Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Bayou Gauche

"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."

"For a truly unique dining experience in a wonderfully lush French Quarter courtyard, the ever-romantic Cafe Amelie offers an ideal setting for dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch. The courtyard is currently open to reserve for brunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m."

"While tourists go to Cafe du Monde, locals come to Cafe Beignet to scratch that itch nothing but fried dough can cure. It won the People's Choice Award for best traditional beignet in 2017. There are four locations throughout New Orleans with a fifth on the way, but no matter which location you patronize, an order of beignets is less than five bucks."

"New Orleans’ Café provides excellent coffee and beignets all day long. Also on their menu are New Orleans Cajun specialties and fried seafood for when you want something more than breakfast. MoreCallReserveWebsiteCoupon"

"Located in the Central Business District, Carmo is a tropical restaurant café with a focus on healthy, affordable dishes for vegans, vegetarians and even meat eaters in a friendly and casual environment. MoreCallReserveStart Your ReservationWebsite"

"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."

"Palm Court has tucked away on the less-trafficked downriver end of Decatur Street, and as such, serves a more low-key in-the-know crowd than many overrun tourist spots. It’s a mellow sort of space where traditional jazz (especially piano jazz) is generally the focal point and patrons quietly enjoy Creole food and classic cocktails while the band plays.1204 Decatur St. (French Quarter) / (504) 525-0200"

"Very likely the last thing you were probably looking for in New Orleans, this iconic American-Chinese classic way up on Carrollton Avenue is a neighborhood essential, at it since forever and wholly uninterested in impressing outsiders, though if you can successfully tune into the vibe here—one of their oversized tiki cocktails might do the trick—this could just end up one of your favorite restaurants in the city. Once you try their gargantuan egg rolls, overstuffed with cabbage, housemade roast pork and whole shrimp, the rest pale in comparison. The ribs, covered in hoisin, are a sticky must."

"875 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, (504) 302-7977; www.augustmoonharvey.com; 3635 Prytania St., (504) 899-5129; www.augustmoonuptown.com/contact.php. Singapore noodles are thin rice noodles topped with pan-seared shrimp, chicken, pork, egg and assorted vegetables in curry sauce."

"Low key West Bank sushi spot Daiwa, known for its uni, karaoke rooms, and Hello Kitty aesthetic, opened a second location in Metairie a few months ago. The Vets Boulevard restaurant in a former World of Beer location ups the ante in space and menu, with the option of omakase (chef’s choice) dinners and new specialties featuring less common fish like Japanese striped jack and sardines. Lunch was also just added in August."

"5033 Lapalco Blvd., Suite B6, Marrero, (504) 875-4203; www.daiwasushi.com. Spicy City is a deep-fried sushi roll filled with marinated crawfish, snow crab, cream cheese, avocado and jalapeno and topped with eel sauce and spicy mayonnaise."

"The Crescent City’s oldest sushi bar’s shine has not tarnished with age. Since 1982, Shogun has been serving a wide variety of fresh sushi. Plus, there large eatery is outfitted with hibachi grills."