Lost, hungry and found: A night in the Latin Quarter

Visited the famous Le Caveau de la Huchette last night. And no—I didn’t wait in line.

It all started with a dream about pasta. After a long day holed up in my apartment, I was starving and figured: why not explore? The 5th arrondissement, aka the Latin Quarter, had never met me, so tonight seemed perfect. I hopped on the train and let Google guide me. It suggested Rue Mouffetard. Sounded good.

I wandered along the street, eyes wide at the cafes, brasseries and tantalizing smells, but my heart had only one craving: creamy, perfect pasta.

And that’s when I found… something even better.

As I searched for my next stop, trying to navigate without face-planting into a lamppost, I passed a guy in bright colors with a friendly grin. I smiled. He smiled back.

When I finally reached a restaurant, my stomach ready to declare victory, the door… was closed. Cue dramatic growl.

Resigned, I put my phone away and decided to let fate (or at least my feet) guide me. That’s when I heard:

“Bonsoir!”

It was the same guy. He started speaking rapid-fire French, throwing compliments my way. When he asked if I spoke English, my confused look probably said it all.

I said oui. He asked where I was headed. I admitted I was hungry and lost, a risky confession to a stranger, but one worth taking.

He offered to join me, and just like that, a friendship was born. We wandered to a nearby restaurant, he suggested the specialty (which I ordered), and we shared bread, wine and stories in broken franglais.

Then came the question:

“I hope not to bother you, but would you like to dance?”

I laughed. He said no, not here but he knew a place. Then, with a flourish, he paid for both our meals, and off we went.

Next stop, the famous jazz cave I’d seen all over TikTok. Forget the hour-long line, we walked straight in. Inside was hot, damp and buzzing with two levels, red velvet everywhere, a long bar on top, jazz pouring from below. We grabbed drinks and descended to the music, the crowd a whirlwind of ages, styles and languages.

I sipped, watched and for the first time in a while, took a deep breath in. I closed my eyes, swayed to the rhythm and just lived.

Sometimes, the best nights start with plans going wrong and end with jazz, strangers turned friends and a little magic in the Latin Quarter.