Paris Cafes

Generally speaking, if you find an empty table, feel free to sit down and a waiter will come to take your order. Be aware that when the table is set with cutlery and napkins, it is being reserved for a lunch (or dinner) crowd, and by sitting there, you are indicating that you wish to order a meal of some kind, rather than lighter fare like coffee or other beverages. One of the nicer aspects of café life in Paris is that when you sit at a table and order a drink, no one seems anxious to shoo you away, and you can enjoy a longer period of people watching than you might think. In Italy, there seems to be a time limit for dawdling, although that varies from one café to the next.

Our experience varies a little. If access is open, then sitting down should be OK. However, if have to go through the restaurant to access the outdoor part then you may need to see the waiter first. Sometimes signs are posted. Just look around for a minute or two to see if you can determine the situation.

If a waiter is visible, it's certainly nice to at least catch his eye before sitting.

Another thing I've noticed is that if there is any kind of enclosure around the outside seating area, a waiter might want to seat you, but maybe not. It is a good idea to pause and look around to see if you catch the eye of a waiter.

We have found that if it is a table just for drinks you can simply sit where you like. If you are there for a meal they usually prefer to seat you at a table reserved for that purpose, especially if it's busy.

It is a bit of a dance. Ordinary cafes with a row of seats outside not set for lunch -- just sit and order. Near mealtimes even empty restaurants may be reserved full; we always catch the eye of a waiter and indicate a table and then if things are reserved they tell you,or they indicate you can take the table. When in doubt or if the terrace is sort of gated off, then check with the waiter. But a bunch of people just having drinks -- just sit -- for meals or when in doubt catch the waiter's eye.

Coffee bars have three-tier pricing -- lowest when standing at the bar, medium if sitting down inside, premium for a seat on the terrace.

And FWIW. prices are much lower at cafes and bars on the edges of Paris or in non-touristy neighborhoods. Two tier pricing is standard pretty much i.e. a quick coffee at the bar is about 1.20 but sitting down and served is much more. Sometimes there is 3 tier pricing: bar, inside, outside. And it is absolutely not ok to order at the bar and then carry your coffee to a seat. Once you have your drink and are seated, you can remain indefinitely.

I'm curious what the cost differential is between a cup of coffee consumed standing at a bar inside a restaurant versus seated outside along the street.

I don't hang around restaurants drinking coffee. It's not my habit; hence my question. But I'm curious.

I'm especially curious if the cost differential is substantial enough such that someone who has spent a few (or several) thousand dollars on their vacation to visit Paris would consider it large enough to influence their choice.

I've paid as much as 7 to 8 euros for a cafe creme seated outside, which I think is a bit excessive, but in certain areas such as Place Vosges, on Rue Montaigne, or near Palais Royale, it is to be expected. A small cafe (espresso) can be as little as 2 euros outside. The thing is, for the price of a cup of coffee you can stay as long as you want and enjoy some world-class people watching, as well as avail yourself of "les toilettes." When I'm tired and need a rest, I think it's a bargain.