Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Westwego

"The Baskin-Robbins of local sandwich makers, this family-run watering hole in Mid-City offers 20 or so flavors of po' boys. “Surf and turf” packs gravy-splashed shrimp and roast beef in a sturdy roll, while “Caprese” is mindful of customers who don’t eat meat. A covered patio in back makes room for everyone, pets included."

"Parkway has been around for over a century, since 1911 to be exact. Legend has it that the name poor boy, also referred to as po’ boy, comes from the Great Depression era when a sandwich was created to be given free of charge to transit strikers. Folks have been clamoring for Parkway’s poor boys ever since."

"Run by Pastry Chef Kelly Fields of Besh Restaurant Group and Pastry Chef Lisa White, Willa Jean is a retro-chick cafe and restaurant serving Southern-contemporary fare, baked goods, freshly brewed coffee, and specialty cocktails. This brick-walled hotspot, opening its doors at 7 a.m. every day, is ideal for those looking to experience flavors that are indigenous to the Port City."

"Breakfast service done well is a cheerful, life-affirming start to the day, and Willa Jean does it with aplomb. Coffees (New Orleans is a great coffee city) are topped, even water is delivered with gusto. There's a range of decadence happening across the main food menu."

"With an elegant approach to classic Southern food, Willa Jean takes that same “elegant fusion” approach to their breakfast food, which includes a griddled banana bread, an artichok..."

"With three locations, Executive Pastry Chef Megan Forman has put together a wonderful holiday menu for us this year that satisfies the need for sweet and savory. Sweet options include cakes, chocolate bark, truffles, and more. The dessert that has everyone talking about Willa Jean, and yes, it’s okay to lick the beater: Cookies and Milk — ooey-gooey barely set and still warm chocolate chip cookies, cookie dough batter, and vanilla-infused milk."

"Gracious bakes all the breads for its delicious sandwiches, along with killer breakfast pastries, traditional French confections, and original creations like the hazelnut “Kermit” cruffin (we like a good pun almost as much as sweets) and the pretzel croissant. Swing by for brunch and try the biscuit breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and twice-baked French toast. And for lunch, the meatloaf sandwich is dangerously habit-forming."

"This locally owned bakery and cafe has multiple locations around town, all good go-tos for baked goods, breads, breakfast and lunch goodies. Last year they added doughnuts into the mix, all made inhouse, from fillings to dough to toppings - no mixes here. A few to try include spiced sugar twist, honey cornmeal and classic blueberry glazed."

"Dorgenois Street, Dwight Henry’s Buttermilk Drop Bakery and Cafe is a place where you can get warm, melt-in-your-mouth glazed donuts, golden brown apple fritters the size of baseball gloves, and his award-winning fried buttermilk drops with a delicious sugar glaze. Crunchy on the outside and cake-like in the center, buttermilk drops are a unique local favorite. Dwight’s bakery sells them every day beginning at 6 a.m."

"TremeWhat you’re getting: Buttermilk drops, of courseThese sweet, glazed cakey drops of goodness are New Orleans’ other favorite donut, and their popularity (at least for visitors) is usually eclipsed by beignets (see above). Well, they shouldn’t be, especially at $4 for half a dozen."

"I've been going to the buttermilk drop since my son was in kindergarten, now he has graduated from high school. Every Friday I'll stop in at hi..."

"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."

"When I walked into Café Luna, the biggest struggle I faced was determining where to sit amongst their many options. This quiet café has a porch full of outdoor tables, a cozy area with couches, and a bright orange room full of tables with art hanging all over the walls. When I settled into the back room, I was surrounded by a lot of other people working on laptops, and the room was basically silent."

"The gist: While this petite pastel café serving pastries, meat pies, coffee, and espresso drinks has yet to reopen its dine-in space, the porch is open and offers both spacious seating and excellent neighborhood people watching. The food: The sweet and savory pastries are baked from scratch daily. Expect cakes topped with buttercream and cream cheese frosting alongside vegan oatmeal cookies, kolache, meat hand pies, and sausage rolls."

"This Mid City joint is easy to spot from the street with its unusual architecture, but it's what's inside that makes it a must-try. Sweet and savory baked goods made in-house accompany a robust coffee menu, with espresso drinks, Chemex and V60 pourovers. Everything's made with high quality products in house, so you can't go wrong."

"The eggplant beignets, Southwest eggrolls, and fried fish sandwich all ring up under $10. While you might be tempted to spend your whole visit at the dining table, don’t miss all the fun things to do in New Orleans. Grab your chicory coffee and check out these fun, affordable activities:"

"Conveniently located on Poydras in the CBD, Garden District and Uptown, Reginelli's dishes more than just great pizza. Sure, you can get your hand-tossed pie topped with the likes of roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. And plain cheese pies or the kids start at a bargain $7.25."

"Right off the freeway and tucked behind a Best Buy on the West Bank, the unassuming Hong Minh has an excellent menu of Chinese specialties, alongside some traditional Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes. It’s a hidden gem for takeout, with menu highlights that include the Mongolian beef, Peking duck, wonton soup, and beef with broccoli."

"833 Howard Ave., (504) 299-8792; G’s Kitchen Spot, Balcony Bar, 3201 Magazine St., (504) 894-8888; 4840 Bienville St., (504) 483-6464; www.gspizzas.com. A Bienville Supreme pie includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, black olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce."

"After exploring the Mid-City cemeteries, stop by G's Pizza to refuel. This funky little spot is tucked away on Bienville (there are two other NOLA locations, too), and they serve delicious pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. I love their NOLA Green Roots Pizza!"

"Tours run twice every evening (5pm and 8pm) and include visits to the Lalaurie Mansion (where American Horror Story Coven was filmed), LaFitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and more. Our guide had plenty of creepy tales to share and clearly believed a lot of the ghost stories herself, which made it all the more fun. Our tour group was a little on the larger side, but otherwise, the experience was entertaining."

"Wander down to Governor Nicholls Street to see Lalaurie Mansion, once the home of actor Nicholas Cage, and one of the homes used for American Horror Story Coven. There are also other fancy homes like the New Orleans home of Angelina Jolie down this beautiful street."