My favourite cafés in Monaco for coffee, pastries and elegant little breaks
Monaco is not really a “grab a quick coffee and go” kind of place. Even the smallest break somehow turns into a moment – sitting on Place du Casino in the sun, stopping for pastries inside Hôtel de Paris, ordering a matcha after a walk by the sea, or taking a short break between shopping and meetings.
If you’re looking for the best coffee spots in Monaco, wondering where to drink coffee in Monte-Carlo, or searching for cafés and pastry places actually worth stopping at, these are the places I genuinely keep returning to.
Some feel iconic and very Monaco, others are quieter and more relaxed, but all of them offer a different side of Monaco café culture that I really enjoy.
Before we start though, if coffee is not enough and you’re looking for proper lunch and dinner spots too, my full Monaco restaurant guide is waiting for you HERE.
1. Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo & Bar Américain
Address: Place du Casino, central Monte-Carlo location
Best for: iconic Monaco coffee and people watching
What to order: coffee, pastries or evening cocktails
Vibe: lively, classic, touristy but still beautiful
Good to know: expect queues, especially during peak season
Let’s start with the ultra-touristy Monaco classic – but honestly, it would feel wrong not to mention it here. Café de Paris, Hôtel de Paris and Bar Américain are all steps away from each other and very much part of that iconic Monte-Carlo experience people imagine before coming to Monaco.
Yes, Café de Paris is busy, touristy and you should absolutely prepare for queues and waiting, especially during the season. But at the same time, the location really is incredible. Sitting right on Place du Casino, with that view and atmosphere around you, it still somehow feels worth doing at least once.
For something slightly calmer and a bit more refined, I much prefer walking inside Hôtel de Paris afterwards or stopping at Bar Américain for coffee or drinks. It feels more intimate, more elegant and slightly removed from the chaos outside, while still giving you that classic Monaco atmosphere.
image credits: @cafedeparismc
2. Cédric Grolet Monte-Carlo
Address: Hôtel de Paris, Place du Casino Price range: $$$ Best for: pastries, tea and slower coffee breaks What to order: seasonal pastries, croissants and tea Vibe: refined, quiet, luxury pâtisserie experience Good to know: ideal for mornings and afternoon breaks
Cédric Grolet is completely different from Café de Paris, even though they’re both connected to Hôtel de Paris. This feels much more like a luxury pastry and tea experience rather than a traditional café.
You come here specifically for the pastries, viennoiseries and beautifully presented desserts that people already know from Paris. The setting feels softer, quieter and more polished, and it’s one of those places that turns a simple coffee break into an actual experience.
shop my look
3. Cova Monte-Carlo
Address: Boulevard des Moulins, Monaco
Price range: $$–$$$
Best for: elegant coffee breaks and Italian pastries
What to order: cappuccino, pastries and light breakfast options
Vibe: polished, Milanese, elegant but still relaxed
Good to know: quieter than the Casino area cafés
Cova has that elegant Milanese energy that instantly makes sense in Monaco. It feels polished and refined, but still very relaxed at the same time. I especially like it for slower mornings or an afternoon coffee when I want something a bit calmer than the Casino square area.
The pastries are beautiful, the coffee is consistently good, and overall it has a very timeless Italian atmosphere that feels easy to enjoy.
4. Mada One
Address: One Monte-Carlo, central Monaco location
Price range: $$
Best for: coffee breaks between shopping and meetings
What to order: coffee, pastries and lighter lunch options
Vibe: modern, relaxed, stylish, easy-going atmosphere
Good to know: works well any time of day
Mada One feels much more modern and everyday in the best possible way. Located in One Monte-Carlo, it’s the kind of place that works perfectly for a coffee between shopping, meetings or simply walking around Monaco.
Compared to some of the more classic Monaco spots, this one feels younger, more relaxed and slightly more lifestyle-focused. It’s also very practical because you can genuinely stop here at any point during the day.
image credits: @madaonemc
5. Tenka Matcha
Address: Fairmont Monte-Carlo, seaside Monaco location
Price range: $$
Best for: matcha breaks and lighter wellness-focused drinks
What to order: ceremonial matcha and iced matcha drinks
Vibe: calm, minimal, modern, wellness-oriented atmosphere
Good to know: perfect after a walk by the sea
Tenka Matcha is probably the most wellness-focused spot on this list. Located inside the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, it feels very different from the more classic coffee places around Monaco and offers something slightly fresher and more modern.
This is where I would go when I want matcha instead of coffee, especially after a walk by the sea or before a slower afternoon. The whole concept feels calm, minimal and very lifestyle-oriented.
Coffee in Monaco is never really just coffee. Sometimes it’s a long breakfast on Place du Casino, sometimes it’s pastries inside Hôtel de Paris, and sometimes it’s simply a quiet break in between everything else.
These are the Monaco coffee spots I genuinely return to depending on the mood, time of day and kind of atmosphere I want. So if you’re planning a trip and wondering where to go for coffee, pastries or matcha in Monaco, this is a very good place to start.
