Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a self-governing territorial collectivity of France off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, naturally has a coffee culture deeply rooted in French traditions, blended with the practicality of island life and a touch of North American influence. You'll find a focus on espresso-based drinks and a cozy, often intimate cafe scene.
Here are the different ways you can expect to order coffee in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and what's in them:
French Cafe Standards (Most Common)
These are the fundamental coffee drinks that form the core of the coffee offering in St. Pierre and Miquelon's cafes (cafés), bakeries (boulangeries), and restaurants.
Café / Espresso / Café Express:
What's in it: A single shot of strong, concentrated coffee, made with an espresso machine. This is the default when you simply ask for "un café."
How to order: "Un café, s'il vous plaît." (A coffee, please.) or "Un espresso."
Note: If you want a double shot, you'd ask for "un double espresso" or "un café double."
Café Allongé:
What's in it: An espresso shot diluted with more hot water, creating a longer, less intense black coffee. Similar to an Americano, but sometimes made with the espresso shot extracted for a longer time.
How to order: "Un café allongé."
Café Américain / Americano:
What's in it: Espresso diluted with hot water. Typically, the espresso is extracted normally, and then hot water is added.
How to order: "Un café américain" or "Un Americano."
Café au Lait:
What's in it: Literally "coffee with milk." This is a classic French breakfast coffee, often made with strong brewed coffee (or sometimes espresso) mixed with a generous amount of hot milk, usually in equal proportions. It's often served in a large bowl.
How to order: "Un café au lait."
Café Crème:
What's in it: An espresso with steamed milk and a lighter, thinner layer of foam than a traditional cappuccino. It's often creamier and less foamy than a typical cappuccino.
How to order: "Un café crème."
Cappuccino:
What's in it: Espresso with steamed milk and a generous, distinct layer of frothed milk foam. It's an internationally recognized term.
How to order: "Un cappuccino."
Latte (Caffè Latte):
What's in it: Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Generally creamier and milder than a café crème or cappuccino.
How to order: "Un latte" or "Un caffè latte." Flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, etc.) may be available in more modern cafes.
Macchiato:
What's in it: Espresso "marked" with a small dollop of foamed milk. An espresso-forward drink with just a hint of creaminess.
How to order: "Un macchiato" or "Un espresso macchiato."
Drip Coffee / Filter Coffee / Brewed Coffee:
What's in it: Coffee made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans through a filter. While espresso is dominant, a simpler brewed coffee might be available, particularly in hotels or for breakfast.
How to order: "Café filtre" or "Café infusé."
Cold Coffee Drinks
Iced coffee options are available in modern cafes, particularly for those who prefer cold beverages.
Café Glacé / Iced Coffee:
What's in it: This can vary, but generally refers to strong cold coffee (brewed or espresso) served over ice. Often, milk and sugar are added to taste.
How to order: "Un café glacé" or "Iced coffee."
Latte Glacé / Iced Latte:
What's in it: Espresso and cold milk poured over ice.
How to order: "Un latte glacé" or "Iced Latte."
Iced Americano:
What's in it: Espresso and cold water poured over ice.
How to order: "Un Americano glacé" or "Iced Americano."
Frappe-style Drinks (Blended Iced Coffee):
What's in it: Blended ice, coffee (espresso or coffee concentrate), milk, sugar, and sometimes flavorings. Often topped with whipped cream. These are more dessert-like beverages.
How to order: "Café Frappé" or specific names like "Mocha Frappe."
Other Considerations & Local Nuances:
Language: French is the official language, and using French terms for coffee is highly recommended and appreciated. English is also understood, especially in tourist-facing establishments.
Milk Options: Cafes will offer regular dairy milk (full-fat, semi-skimmed). Plant-based milk alternatives like oat milk and almond milk are increasingly available in modern cafes.
Sweetness: For black coffee, sugar cubes or packets will usually be provided on the side. For milk coffees, sugar is often added to taste, or sometimes they come pre-sweetened (especially traditional French café au lait). You can specify "sans sucre" (without sugar) or "avec un peu de sucre" (with a little sugar).
Local Roasters/Sourcing: Saint Pierre and Miquelon does not grow its own coffee. Cafes will import beans, often from France or Canada. The emphasis will be on the quality of the imported beans and the barista's preparation.
In essence, a coffee experience in Saint Pierre and Miquelon will be a delightful immersion in classic French cafe culture, with a selection of well-prepared espresso drinks and, increasingly, modern cold options.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.