Angelina is a famous Parisian patisserie and tea salon known for its exquisite pastries, macarons and iconic hot chocolate. Established in 1903, Angelina has been a favourite spot for Parisian aristocracy and celebrities, creating a Belle Epoque ambiance that exudes elegance and indulgence.
Why is Angelina Paris so Famous?
Angelina Paris is renowned for its rich history dating back to 1903, creating an elegant and indulgent Belle Epoque ambiance that has attracted Parisian aristocracy and celebrities for over a century.
Imagine going back in time, rubbing shoulder-fitting suits with the likes of Coco Chanel seated at the marble tables.
an exquisite space, somewhere between serenity and indulgence
Angelina Paris on its Belle Epoque interior
What is the Famous Dessert at Angelina Paris?
The famous dessert at Angelina Paris is the Mont-Blanc pastry, which has been their signature pastry since 1903.
It's a mound of chestnut paste vermicelli that encases light whipped cream and a meringue heart.
You'd think with the chestnut purée and meringue that the dessert would be pretty sweet? That's what makes Paris's top pastries so special: they're surprisingly not as sweet as you'd think.
Variations on le Mont-Blanc
Every winter, a new Mont Blanc variation comes out and it's a sheer beauty. If this pâtisserie was on the fashion week catwalk, it would be the bride in the finale.
Particularly memorable tastings include one made with coffee, a coconut and passion fruit twist and another around raspberries.
If you're in Paris around the beginning of November, Angelina usually host a special Mont-Blanc day. This way you can taste their featured annual variations on their famous dessert. You'll find the Mont-Blanc is also featured as one of their top macaron flavours.
Even a pot of their Mont-Blanc tea is an ideal match to accompany such delicate treats. Don't taste it with milk but on its own, with its hints of maple, candied chestnuts and apricot with toffee aromas.
More of Their Classic Pastries
Just take a look at this platter. It mainly consists of the regular classic collection which are available all year round.
Angelina's classic pastries include the flaky vanilla mille-feuille, the chocolate éclair and the Paris-Brest praline patisserie (I have recipes in my book, Teatime in Paris). I'm always a fan of a plain tarte au citron, with theirs often topped with vanilla marshmallows.
However, the spotlight is also on their seasonal collections, featuring new gourmet patisseries that capture the essence of the season. While summer means berries, particularly le fraisier with strawberries, winter options can be even more interesting.
Winter welcomes citrus fruits of lemon and limes, clementines, plus pears and apples. Don't forget the chestnuts - last winter season's highlight was a chestnut cheesecake.
Is Angelina's Hot Chocolate Worth it?
Angelina's hot chocolate, the "Choc Africain", is widely regarded as a luxurious indulgence that is definitely worth trying. It's named "African" since it's a blend of cacao varieties from Niger, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Served with a dollop of whipped cream, it's definitely a dessert on its own!
See my updated local guide to the best hot chocolate in Paris
Who Owns Angelina Paris?
Angelina Paris is owned by the Bertrand Restauration group, a renowned hospitality company that oversees a diverse portfolio of restaurants and eateries in France. The group acquired Angelina in 2005, continuing the legacy of this iconic Parisian tea salon and preserving its reputation for exceptional pastries, macarons, and hot chocolate.
Do You Tip in Paris?
This is something I get asked a lot and for years we have taken this for granted. In France, and Paris, service in restaurants and cafés is included. It's marked at the bottom of the bill and so, please don't feel obliged to leave a tip.
However, if you feel that service was really exceptional, then leave something. But be aware in many establishments that tipping is not expected.
Do you Need a Reservation for Angelina Paris?
It's no longer possible to reserve a table so it's first come, first served.
To avoid regular queues like this, I strongly recommend you arrive out of peak weekend hours or during high season. Expect to wait about 15-30 minutes.
Thankfully, they now have an 'overflow' hot chocolate stand outside the shop for convenient take-aways. So enjoy in the Tuileries Gardens across the road. Note that other boutiques, like the one on rue du Bac (on Paris pastry street) doesn't have a tea salon. However, for a less crowded teatime, I'd recommend their Mademoiselle Angelina tearoom, at the Palais de Luxembourg.
Plus don't forget, if it's for hot chocolate or the tea salon ambience, then there are plenty of other choices throughout Paris, notably by area in my guide below.
For more information on tea salons by arrondissement, see my
Guide to the Best Tearooms in Paris
I'll leave you with a few sweet Mont-Blanc macarons, filled with a chestnut cream and topped with crushed meringue.
Angelina Tearoom
226 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Metro: Tuileries
gotaram
These pastries looks so beautiful~ I want to visit Angelina now~ Thank you for sharing!
Rose
We chose the Paris-New York pastries. It was, of course absolutely divine but I could have sworn I could taste hazlenut in the cream, even though it has a pecan on the top! No complaints. I have to admit that I find the little container of cream served up with it seems over the top. Do you really need it with such a rich, creamy confection? I didn't use it.
Francois Girondut
Beautiful photos and excellent post. I have to go to Angelina's now...
Ann
Honestly, I'm intrigued by the Mont-Blanc Coco -- would never think to pair those tropical flavors with chestnut. Curious to try it! 🙂
Jill Colonna
You'd love it Ann. I even say I prefer it to the classic ...
Parisbreakfast
Did you see their special upside down Mont Blanc Jill?
Only on for 1 day..who knows why? The base was chestnut and the topping was...cream?
Either sublime or desperation.
Jill Colonna
I could only see it on instagram since I couldn't make it into Paris during the day - alas. That's why I mentioned it for anyone who could make it in today on this post. Lucky mont-blancers.
Thomasina
I would definitely try the Mont Blanc with chestnut cream. I have passed this establishment but I had no time to queue and I knew it must be a great place. Sounds like the way to spend an afternoon in Paris Jill. Also so lovely of them to give you a box to take home. The new pastries look and sound incredible.
Lucie
I LOVED this place in Paris! The staff were so friendly, their patisseries are sublime and the winter collection mont-blanc's fruitiness is worth the wait in the queue! 🙂
Jill Colonna
I hear you Lucie. Yes, the staff were adorable which all added to the charm of the place.
Christina @ Christina's Cucina
I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that I didn't have a clue about Angelina 2 months ago! 🙁 I was SO NEAR BY! Everything looks sublime, and honestly, to only choose one signifies a special kind of torture! I'm a coconut fiend, so the new coconut pastry would definitely be one of my choices, but I also love praline, so the Paris-NY Brest would have to be in there, too. Oh, and one of the eclairs and DEFINITELY the hot chocolate! I need to leave now...my saliva is messing up my keyboard. 🙁
Jill Colonna
But I thought you were in good hands and did Rue du Bac? Angelina has a boutique there but not the tearoom as they have here in rue de Rivoli. All the more reason for us to do Paris together next time Christina ...
Liz
Oh, my. The choices. The decisions! What an amazing array of sweets---Angelina's is such an iconic patisserie---thanks for sharing the winter collection with us. YUM!
Jill Colonna
I wish we only had decisions like this to make Liz. I couldn't believe that tray that arrived for you!
Jean-Pierre D
That Mont-Blanc with the coconut does look good. I love the classic version but this new one sounds delicious Jill.
Jill Colonna
I can absolutely say I even prefer it to the classic Jean-Pierre.
David
The Choc Africain would be my choice but, honestly, I usually go to Angelina to drink the chocolat à l'Africain! I love it, and there is nowhere else in the world that has it!
Jill Colonna
David - imagine the double whammy together! Sure that would keep you going for a while ...