Paris’ eateries are places with real soul, where food and drink provide the backdrop for neighborhood crowds to meet up and run the rule over the burning political issues of the moment.

This tiny, timeless corner café is one such place, where the loitering mob of locals enjoy their aperitifs—like the pastis at 2,20€ or Martini at 2,50€—before diving into the menu that combines its Basque roots with a rustic, southwestern French touch.

A range of inventive drinks, fresh beer, along with tasty treats such as Basque serrano ham and a myriad of delicious Spanish sausages will see you right whilst you brush up on your current affairs. Fear not if the conversation runs a little too highbrow for comfort: There’s a Spanish guitar lying around at your disposal and an endearingly snobbish, but workable crowd to distract with your best Jacques Brel rendition.