This Montreuil address was once both a tearoom and a bookshop specialising in comics and children’s fiction. Having abandoned its literary function, however, it’s now simply a bar and restaurant. Even though we actually came to get our fill of Tintin, we stay on, reeled in by the sunny little terrace and a jovial welcome from the staff.
A light-filled building spanning two floors, Des Bulles et des Ballons remains a jolly, friendly place for coffee or lunch. Shelves of books still nod towards a time when families would come here to pick their reading material – French, Italian and English-language volumes. Alongside plat du jour set menus (from €12.50-€17), you can enjoy antipasti, various brasserie-style dishes (around €15) or pasta, followed by a handful of desserts (€5), including a luxurious chocolate fondant. If you’re not hungry, you can still find a great selection of teas from Palais des Thés on the menu, be it the classic Grand Yunnan Impérial, the scented Thé des Amants or even the Thé du Tigre, which is smoked and light on the caffeine.
The bar serves a dozen different wines by the glass (from €3) – plan carefully though, as the bar is only open on Friday and Saturday evenings.