AA Gikanda Ndaroini

David Flynn, Thomas Lehoux of Ten Belles, and Anselme Blayney came together in 2013 to found Belleville Brulerie in Paris's 19th arrondissement, across from Parc des Buttes Chaumont. When they opened, there were only about five coffee shops in the city they felt they could work with, and Belleville helped spark the specialty wave that has since spread across town. Head roaster Mihaela Iordache leads the production side, and the beans are now distributed to some of Paris's best known cafes including Fondation and Holybelly. The roasting philosophy draws inspiration from French artisan traditions, particularly the varietal blending approach of cognac and wine, resulting in signature assemblages like La Pantoufle and Chateau Belleville that the team believes stand up to any single origin. Saturday public cuppings at the roastery follow a three stage tasting process with discussion periods, and the concept cafe La Fontaine de Belleville proved that great specialty coffee could thrive in a classic Parisian street side setting.