La Place Verte

Next to the famous Café Charbon, the big, beautiful terrace of La Place Verte stretches out over a small shady square. It goes without saying that it’s rammed on sunny days, but if you can’t get a table, the inside isn’t bad either. The café was renovated in 2011, and the new '70s-inspired ‘design’ décor is a pleasant background to an evening drink with friends. Armchairs in green velvet, big cantine-style tables, thick orange curtains and a table football set jumble together harmoniously in the enormous space. The menu has influences from around the world, with a Japanese touch in the chirashi and salmon tartare (€14), an Indian one in the green lamb curry (€14) or an American one in the East Side Bagel (€13). Despite the struggle to get onto the terrace and the painfully hip clientele, it is possible to have a good time without emptying your wallet; try the sangria (€4.20) or a pichet of wine to get the best value. A cocktail with a view of the bubbling Rue Oberkampf will set you back €8. The service is cordial and swift.