Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Arabi

"Café Amelie is anything but an unknown entity in New Orleans. From its daily-changing, Creole-accented menu, its location in an exquisite 1836 townhouse, and, above all, its lush, romantic back garden, the charming restaurant is more than deserving of its popularity. Try the signature thick-cut pork chop served over creamy grits with sweet corn maque choux, a New Orleans–style succotash studded with smoky andouille sausage."

"Settle down in this 150-year-old courtyard with lush landscaping for a relaxing bite and a glass of wine (or three). The historic space boasts a romantic ambiance that not even a child in tow can completely ruin. (If the weather isn’t cooperating, the Carriage House offers a rustic alternative.)."

"Exceptional food, drinks, and value in a gorgeous courtyard setting!. Ambience is just wonderful. Very romantic with the string lights and…”more"

"Cafe Beignet’s Royal Street location is exactly what you'd want in an intimate, European-style sidewalk bistro -- as are the Bourbon and Decatur Street locations. Now a veritable national treasure, muffalettas owe their start in New Orleans to Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century. The massive sandwich took as its name the type of Sicilian sesame seed bread, similar to focaccia, that's traditionally used to gird a combination of ham, salami, mortadella, mozzarella, and, most distinctively, an olive salad spread."

"Café Beignet has the advantage of having an adorable storefront as well as photogenic food. Get a table by the doors for the best lighting to get the perfect beignet photo, and then head outside to grab a photo of the front. Like Café du Monde, Café Beignet also is very popular, so you’ll like have crowds to deal with."

"Start your morning right with one of the two most famous spots to grab a beignet in the French Quarter at Cafe Beignet. (Don’t worry you’ll be going to Cafe du Monde during your 3 days in New Orleans too!)"

"Just a short walk away (essentially on the opposite side of Jackson Square as the St. Louis Cathedral) sits the famous Cafe du Monde, home to French-style beignets (fried doughnuts topped with a literal inch of powdered sugar) and a cafe au lait. The menu is very small–beignets are the only food that they serve, though there are a few other drinks on the menu–and very reasonably priced, with a plate of three beignets and a drink coming out to $6.00 USD even (cash only, though there’s an ATM hidden in a tourism office across the street) as of the time of writing."

"This is also where you can have a famous Café du Monde beignet covered in powdered sugar, have your tarot cards read at Hex, get a taste of voodoo culture at Voodoo Authentica, and shop for jewelry, clothing, and antiques all throughout the neighborhood. The Pharmacy Museum has quite an interesting tour – don’t let the name fool you!. It’s all about old school remedies and how they evolved through history, with a local twist."

"Café du Monde is the most famous place to get ahold of some deep-fried sugary goodness, but the real MVP is actually Café Beignet. I know I’m likely going to get hate comments for this, but my friend and I both did side by side taste tests and agreed that Café Beignet’s version is lighter, fluffier and overall yummier."

"With a variety of crispy toasts for you to try (avocado’s our favorite), savory grain bowls, salads, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies, The Daily Beet’s tasty, fresh vegetarian creations can be found downtown on Girod or in a brightly lit stall in St. Roch Market. The only thing that’s more pleasing than the delish food is the collection of bright and beautiful photos on The Daily Beet’s Instagram. Stay in the neighborhood a while and try out another incredible restaurant for dinner."

"1000 Girod St., (504) 605-4413; St. Roch Market, 2381 St. Claude Ave.; www.thedailybeetnola.com. An Acai breakfast bowl includes acai, fruit, almond milk, granola, coconut flakes, goji berries and honey."

"Monkey Monkey Coffee & Tea is a great place to rest your legs and enjoy house-roasted coffee and loose-leaf teas. They have a great mix of classic and signature drinks and quick bites to eat, including handcrafted pastries. Monkey Monkey has free Wifi and a great vibe, so it’s also a perfect spot to read a book or get some work done as you enjoy fresh-roasted coffee."

"Bakers Dozen serves some of the best donuts in New Orleans, from the traditional classics to more creative creations such as a salty caramel pretzel donut. Everything here is bursting with flavour and some of the finest, most inventive ingredients around. Apple fritters and honeybuns are particularly delicious here, but you should definitely sample one of their seasonal specialty donuts while you’re at it, too."

