8,9,11)
Price : around 5 euros
This elegant and outstanding shop was originally run by Italian icecream maker Tortoni in 19th century. This was the favorite place of parisians at that time with its own unique ice cream recipes from Italy.
When you open the huge massive door, the first thing you will meet is the cosmetic counter. The owner of this cafe is also the owner of french cosmetic brand ‘Buly’. Buly is the french style historical brand with numerous fans.
Buly is the brand created by reinterpreting the old french brand ‘Jean Vincent Bully’. Their hand cream is the best seller for many tourists but body lotions and body oils are also well known especially in France as the weather is comparatively dry.
Its unique interior with endless cabinets made of oak trees is impressive and also shows the design of old pharmacy style in the late 18th century. The antique interior and classical music make you feel like you are on time travel.
On the opposite side of cosmetic counter, the cafe is prepared for you to rest a bit. The cafe is also full of vintage atmosphere. The pre-made hot chocolate, old bulbs, and old menu also add the mood.
They still keep the menu from old times. The price on the menu is actually the ‘cent’, not ‘euro’, and the actual menu you can order is on the table.
TOUT PETIT CHOCOLAT CHAUD
The sweet and rich chocolate flavour elevates your spirit. The serving spoon and tray, and the antique coffee cup also take you back to the past.
LE GATEAU DE RYOTA
Among the dessert menu, you will find ‘Le Gateau de RYOTA’ which changes everyday and made by the pâtissier ‘Ryota’. On the day we visited, raspberry cake was prepared and it went well with the hot chocolate. Besides, madeleines and ice-creams are also their signature menu.
NANI KORÉ ONIGIRI
Next to the cafe table, surprisingly, there is minimalist Japanese bakery, ‘Nani Koré’. Various types of Onigiri is available, and you can eat near the cafe table after purchase. The 19th century French design and minimalism Japanese design make the unconventional combination.
When you go in more, there is an unexpected hidden place, full of dried flowers made by the florist ‘Miyoko’.
Dried flowers are displayed even on the ceiling, creating the original atmosphere. Once you enter this place, it feels like you travel from the past to the fairytale.
After the great success in Paris, they are expanding the shops even to South Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan this year. From the cosmetics, dried flowers, nigiri, and cafe, you can feel their passion in each field which created the beloved One-stop shop in Paris.
Author : Yuna Lee
Photo : Jessy Conru