Apart from its fine big terrace overlooking the famous square of Place de la Contrescarpe, once home to Ernest Hemingway and now host to occasional jazz concerts in summer, this café doesn’t look particularly exceptional from the outside. Indoors, though, it’s a classic, with three seating areas to choose from: an ‘English-style’ library at the front, with dark walnut bookshelves, green walls and squishy brown-leather club chairs; a light-filled dining room with wicker chairs, off which is hidden a discreet drinking den, with low, cushioned seating; and, finally, a delightful little patio with generously spaced tables and bushy shrubs. The kitchen turns out bistro favourites such as great chicken and chips and confit de canard; locals and tourists devour bargain lunch menus (from 16 Euro), while students spend hours chatting away on leather banquettes.