Image by Harriet O'Brien

The Faitout is a cosy, ramshackle sort of place popular with Belleville residents who return time and again for the laid-back atmosphere and the great food (not to mention the free Internet).

The staff are young and friendly – the café I-Pod is usually handed round for the customers to choose the music, and free popcorn circulates in the late afternoon.

The menu’s varied and not expensive, including classic French elements such as blanquette de veau (veal stew), mixed charcuterie and salads as well as more worldly dishes like thai curry and Moroccan couscous. All are consistently well prepared and presented. There is also a good selection of wines.

A book shelf along one wall contains novels, guide books and odd miscellany in a selection of languages (mainly French and English) as well as board games. The attraction of the Faitout is easy to conceive, and for me this really lies in the comfort of the large leather booths where many happy hours can be spent reading, eating, drinking…indeed if it’s lazing about you seek, then the Faitout is just the place.

The bar and terrace fill up later on with an artsy local crowd. Blankets on the terrace ensure smokers may take their time on cold evenings.

They have a new website/blog with details of what’s going.

P.S. Try the syrup with coffee.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Faitout | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (Intern.) | Hibiscus tea € 3.50
23 Avenue Simon Bolivar | Belleville/Nation | +33142080709
08:00 – 01:00 daily