Best Bakery and Cake Shops in River Ridge

"Only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, the fresh oysters in Parkway Tavern’s Po Boys are seasoned with garlic and cayenne pepper and then served in classic style on Leidenheimer’s bread. Like many of the best New Orleans Po Boy shops, Parkway Bakery & Tavern is located slightly off the beaten track. However, it’s worth the extra effort to travel to this Mid-City institution by cab/uber or streetcar (Canal St #48)."

"Po-boys have always made great outside eats, and Parkway has embraced the alfresco push wholeheartedly by essentially creating an entire outdoor restaurant. Diners can set up at one of Parkway’s plethora of patio tables (tented for rainy days) to down one of the city’s best sandwiches. Hits are too many to count, from exquisitely fried shrimp (make it a surf and turf by adding roast beef and gravy) to hot sausage."

"Expect a long line: Parkway is the go-to spot in New Orleans for delicious, authentic po'boys. The generous shrimp po'boy is always a solid pick, but the roast beef and surf and turf options are also outstanding. Come on Monday or Wednesday for the famed oyster po'boy."

"Managed by the renowned Besh Restaurant Group and helmed by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Kelly Fields, Willa Jean is a modern bakery and kitchen crafting Southern comfort food in an urban-chic environment. The stylish restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with freshly baked pastries and sweet treats, which are perfectly paired with signature Willa Jean blend Intelligentsia Coffee and specialty coffee drinks. Tuck into creative breakfast and brunch dishes of crawfish and grits with poached eggs and cheddar biscuits, biscuits with gravy, fried eggs, and pimiento cheese, and griddled banana bread."

"If you’re in the South Market District then look no further than Willa Jean for your holiday grab and go’s. Assorted pastries and holiday pies like chocolate bourbon pecan plus a menu of savory items round out this year’s offerings. Take the baking stress away and order online today."

"The fact that Gracious now has three locations plus a cafe in NOCHI, the fancy new culinary school, speaks for itself. Word of this upbeat, modern, and light-filled breakfast and lunch spot from pastry chef Megan Forman quickly spread and with good reason: Gracious serves up satisfying sandwiches on homemade bread that won’t leave one in a food coma. The chicken tarragon and meatloaf options are good bets."

"While many at-home cooks have turned to stress baking, there’s no reason not to let the pros take over every once in a while. Get your breakfast taken care of with takeout or delivery from Gracious’ Prytania Street location. The quiches change daily, but a recent addition featuring parmesan, bacon, and roasted pepper makes us think you can’t go wrong."

"The pastry cases at Gracious never disappoint, and neither do their donuts. When you make a stop here, pick from options like blueberry glazed, mango cream-filled with coconut or honey cornmeal—then grab a couple of baguettes to make sandwiches for later."

"If you haven’t had the pleasure of dropping a hand into a big paper bag filled with still-warm, sweet glazed buttermilk drops, then you need to rethink your priorities. They’ve got some other traditional donuts, too, but the buttermilk drop is a classic New Orleans treat, and the Buttermilk Drop Bakery is the quintessential place to score a few. Chelsea Brasted is a freelance writer in her hometown of New Orleans, where she formerly worked for The Times-Picayune as an arts and entertainment reporter and city columnist."

"Buttermilk Drop Bakery is famous for its king cakes, buttermilk drops, and melt-in-your-mouth donuts. Every year Buttermilk Drop celebrates National Donut Day with a special: buy a dozen glazed donuts and get a second dozen free!. You'll need to invite over a few of your fully vaccinated friends to help you finish 24 donuts."

"Donuts, quick breads, and the eponymous buttermilk drop can be found at this local favorite. What is a buttermilk drop?. Well, it’s kind of like a donut hole, but more substantial, made with buttermilk, coated in cinnamon sugar, and (proudly) invented in New Orleans."

"This family owned market and bakery in Mid City specializes in Central American pastries like flan, churros, empanadas both sweet and savory — but we’re talking cakes and Norma’s Sweets Bakery has the goods. Call ahead to order the bakery’s specialty — one of the best tres leche cakes around. Beyond moist, tres leches (three milks) is an ultra-light sponge cake soaked in a sweet milk bath."

"At the French market you can get a small individualized King Cake complete with the toy baby for good luck!. This tiny cake was the perfect size for the 4 of us to share."

"When Iraq war veteran Kelly Mayhew’s life fell apart, he started baking—these days, he’s not-so-secretly one of the most capable bakers in town, selling basket loads of baguettes (and so much more) from an old snowball stand in the middle of a residential section of Old Metairie on Mondays and Fridays. If there’s anything left by the time you get there, the regulars might just fight you for it."

"Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, (504) 262-0750; 2904 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 885-5565; 3233 Magazine St., (504) 262-6019; 9647 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge, (504) 737-8146; www.breauxmart.com. Crawfish dip is made with crawfish tails, cream cheese, sour cream, onions, hot sauce and lemon juice."

"A seafood combination platter includes catfish, Gulf shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, french fries and a side. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat."

"Orleans Grapevine tends to fly a bit under the radar in the midst of splashier French Quarter spots, but for those in the know it’s a top destination, particularly for wine. It’s a favorite of local distributors and wine geeks, and the great wine flight deal offered during happy hour can help familiarize even the most novice vino drinkers. There’s a cozy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s one of few places in the Quarter to feel like a neighborhood gem."

"Orleans Grapevine is a French Quarter Wine Bar & Bistro with a casual fine dining component as well. Start with the wine, which can be ordered by the glass or bottle. Come in between 4-6 pm to try a "Wine Flight", a three wine sampling to expand your horizons."

"4641 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 779-2252: www.carrabbas.com. Shrimp and scallop spiedino features wood-grilled seafood topped with Italian breadcrumbs served with lemon butter and a side."

"Spa Reyna began operations on December 22, 2009, and has been going strong ever since their opening. Come by and let their superior staff care for you."

"If you have wheels and are staying outside of the city, or need a break from the New Orleans hubbub, this small day spa in the heart of Old Metairie fills the bill. Along with the usual facials, massage therapy, nail care and waxing, Serenity offers the It Works!. line of products for body contouring along with nutritional supplements."

"Enter Serenity Spa and discover an environment that will renew, rejuvenate and replenish your body, mind and spirit. For an hour or an entire day, their full-service spa is the perfect setting for you to be thoroughly pampered. Indulge in a spa treatment to relieve your stress and worries."

"Marriot hotel at 614 Canal Street, where Chartres Street meets Canal. So, it's at the edge of the French Quarter and easy to get to. Serenity Spa offers a full menu of services, including facials, massages, nail services, waxing, and makeup applications."

"Massage Envy provides massage, skin care and total body stretch services which are an integral part of total body wellness and a healthy lifestyle. Keep your body working with Massage Envy. Schedule an appointment today!"