Angelina | Paris Restaurants

Angelina Has A reputation for the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris:

Angelina Cafe Photo by Robert Schediwy

Here’s a little secret for lovers of hot chocolate. If you’re wondering around the Jardin de Tuileries or visiting the Louvre, plan on a visit to Angelina whose legendary hot chocolate has made this place so famous with locals and visitors over the years. Hot chocolate connoisseurs say that you will be hard pressed to find a hot chocolate anywhere near as good as Angelina’s anywhere else.

Although Angelina is known as a tea salon, it is more like a café as it serves breakfasts, lunches and desserts. You’ll be able to enjoy delicious desserts, some excellent salads and quiches plus light dinners, but their signature hot chocolate is the star attraction.

History of Angelina

Angelina began life as Rumpelmayer when Antoine Rumpelmayer opened his tea room in 1903. He later named his tea salon Angelina, after his daughter-in-law. Rumpelmayer’s chocolat l’Africain took its name from the origin of the beans. His hot chocolate was an intensely rich chocolate drink, barely sweet, and was served in a steaming pot with a bowl of whipped cream on the side. Famous and dedicated fans of his brew included Marcel Proust, Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel.

Apart from its hot chocolate and delicious desserts, this traditional Parisian café is full of charm and character. The interior décor with its marble topped tables, gilded ironwork and mirrors makes this place an ideal extension for your Louvre visit.

Angelina is immensely popular, so expect to find quite a queue if you leave your visit too late in the morning. If you’re not able to get a seat, there is always the possibility to pick up some treat from the lovely pastry counter near the entrance and enjoy this elsewhere, perhaps within the Jardin de Tuileries nearby.

Although Angelina is popular both with Parisians and tourists, very little English is spoken here. As long as you know to ask for their chocolat L’Africain and point at some pastries, you’ll not go hungry, but it’s always nice to make an effort to learn a few words of French.

Angelina is located at 226 Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement and the closest metro stations are either the Concorde or the Tuileries.

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