"You have to get here early to get your fix, since they’re only open until 11 am (and closed Mondays and Tuesdays), but this straightforward spot is a favorite of local epicures and chefs for a reason. They make great basics, like the glazed twist, and do them brilliantly. But they also have a little more fun with themed specials, like during Carnival season when they make a mind-blowing donut king cake."

"Baker's Dozen in Jefferson has set itself apart with creatively themed doughnuts — munch on your favorite super hero for $1.50 — as well as delicious combinations like its sweet and salty caramel pretzel doughnut (pictured). All up, a nice neighborhood spot with lots of regulars."

"2120 David Drive, Metairie, (504) 456-7835; 3236 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (504) 305-0276; 3238 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 598-5274; 4205 Airline Drive, Metairie, (504) 325-5653; www.frenchpresscoffeehouse.net. A turkey and avocado sandwich includes bacon, lettuce and tomato on wheatberry bread."

"Visitors seeking the best malls in Greater New Orleans must only venture slightly north of the city to find Lakeside Shopping Center. This expansive retail hub is one of the area's most popular malls with more than 120 well-known stores including M.A.C., Dillard's, Lane Bryant, Gap, Old Navy and Eddie Bauer, as well as boutiques such as Ann Taylor Loft and Talbot's. Lakeside Shopping Center offers seemingly endless shopping opportunities for men and women (and enough distractions for kids)."

"CBDWhat you’re getting: Meat piesThis grocery mart might not look like much, but it’s the place you want to hit if you’re Downtown, maybe a little fuzzy and hungry, and you want some delicious, cheap fried food. The chicken is great, but don’t miss out on the classic meat pies, based on a Natchitoches, LA, classic."

"We dare you not to have a fried chicken craving after leaving a Brother’s Food Mart. Feast on fried chicken for only a few bucks. Plus, the late-night hours and multiple locations make this spot even more of a convenience."

"Tucked away by a Lakeview shopping center, Ming’s isn’t a typical Chinese joint. This Cantonese restaurant is open, airy, sans red dragon decor, and offers outside seating. There are cheap traditional lunch specials but chef and owner Ming Joe has a few tricks up his sleeve."

"By definition, that means they deviate from the norm, or the expected. Let’s be honest, it looks a little like the Department of Motor Vehicles when you walk in."

"Located in the heart of Historic French Quarter, Café Fleur-De-Lis is a cozy counter service café that serves hearty breakfast and lunch meals with ample portions in a casual, relaxed setting. They’re focused on Southern tastes and flavors, and breakfasters can enjoy a Creole Country Breakfast of grilled Boudin sausage, eggs cooked any style, homemade biscuits and a bowl of grits, eggs Benedict, and Farmer’s Omelets filled with mushrooms, bell peppers, and spinach. Other classic dishes range from breakfast platters, French toast, buttermilk pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches and wraps to shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, eggs Florentine, and fresh fruit bowls."

"Cafe Fleur De Lis is a great example of the “Southern Cooking” experience. Located in the heart of the historical French Quarter, they serve traditional New Orleans breakfasts and lunches. Lunch at Cafe Fleur De Lis usually includes seafood and poboys, but at their breakfast you can find eye-opening cocktails, benedicts, omelettes, french toast and their “Sweet Cream” pancakes."

"As unoriginal as it might be for three police officers to open a donut shop, it’s the original flavors that have made Mid-City’s Blue Dot Donuts a favorite among locals. The red velvet cake, banana cream filled with Nutella topping, key lime crumb filled, and maple bacon long Johns are just a few top customer picks. And when the weather cools down, it’s all about their warm donut bread pudding with white chocolate sauce."

"Opened in 2011 by three NOPD officers, this bright blue building on Canal Street sells out more days than not, thanks in no small part to its signature maple bacon long john doughnut. The cops are gone now — they sold to a baker in 2017, but all doughnuts are still made by hand at Blue Dot Donuts, a point of pride for this busy shop. Get there early, and on the weekends, expect a line."