la Manufacture — Restaurant in Paris

Dreadful experience, incredibly rude manager, avoid!

Went out for some lunch with my wife and we each ordered salads. She took one bite of hers and simply said "Oh no, that's not right at all". She left the rest untouched and instead nibbled on the small portion of bread waiting for the waiting staff to attend to us at some point.

Nobody came back until I had finished, at which point my wife explained the problem - the salad did not taste good at all, she could barely manage one bite and it destroyed her appetite entirely. The plates were taken away.

The bill arrived and we had been billed for the uneaten salad! I couldn't believe my eyes. An attentive manager would have either tried to offer an alternative or offered to remove the uneaten meal from the bill, but apparently the manager of this establishment has never learned of Customer Service.

Politely, we explained to the waitress why we did not think we should pay for the uneaten salad. The manager came over and started to make a scene. "It's not my fault you didn't like it, I'm down one meal, you have to pay for it" he kept saying. A more competent manager wouldn't ever try to argue with a customer like that.

In the end he removed the meal from the bill, but told us never to return. Not to worry, mate, we certainly won't waste any more of our time with your...

We were lucky enough to stay nearby la Manufacture so we stopped here to grab our morning coffee. The decoration was captivating! The gentleman who served us was so kind and friendly. As we were curiously asking questions about the decor or typical tourist questions and asking for help to explore the city, despite he was quite busy with serving other clients, each 30 seconds he had free, he would come back to us and kindly answer our qustions. Meanwhile we were literally having THE BEST CROISSANTS and COFFEE of our lives! Now we are obsessed! Last night on our way to our hotel, we discovered that la Manufacture looks so pretty at night, too. And the owner; despite his long and busy working hours, he was exhausted but still extremely kind, friendly and he was still smiling :) He was making sure that we are still enjoying our stay and getting the best out of it. It didn't take us too long to discover that in Paris, you don't get to find a place like la Manufacture easily...We had to interract with really rude and angry people as well. Eh, what do you do...c'est la vie! Please support this kind man's business and give yourselves a chance to have his magnificent COFFEE and warm and fresh...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Le Manufacture – A True Parisian Treasure in Les Gobelins

Tucked into the wonderfully eclectic and endlessly charming neighborhood of Les Gobelins, Le Manufacture became more than a café to me during my time living in Paris — it became a cherished ritual.

I would often begin my mornings here, drawn by the scent of fresh espresso and warm bread, joining the bustle of locals gathered for their daily rhythm. The atmosphere is lively yet grounded, filled with regulars, laughter, and the kind of casual elegance that only Paris can do so effortlessly.

The classic bistro fare is perfectly executed — from flaky croissants and rich omelettes to thoughtfully plated midday dishes that respect both tradition and flavor. The terrace, shaded and inviting, is the quintessential Parisian outdoor experience, ideal for people-watching or simply letting the city unfold before you.

What sets Le Manufacture apart, however, is the staff. Warm, familiar, and always attentive, they make you feel less like a customer and more like a welcome member of the neighborhood.

It’s not just a café — it’s a memory, a comfort, and a little piece of everyday Paris...