Brasseries like this are the life-force of Paris. Patrons of the ever-ready Le Soleil—which evidently takes its name from the sizable terrace that basks in the afternoon sun during the Summer season—pass their time by watching over the hustle of Ménilmontant on the off-white plastic chairs whilst slurping down a mint tea or the kind of jet black, ultra strength coffee that comes as standard in these kinds of places.

Here you can really experience the true life Parisian. Order yourself a demi, bring a pack of lung-bustlingly heavy Gauloises, marvel at the stunning fluorescent lighting that gives the Café a smidge of an ‘80s Scarface/Miami vibe, and leave a nice tip for the brothers that run it with a truly unique, warm and genuinely friendly service style—something that seems so hard to come by in Paris these days. In short, this place couldn’t be more classically Parisian if it tried.