End of the Year Issue
By Catarina Vita
September
After a lamented farewell to our beloved Edwige Coffee’s previous owners, students at Sciences Po Menton are rummaging through the city for a new favorite bakery and study spot. Since beginning my first year at Sciences Po, I have always aimed to diversify my go-to study space or occasional pause salée ou sucrée. So although the departure of Edwige Coffee owners was one of the most heartbreaking pieces of news in Menton I’ve heard over the previous weeks, I have a few notable croissant alternatives that can hold me up during class, besides other relaxing study spaces that are ideal for desperate Sciences Pistes that cannot focus at their homes or the campus library. This review will analyze affordability, tastiness, location, and overall service.
Noailles - 15 Av. Félix Faure
When you are in the old town and rushing towards the train station, you usually spot a big, red café with chalkboard menus, but never take the time to give it a try. I tried this bakery and was surprised to find an amazing brunch and study spot. They generously served bagels with fries and fillings such as chicken or salmon, a phenomenal selection of teas (orange is my go-to), and — yes — chai lattes! In a frappé form, Noailles can serve chai cold. Besides bagels, some other lunch options include salads, omelets, poke bowls and club sandwiches, not to mention their array of sweet and savory patisseries. Noailles has a wide space with various tables, and it is often empty with surprisingly fast Wi-Fi, making it an optimal place to study. The prices are relatively high, but in relation to the general Menton price range, I would describe Noailles’ prices as one or two euros above average. However, if you just order a tea and a croissant and spend the entire day at the place, they will not kick you out — speaking from personal experience.
Caffè Italiano - 1 Av. Félix Faure
Returning from a tedious meeting with Societé Generale in September 2022, I spotted a different coffee shop from the ones I had already seen during my short stay in Menton. I wanted something energizing and cold to revitalize me during the scalding Riviera summer. Originally planning to get a bottled iced tea, I decided to get one of their coffee frappés. Simply one of the best decisions I have ever made in Menton so far. Sadly, their frappés are only available during summer and spring, meaning you can get a frappé again starting April or May 2023. When I returned to get a frappé recently, however, I was unfortunately surprised by the change of taste from September to early April. I would like to assume that it was just bad luck, and the Caffè Italiano still serves the best coffee frappé in Menton. Although Caffè Italiano is spacious, it is consistently full, so I have never tried their Wi-Fi or studied there. I would describe their prices as a little more accessible than other Menton coffee shops and bakeries.
Atelier Boulanger - 49 Rue d'Adhémar de Lantagnac
Once when I was walking towards U-Express near the train station, I saw two women with Atelier Boulanger bags, exclaiming in between large croissant bites: “c’est la meilleure boulangerie de Menton!” I could not agree more. Home to the best croissant in Menton, Atelier Boulanger never ceases to amaze me. If you ever need a quick lunch by the beach, try to get a hold of their fantastic chicken burgers or wraps with goat cheese. However, what makes Atelier Boulanger different from any place in Menton is their caramel lattes. If you ask for a splash of caramel syrup with your latte, you will be surprised with a Starbucks-level drink without Starbucks-level prices. Besides caramel, there is also the option of Speculoos syrup, but how the caramel harmonizes with the latte macchiato is simply remarkable. If Atelier Boulanger had Wi-Fi and a proper place for studying, be sure that I would be seen there constantly. However, Atelier Boulanger is not the best place to study, given its tight space and few tables.
Vanilla Bakery - 3 Av. Félix Faure
If my emotional attachment to Atelier Boulanger never existed, Vanilla Bakery would be my favorite boulangerie in Menton. Supplied with an endless array of pastries, from the biggest to smallest croissants you’ve ever seen in Menton, Vanilla Bakery will give you anything to satisfy your cravings. They also have the best-iced coffee I’ve tasted in a while, especially if you ask for a dash of vanilla and a good amount of sugar. The staff is also the kindest I have experienced in Menton, and they will let you enjoy their sofas, tables, and fast Wi-Fi whenever you have to cram for a midterm or finish up a presentation.
Il Capriccio - 26 Rue de la République
Ideal for a quick lunch or coffee date, but not a study session, Il Capriccio is my go-to place. With amazing outdoor tables and a cozy indoor atmosphere, Il Capriccio is the perfect place to enjoy a 12 Euro carbonara, one of the best, if not the best, of Menton’s restaurants. Their espressos and cappuccinos are well done, and their croissants and pastries complement perfectly. Although their space and food appear ideal for a study session, the staff will ask you to leave if you pull out your computer and eat nothing.