The well-known Strada Café has extended its delicious coffees, pastries and decadent brunches over the Seine to the left bank, opening a second venue of the same name on the Rue Monge in late 2014. Simple yet charming, it’s a great place to sit with a coffee and a laptop, or to come with friends for an extended brunch at the weekend. Most of the staff are English speakers: Australians, Americans and Canadians happily doing a stint in Paris.
Opt for the €22 brunch menu and you’ll get your money’s worth. It starts with a hot drink (tea, coffee or a detox ginger, honey and lemon brew) and a freshly squeezed juice, then brioche with jam and honey yoghurt followed by a generous serving of vegetable gazpacho with seeds, a toasted pesto sandwich with goat’s cheese and a side salad. Finally, an apple tart with cream. The waiters will quite happily wrap this one up to go though if you’ve had more than your fill already.