The Century-Old Parisian Dessert Shop: Angelina Paris

When talking about Paris, France, aside from the charming streets and world-famous landmarks, you simply cannot miss the French desserts! After spending the morning at the Louvre Museum, admiring Mona Lisa’s smile, we strolled along the small streets next to the Tuileries Garden and came across a restaurant with a long line of people waiting. This was none other than Angelina Paris, the iconic century-old dessert shop. Founded by Antoine Rumpelmayer in 1903, Angelina was named after his wife.

The exterior design of Angelina is predominantly brown with touches of gold, giving it a refined and elegant feel. As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by a stunning display of desserts, including Angelina’s signature – Mont-Blanc, a chestnut cream cake. The variety of pastries was so tempting that even someone like me, who usually doesn’t eat sweets, couldn’t resist wanting to try some!

After waiting in line for over an hour, we finally got a table to sit down and enjoy the desserts! Once we placed our order, the desserts were promptly served.

Mont-Blanc: Once cut open, the cake revealed layers of meringue and fresh cream, with small chunks of something resembling sugar crystals at the bottom. The rich chestnut paste on top was beautifully piped, and with just one bite, the intense chestnut flavour filled my mouth, lingering in the air with every breath.
Eclair Praline: This is a long, finger-shaped choux pastry filled with cream, developed into various types of éclairs and choux pastries over the years. The highlight of the éclair is its smooth, delicate texture – one bite and you’re hooked, finishing it as quickly as lightning, hence the name. Compared to the Mont-Blanc, the éclair was sweet but not overwhelming, with a distinct caramel flavour that developed in the mouth. The long shape makes it easy to eat, and the balance between the crispy shell and the fresh cream inside was perfect, leaving a satisfying mouthfeel without being too greasy.
Macarons: We randomly chose four different coloured macarons, as you have to order a set of four for dine-in. The macarons were standard – crispy on the outside, with a soft interior that had a noticeable texture from the filling. A classic dessert, done just right.
Angelina Tea: I highly recommend this tea. It’s light and elegant, with a subtle tea flavour that pairs perfectly with the sweet desserts. There’s no overpowering floral aroma, just a gentle tea scent that’s perfect for cleansing the palate after indulging in sweets.

If you’re dining at Angelina, I’d suggest ordering two desserts and two drinks between two people to avoid feeling overwhelmed by sweetness. We made the mistake of ordering an extra set of macarons, and it ended up being a bit too much, so we packed it up to take home and enjoy later. Also, European desserts tend to be on the sweeter side, so I recommend bringing some water or ordering extra tea to balance out the richness!

📍Angelina Paris
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France