Paris Cafes - Ordering Soft Drinks

Russ: I'm sorry to report bad news: Those who drink neither wine nor coffee are no longer allowed inside the historical core area of Paris. There are automatic cameras that enforce this new city regulation, if they photograph you without a cup of coffee or glass of wine in your hands, you'll receive a €125 fine in the mail months after your return. :) Not! (you'll be okay. the locals may think you're a little different, but so what....)Go for it!

Just don't be surprised or upset if your soft drink costs you as much or more than a glass of wine.

A lovely thing to order is a citron presse
(Press-a) which is similar to a lemonade.
very French and very fresh-tasting.
Bon voyage!

Orangina all the way! And if they sell it in France, try some of Tönissteiner's fruit flavored beverages.

Yes, soda is available at Paris cafes. As Karen notes though, the price of soda will be more than wine. When our group of four went to lunch, my friend and I shared a large carafe of white wine (7 Euros), and the other two girls ordered Cokes (which cost 5 Euros each). They were quite shocked to see that their two Cokes cost more than our carafe of wine.

You'll also likely get only 1 or 2 small ice cubes in your glass. If you are a typical ice loving American order it "avec beaucoup glacons s'il vous plais". This means with a lot of ice, please. Put a big smile on your face and your waiter will be amused enough to bring you a full glass of ice with your soft drink.

Have fun.

not only are the soft drinks expensive but you may end up getting a bottle with about 8 ounces of soda.

One trick I learned from the relatives in Italy - order a small amount of wine and a bottle of water with gas. Then you dilute the wine with the water. Tasted pretty good and was a good deal.

Just returned from Paris 5/19 and did alot of cafe sitting enjoying Coke and Coke Light. Pepsi is limited. I am a big Orangina fan too but didn't see it alot on menus, I belive it was Fanta. I tried the lemon press (citron presse) and added water and sugar to make lemonade, it was straight natural lemon juice; similar to a lemon shake up without the sugar. Hot Chocolate is very good at cafes too.

There's an ugly rumour that there are three price levels in Parisian cafes .....

normal - standing at the bar
expensive - sitting at an INside table
tourist - sitting at a sidewalk table

There's a little passtime for you! Spot where the Parisians are in the cafe!!

Roger Bruton

http://www.fermedecandeloup.fr

yes, it is less expensive to stand at the bar...but for a bit more you can sit as long as you want at a table.."Even" Parisiens drink Perrier...And Orangina in the cute little glass bottles still exists. Not just tourists relax at the sidewalk tables...Regina

I do think it is important to note, there are no refillable sodas,, and they really are small , compared to what we North Americans expect.

When with my teenager I would allow him one soda at dinner, the rest of the meal was tap water. The idea is the soda is a treat,, not to be guzzled, lets be honest, soda is crap for you anyways( and yes, I like my diet coke as much as anyone, LOL )
We also bought six packs of soda from stores and kept them in the room fridge for late night drinks etc.

No one has mentioned fruit juice! I would pick that over a soda any day of the week. Or just a plain bottle of Evian or the free carafes of tap water that the restaurants have when you dine.

Lots of people do not drink wine when they go out, for whatever reason, so do not feel like you are going to stick out or be odd. You don't have to drink coffee either. Tea is also available.

This reminds me of a story. Last fall I was in Germany with my husband, our son and his girlfriend. At our first dinner, when the waitress came to our table, my son asked for four glasses of tap water (in German). If looks could kill, we would all be six feet under in Mittenwald today. (I'm not a beer drinker, but the other three just hadn't decided what beer they wanted yet.)

There are plenty of other options besides wine and coffee. I love Orangina, and even if it's not listed on the menu, they probably have it. There is always Coke and Coke Light, just don't expect ice or refills. If you ask for ice in French they will probably be happy to give you some. The good cafes make their own fresh squeezed fruit juices. Tea is also an option. There are lots of tea rooms with extensive selections. No one ever thinks of the French being tea people, but a lot of them actually take a note from the English afternoon tea tradition.
Some of the best hot chocolate I've ever had was in Paris. I'm sure it must have been made in-house.
I also adore Perrier and other sparkling mineral waters. If you just want to sit at a cafe and people watch, order a bottle of mineral water. You're welcome to sit there as long as you'd like, even if all you order is 1 drink.
Bottom line, there are plenty of options...just study up on the phrases you'll need to use. You will always get better service if you try to use French!

I am a diet coke addict... but have learned to nurse 1 can per meal, and drink plenty of water, since water is not as pricey as the sodas.

You will find no problem finding other options besides wine and coffee.