Le Peloton Café — Restaurant in Paris

Not even sure where to start with this review but if I could give this cafe and Paul (the co-owner) 100 stars, I would. This cafe is coffee and community all in one. Group runs on Wednesday mornings, bike tours for all levels, and dog friendly! The coffee is excellent and the food (get the yogurt and granola) is fresh, gourmet and delicious. A friend recommended we check it out because they offer bike tours and that’s our favorite way to see cities. Unfortunately I’m on crutches due to a sprained ankle so I figured I’d send my husband on the tour and find another activity. Paul, one of the owners, casually found a solution and did the kindest thing ever — he offered to let us take his personal eBike with a cargo bucket on the front for me to sit in while my husband pedaled. The tour was €45 pp and lasted about 4 hours. Highly recommend! Our lovely guide, Natalie gave us the “parts unknown” tour — all the spots you may not see if you’re just hitting the touristic route. Would recommend to any and all friends and at the very least, make sure to enjoy a coffee...

Friendly baristas prepare coffee in a warm and welcoming space.

Though the Marais neighbourhood is no stranger to cute coffee shops, Le Peloton on Rue du Pont Louis Philippe is a welcome addition with its funky tiled floor and cosy corners. Founded in September 2015 by biking enthusiasts Christian Osburn and Paul Barro, who also run the tour company Bike About, the space is decorated with colourful bike-themed illustrations, a shelf bearing beans from Belleville Brûlerie, and bright yellow chairs that you’ll recognise easily if you follow all the Parisian Instagrammers in the know.

Take a seat at the wooden bar to watch the friendly owners in action or perch on the stools by the window for a great view of the pretty balconies across the street. Our noisette (€3.50) was perfectly balanced, a lovely early morning treat along with a salted caramel doughnut from hip caterer Boneshaker (€4). Le Peloton’s menu also offers homemade sweet and savoury waffles, as well as tarts and cookies made by the popular...

Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I’ve been to many cafés in Paris and very rarely turned off by either service, product, or atmosphere, but this place managed to let me down in all three categories.

To be fair, the coffee was nice, couldn’t fault it all, but the croissant was dry, cold, and hardened. I know this is not a boulangerie, but I went there during brunch time and didn’t expect the baked goods to turn cold so fast.

When I arrived there were only four customers inside and I wanted to sit at the bar next to the counter. The male barista told me to move as other customers would walk past this area. Believing he meant well, I moved to the rear part of the cafe. I almost finished my coffee and croissants, and still no new customers coming in, but then a bike guy with a helmet came and sat there where I wanted to sit and started chatting with the staff. What does it means?

Some staff members used the toilet and left the door open. Even though it luckily didn’t smell but the view was still far...