EARLIE is a new Australian-inspired coffee shop in the heart of Montpellier, bringing a generous dose of easygoing antipodean chill to the city on rue du Faubourg du Courreau. It's the creation of Alisson Beaurain, who came to the project by way of the agri-food world before training in pastry and as a barista, then spending several years in hospitality. Above all, EARLIE was inspired by her travels — and especially by Australia, where coffee-shop culture naturally blends specialty coffee, breakfast, and lunch in lively, laid-back spaces. That's the spirit she wanted to bring home to Montpellier, filtered through her own sensibility. Even the name keeps a trace of it: a nod to the start of the day and the "early coffee," but also a wink to Airlie Beach on the Australian coast.
The idea at EARLIE is to take the familiar codes of the coffee shop and rework them with a distinct identity, offering something that stands apart on the Montpellier food scene. On the drinks side, the menu weaves together specialty coffees from L'Arbre à Café, matcha, house-made chai, and signature creations, with a real emphasis on infusions and cold foams — think a cherry rooibos with coconut cold foam, or a cold brew infused with black tea and vanilla, crowned with a silky vanilla cold foam. In the kitchen, the offering is short and entirely homemade: savoury smashed croissants, pancakes, colourful bowls, and house pastries (including a striking ube brownie, made with the viral purple sweet potato), plus a sweet smashed croissant to share and a granola served over a light, whipped yogurt base. These are familiar, comforting recipes, each finished with the little detail that makes them EARLIE.
Conceived as a warm neighbourhood café, EARLIE has around twenty seats inside plus a terrace — a place you can drop into for your first coffee of the day, settle in for lunch, or linger over the afternoon. Tones of sand, wood, and marble, along with greenery and photographs taken in Australia, carry the story of the project right through to the decor. A genuinely charming addition to the city, EARLIE is a little slice of Australia — and the perfect antidote to a sleepy morning — right in the centre of Montpellier.
