Café Berry Paris: My Favourite Brunch in the Marais, Ten Years On

I have known Café Berry since the day it opened, almost ten years ago now.

My older sister Shirley had just opened the café at 10 rue Chapon in the Marais, and I have watched it evolve every time I have returned to Paris.

The décor has changed, as has the menu, the dishes have become even more beautiful, and the entire image of Café Berry has truly come into its own.

Obviously, it's my sister's cafe, so I might seem a bit biased to you. But honestly, it's not just because it's her that I say the food there is (too) good.

For me, Berry remains one of the best brunches in the Marais.

Go and see for yourself and you will see that EVERYTHING is good.

Ten years of Café Berry

Looking back at the beginning, I realise just how much the café has changed.

I used to visit Paris occasionally to see my sister, so I sometimes discovered the changes months — or even years — later: a new menu, new interiors, new dishes and a stronger identity.

Over the years, Shirley has continually developed the café. Since Jey joined her, they have taken the project even further together.

Café Berry has never been stuck in its first version, and that's a good thing!

The logo, the colours, the merch, the decor, the details in the coffee shop... everything has become stronger and more cohesive. Without overdoing it either.

It remains a café where people come to eat, chat, sit on the terrace and share a meal.

So naturally, I love it.

What's on the menu at Café Berry?

Right, we're going to get down to business.

When we last went with Greg, we had the bacon and egg muffin, the Turkish eggs, the grilled cheese and the granola. Yes, yes, all of that.

I am a Libra, so I hesitate over absolutely everything. At some point, life becomes easier if you simply order it all and take the leftovers home.

Or not. We've finished everything. And it even seems to me that Greg had a little strawberry tart, just to finish things off nicely!

The bacon and egg muffin is the kind of dish I love for brunch. It's hearty, indulgent, a bit sweet and savoury, and you don't need to order anything else afterwards, (in theory).

The Turkish eggs were also far too good. The eggs, the tomatoes, the herbs, the well-spiced sauce… everything went wonderfully together. It’s the dish I’d have when I fancy something a bit fresher, but still really satisfying.

The grilled cheese is equally simple on paper and genuinely well made. It is the kind of dish you plan to taste once before somehow eating the whole thing.

And then there is the granola…

Honestly, it is the best granola I have ever had.

You need to try it immediately. The yoghurt, fruit and granola are perfectly balanced — neither too dry nor too sweet. I never imagined I would discuss granola this seriously, but it is so often treated as the forgettable option.

Everything looks as good as it tastes

What I like about Café Berry is that everything looks appetising as soon as the plates arrive.

The plates are colourful, generous and beautifully presented, but the appeal does not stop with the photograph. The food delivers too.

We all know those Parisian brunches where you're mainly paying for a pretty plate for Instagram. It looks very nice, but you come away still hungry and a bit on edge.

That does not happen at Café Berry.

The portions are generous, the dishes are properly considered and the prices make sense for what comes out of the kitchen.

And I much prefer paying a bit more knowing that it's well worth it, rather than paying almost the same for three bits of avocado placed on toast where soon you'll have to make your own slice.

I like to start my days with a workout before treating myself to a proper breakfast. I'm actually going to tell you why incline power walking has become my favourite cardio.

How Shirley and Jey have developed Café Berry

Since Shirley has been with Jey, they've really moved Café Berry forward together.

You can see it in the menu and the entire image of the café. The logo has changed, the merchandise has become part of the identity, the colours are stronger and every detail feels more intentional. That is natural — all good projects evolve.

I particularly like the fact that the merch really looks like the coffee. The pieces work with the universe, and you can wear them without feeling like you're advertising a brunch.

They have developed the café without making it too polished. It remains lively: people talk, the kitchen moves and there is always something happening behind the counter.

The little terrace

I love the little terrace right next door. It's lovely in summer, of course, but also the rest of the year. This is Paris; as soon as there's a ray of sunshine, everyone goes outside. Even in coats.

It's not huge, so it can get busy quickly, especially at the weekend. But when you manage to get a table outside, it's really pleasant. You can enjoy the neighbourhood, eat well, and watch the people go by.

It feels easy and relaxed.

When is the best time to visit Café Berry?

Weekends can get busy quickly. I'd advise you to come quite early.

During the week, it might be a tad quieter (though not guaranteed), so we can take a bit more time.

Expect to queue for your dishes, and yes! Further proof that it's really worth it.

The menu can vary, so the best thing to do is look at the dishes of the moment before coming. But honestly, everything looks tempting. My advice remains the same: if you are hesitating, you get everything.

Worst case, you take the rest home. Best case, like us, you finish everything.

A second Café Berry on rue Chapon

Shirley and Jey are preparing to open a second Café Berry on rue Chapon. I cannot reveal anything else yet because the rest needs to remain a surprise.

After ten years of watching the first coffee shop evolve, it's great to see them launch a second location together.

I'm keeping the info for later, but knowing my sister, it's going to be ace!

My honest Café Berry review

I've known Berry at 10 rue Chapon since day one, and I saw the first decor, the first menus, and then everything that changed afterwards.

EVERYTHING is good. The plates are generous, beautiful and properly made, the terrace is lovely, the prices feel fair and the café’s visual identity has evolved enormously over the years.

The granola is almost worth the trip on its own.

I promise, you will not be disappointed.