Café Joséphine — Restaurant in Paris

Deeply unsettling experience — avoid if you are a person of colour or a woman.

This café bears the name Josephine Baker, yet it completely contradicts the values she stood for. On several visits, I witnessed disturbing behaviour from the manager, who is still running the floor despite repeated issues. Disrespectful comments were made about foreign customers, assuming they wouldn’t understand, and service noticeably shifted based on a guest’s appearance — particularly toward Black and Arab clients, who were treated with visible disdain.

Women, whether customers or staff, were regularly subjected to sexist remarks, degrading nicknames, or uncomfortable stares. During my first visit, a waitress tried to handle the situation with grace and professionalism, clearly doing her best to manage the tension. However, after returning multiple times and seeing the same inappropriate conduct continue unchecked, it became clear that this wasn’t an isolated incident — it reflects the establishment’s deeper values.

The atmosphere is oppressive, discriminatory, and profoundly unpleasant. Unless you fit a very narrow idea of the “ideal client,” you’re made to feel unwelcome. If you care about respect, equality, and basic decency, stay far away...

If I could give zero stars, I would. On the evening of May 24, 2025, three of us had coffee at Café Joséphine. When it came time to pay, the bald, extremely rude owner claimed their card machine was “broken” and forced us to pay in cash.

We offered multiple legitimate solutions—bank transfer, mobile payment, etc.—but he refused all of them, saying none of the staff had a bank account. We tried several ATM nearby but none of it works. Then he refused to let us leave the café unless we paid in cash. We were held there until 12:30 AM, which felt like an attempt at unlawful detention.

Only when we insisted we would call the police did he suddenly change his mind and allow us to transfer the money to a private account. We have proof of this.

We have reported this behavior to the French tax authorities, as we strongly suspect ongoing tax evasion, including refusing traceable payments, demanding cash, and avoiding receipts.

If you believe in honest business practices, don’t want to be harassed, illegally detained, or support this kind of abusive behavior, stay far away...

When returning from a beautiful and lovely evening visit to the Palace of Versailles, our group was hungry and it was suggested to visit my recommendation of the Cafe Joséphine. I was able to secure a 22:45 reservation and we arrived exactly at 22:45. It was magical!!!

We were greeted with a warm hospitality. The restaurant was already empty for the night. We were the last patrons of the day and had the restaurant all to ourselves. Needless to say, we had the best table!!!

The restaurant had many photos of Joséphine Baker, the namesake of the restaurant. The dining room was well decorated, transporting you to a bygone era of frivolity and energy.

Once our order was quickly placed, it was served promptly and at the perfect temperature. All the entrees were delicious and generous. My two sisters who love French Onion Soup remarked that the had just experienced the best soup ever!!! (I’m coming back to try and see if it was true.)

Prices are very reasonable, the ambiance priceless and the hospitality was so lovely!!! I...