Gocci di Caffe - Paris Passageway

I came upon Passage Des Panoramas - a cobbled, covered passageway filled with cafes, restaurants and shops a few months ago and almost had forgotten about it when, by chance we stumbled upon it again - strolling the streets one night after Japanese on Rue Ste Anne (The best street for Japanese in Paris, Metro: Pyramides). We vowed to return for dinner at an overflowing wine bar tucked in one of the corners of the Passage.

I returned on Monday to check out the wine bar (Coinstat Vino in the background of the photo) but found it closed on Mondays. Blessing in disguise - as I pondered what else could be enjoyed in this quaint and historic place. I looked up and there it was right in front of me. Im not sure if I noticed the smell first, or the friendly smile of the owner - an Italian man named Antonio. This tiny, almost hole in the wall Italian Cafe was drawing me in.

I was impressed with the coffee and also with the personal nature of the owner. A one man band, he apologised for the lack of desserts on display, explaining that he normally made tiramisu but had overslept this morning and run out of time (after spending the weekend in Brittany and arriving back into Paris at 3am that morning). A very laid back character who chats freely with his seemingly regular stream of customers.

An Australian couple who were regular customers during an extended stay in Paris brought him a kangaroo which he proudly displays on a shelf behind the counter.

The Passage Des Panoramas is the oldest Passage in Paris -constructed on the site of The Montmorency-Luxembourg Private Hotel in 1799-1800. Historically speaking, it was one of the first covered, airy commercial passageways in the world. The so-called precursor to the shopping malls as we now know them.

Gocci di Caffe

25 Passage des Panoramas

Metro(s): Grand Boulevards or Bourse