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Best Cafés in New Orleans (2026)

Cafés in New Orleans are as much about tradition as coffee. Café du Monde, at the French Market since 1862, serves beignets and chicory café au lait from early morning until late, and Café Beignet on Royal Street, opened in 1990, is the main alternative for the same pairing. Expect powdered sugar on your clothes either way.

For something different, Angelo Brocato in Mid-City has served Sicilian-style gelato, Italian ices and cannoli since its founder opened a parlour in the French Quarter in 1905, and Dong Phuong Bakery in New Orleans East shows the influence of the city's Vietnamese community with its banh mi and king cakes. For a sit-down breakfast, Willa Jean in the Central Business District mixes a bakery counter with brunch and cocktails, and Elizabeth's in the Bywater serves Creole and Southern breakfasts every day. Many cafés and breakfast spots close by mid-afternoon, so plan them for the morning, and arrive early at weekends, when queues are longest.

6 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 cafés in New Orleans

  1. Café du Monde Beignets and coffee stand, French QuarterThe original French Market coffee stand, serving beignets under powdered sugar and chicory coffee since 1862, open from early morning until late.
  2. Willa Jean Bakery and brunch café, Central Business DistrictA contemporary bakery, bar and restaurant in the Central Business District serving Southern comfort food, pastries and brunch from 7am to 3pm every day.
  3. Dong Phuong Bakery Vietnamese bakery, New Orleans EastA Vietnamese bakery in New Orleans East, founded in 1982, known for its banh mi bread, pastries and king cakes, and named a James Beard America's Classic in 2018.

Café

1. Café du Monde

Beignets and coffee stand$French Quarter

The original French Market coffee stand, serving beignets under powdered sugar and chicory coffee since 1862, open from early morning until late.

View details — Café du Monde

Café

2. Willa Jean

Bakery and brunch café$$Central Business District

A contemporary bakery, bar and restaurant in the Central Business District serving Southern comfort food, pastries and brunch from 7am to 3pm every day.

View details — Willa Jean

Café

5. Angelo Brocato

Italian ice cream parlour and pastry shop$Mid-City

A Sicilian-style ice cream parlour and pastry shop founded in 1905, now in Mid-City, known for torroncino, Italian ices and cannoli.

View details — Angelo Brocato