Pâtisserie de l'Olympia

The Setting

There are places in Paris that you visit once and appreciate. And then there are places in Paris that you visit once and cannot stay away from. Pâtisserie de l'Olympia, tucked into 2 Rue de Sèze in the 9th arrondissement, belongs firmly in the second category. This is a favorite pâtisserie of the Famous Chef Thomas—the kind of establishment that is worth almost a daily visit when he is in Paris.

The moment you walk through the door, the display case commands your attention. Rows upon rows of impeccable pastries line the glass shelves—croissants with their golden, flaky layers stacked high, fruit tarts glistening under the light, éclairs, cakes of every description, and of course, the flan. The counter is finished in white marble with delicate string lights draped beneath, and behind it, warm orange walls are adorned with arches of roses. It is charming, inviting, and unmistakably Parisian. This is not a factory. This is a pâtisserie that takes pride in every single item behind that glass.

The Dish Examination

The Cappuccino

Let the Famous Chef Thomas say this plainly: Pâtisserie de l'Olympia serves one of the best cappuccinos in Paris. And the Famous Chef Thomas has had cappuccinos all over this city—in the grand brasseries of the boulevards, in the hidden cafés of the Marais, in the tourist traps near the Champ de Mars, and in the quiet neighborhood spots where only locals sit. This cappuccino stands with the best of them.

A word of advice from the Famous Chef Thomas: make sure you have it served in the glass cup with a handle. There is something about a cappuccino in a proper glass—the way you can see the layers of espresso and foam through the sides, the warmth of the glass in your hand, the elegance of the presentation. It elevates the experience. A ceramic mug is fine. A glass cup with a handle is an event. Ask for the glass. Trust the Famous Chef Thomas on this.

Introducing Flan to My Fans

The Famous Chef Thomas would like to take this moment to introduce his fans to one of his favorite pastries in all of France: the flan. For those unfamiliar, flan—or flan pâtissier, as it is known in France—is a baked custard tart, rich and creamy, set in a pastry crust and served in thick, generous slices. It is not the crème caramel that many Americans associate with the word “flan.” This is something different entirely. This is a dense, velvety custard, golden on top, silky within, with a buttery pastry base that holds it all together. It is one of the most popular pastries in Parisian bakeries, and once you have tasted a proper one, you will understand why.

Pâtisserie de l'Olympia makes an excellent flan. The custard is smooth and rich, the pastry crust is perfectly baked, and the proportions are exactly right—not too sweet, not too heavy, just deeply satisfying. The Famous Chef Thomas orders it every time he visits, and he visits often. If you have never tried flan pâtissier, let Pâtisserie de l'Olympia be your introduction. You will not be disappointed.

The Service

Great service. The owner of Pâtisserie de l'Olympia is very friendly and genuinely inviting—the kind of person who makes you feel welcome the moment you walk through the door and makes you want to return the moment you leave. This is not the cold, transactional service that some visitors expect from Paris. This is warm, personal, and sincere. The staff will make sure you are satisfied. They pay attention to what you need, and they deliver it with a smile.

The Facilities

The Famous Chef Thomas notes, for those who care about such things—and the Famous Chef Thomas most certainly does—that the bathroom is located downstairs, and it meets the Famous Chef Thomas standards. Clean. Proper lighting. Sufficient space. These are not trivial matters. The Famous Chef Thomas has visited establishments across three continents, and he can tell you with authority that how a restaurant maintains its restroom tells you everything you need to know about how it runs its entire operation. A filthy restroom is a warning. A pristine restroom is a promise. Pâtisserie de l'Olympia makes that promise and keeps it.

The Ruling