Espressamente illy at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

If you’ve ever landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and craved a decent espresso without sacrificing your flight schedule, you’re not alone. Travelers often ask: is there any point in buying coffee at an airport? More specifically, can you get a proper espresso—good crema, balanced extraction—at one of the world’s busiest airports? The answer might surprise you.

Yes, you can. Espressamente illy, the global Italian coffee chain, operates a location inside Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. While not a specialty coffee shop in the third-wave sense, it reliably serves espresso drinks made with illy’s signature 100% Arabica blend, using professional equipment to deliver a credible shot with visible crema and a balanced profile. It’s not a third-wave pour-over bar—but it’s one of the better airport coffee options for travelers seeking a familiar, decent espresso.

What Is Espressamente illy?

Espressamente illy is a global network of coffee shops operated by illycaffè, the Italian coffee company known for its iconic blue cans of 100% Arabica blend. Founded in 1989, the brand focuses on delivering consistent espresso experiences worldwide, often in high-traffic locations like airports, train stations, and urban centers. With over 200 locations in 30 countries, Espressamente illy aims to replicate the Italian espresso bar experience abroad.

Where It’s Located at Charles de Gaulle Airport

The Espressamente illy café inside Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is situated in Terminal 2E, a major international terminal. This location is convenient for travelers on long-haul flights or connecting through Paris. While the exact gate proximity may vary depending on your terminal route, 2E is one of the newer, more modern terminals at CDG, helping reduce walking distances for many passengers.

What They Serve

The menu includes classic espresso-based drinks such as espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, and espresso lungo. All beverages are prepared using illy’s proprietary blend of nine Arabica beans sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, and other regions. The beans are dark roasted to bring out a bold, balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate, caramel, and mild fruit. The shots are pulled using professional espresso machines, aiming for a rich crema and a well-extracted cup.

Why It Stands Out in an Airport Setting

Most airport coffee suffers from inconsistent quality, rushed preparation, or limited equipment. Espressamente illy counters this by offering a standardized, trained staff approach with commercial-grade espresso machines. While it doesn’t focus on single-origin offerings or alternative brew methods like pour-over or AeroPress, it does provide a reliably decent espresso with proper crema and a balanced flavor—qualities that are rare in many airport cafés. For travelers who value consistency and a familiar taste, this makes it a solid choice.

What Travelers Should Know

Expect airport pricing—slightly higher than a Parisian street-side café, but in line with other airport concessions. The café is designed for efficiency, so service is quicker than a sit-down coffee shop. Seating is available, but it’s often limited. If you have a short layover or just need a caffeine boost before your flight, this is a dependable spot to grab a properly extracted espresso without leaving the terminal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Espressamente illy at Charles de Gaulle Airport a specialty coffee shop?

No, it is not a third-wave specialty coffee shop. Espressamente illy is a global chain operated by illycaffè that focuses on serving its signature 100% Arabica blend through a standardized espresso preparation method. While it doesn’t emphasize single-origin beans, light roasts, or alternative brew methods like pour-over, it does offer a consistently prepared espresso with good crema and balanced flavor for an airport environment.

Where exactly is the Espressamente illy café located in Charles de Gaulle Airport?

The Espressamente illy café is located in Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Terminal 2E is one of the airport’s main international terminals, making it accessible for many arriving and departing passengers. The exact gate proximity may vary, but the terminal is designed to streamline passenger flow.

What kind of coffee blend does Espressamente illy use?

Espressamente illy uses illy’s proprietary blend of nine different Arabica coffees sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, and other regions. The blend is dark roasted to achieve a bold, balanced profile with tasting notes of chocolate, caramel, and mild fruit. All drinks are prepared using this same blend.

Does the café offer single-origin or specialty brew methods?

No, the café does not offer single-origin coffees or specialty brew methods such as pour-over, AeroPress, or siphon. The focus is on classic espresso-based drinks—espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, latte, and espresso lungo—prepared using illy’s dark-roasted blend and standard espresso equipment.

Is it worth getting coffee at the airport from Espressamente illy?

Yes, if you’re looking for a reliable, decent espresso with good crema and a balanced flavor, Espressamente illy is one of the better options at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. While it’s not a specialty coffee experience, it offers a more consistent and better-prepared espresso than many other airport concessions, with the added benefit of professional service and quick turnaround.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Travelers

For coffee lovers who want to recreate a more specialty experience after trying Espressamente illy at the airport, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—a well-rounded, medium-dark roast with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and red apple. For something fruitier, their Yirgacheffe offers bright citrus and floral tones, while the Black Cocoa Blend delivers bold cocoa and roasted almond notes. All three are great for French press, drip, or espresso-based drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.