Numéro 5 Paris

The mille-feuille is a favourite among visitors to Numéro 5 Paris, who return for its crisp pastry and delicately sweet cream. The menu describes it as a combination of carefully layered pastry and cream made with Madagascar vanilla beans. Reviewers praise the balance between the buttery pastry and the not-too-sweet custard; some say the pastry stayed crisp even after they took it home. If you are choosing just one cake, this classic is a natural place to start.

For something to take away, consider a scone. People who bought the plain or fig versions have enjoyed their tender yet satisfyingly crisp texture, and say they were good with just a little warming. One visitor described the scone as satisfying even on its own, making it an easy choice when you would rather not add cream. Canelés offer a contrast between a firm outer crust and a soft, moist centre. Some customers chose both vanilla and chocolate, making it possible to compare the flavours.

The cakes offer other combinations of ingredients and flavours to explore. One menu example, the Mont Blanc, layers chestnut and almond cream with raspberry jam, then brings together chestnut cream and Earl Grey cream. The menu has also featured a mango and jasmine tart, as well as a cheesecake combining mousse and baked cheesecake. Choose between the freshness of fruit and the richness of cheese, depending on your mood. One visitor was told that the cake selection changes with the seasons, so it is worth looking over the day’s offerings alongside the signature mille-feuille.

For a treat in the shop, pair a cake with coffee or a café latte. Visitors describe the eat-in arrangement as casual, with benches and chairs; it is better suited to enjoying a pastry on the spot than to lingering around a table. Takeaway is also available, so you could add some baked treats to a cake to enjoy at home or give as a gift.