It seems like lately the trend for cafes in any big city have skewed Japanese following the matcha craze. Paris is no exception. Case in point: Benchy, a petit, minimalist cafe that serves up coffee, tea and Japanese sandos. The low key façade would be easy to miss if not for what seems to be an endless stream of people queuing up outside. Inside, the minimalist industrial space transports you to a world of its own, of a simple kissaten which could perhaps exist just as well in Tokyo or Brooklyn or anywhere with an appreciation for the Japanese style of understated cool. Unfinished walls, mixed metal and marble and concrete textures, and a jazz soundtrack, exuding a serene effortless sense of style. Perhaps expected, coming from designer and owner Kaito Hori.

The front counter houses a large pastry case filled with perfect rows of fruit sandos and house made gateaus. In a culture known for the crusty bite of classic French bread, the fluffy milk bread in these sweet and savory sandos are more than worth coming out of your way for. It’s a little taste of the simple pleasures of a Japanese cafe with some Left Bank spirit.