Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in New Orleans

"Cafe Amelie is home to one of the most romantic courtyards in the Vieux Carre. The menu revolves around Louisiana fare with some international influences. If there is no time to linger over a meal in the lush courtyard, its sister restaurant Petite Amelie serves delightful sandwiches and salads and makes an ideal lunch spot."

"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.)."

"Café Amelia is one of the New Orleans food places famous for their food and the location they are in. The restaurant is located on the Royal Street of the French Quarter in the historic Princess of Monaco Courtyard and Carriage House. The Princess of Monaco Courtyard is more than 150 years old."

"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."

"When in New Orleans, Alton Brown wakes up and strolls over to Cafe Beignet on Royal Street for — you guessed it — the namesake beignets. The chefs here prepare a perfect rendition of New Orleans’ take on a doughnut. The dough is made fresh daily, then allowed a longer-than-standard rise time of three hours, which is the key to its light and airy texture."

"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."

"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"

"This worldly café serves cuisine from Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Vegan delights include the Broken Noodle Salad and the Caribbean Banana Cake."

"For delicious, healthy food with a Brazilian twist, head to Carmo. Their menu is packed with yummy salads, appetizer, entrees, and desserts. I love their namesake Carmo Salad."

"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."

"There are other Creole restaurants with more gravitas, and certainly more widespread acclaim, but right now, packed-to-the-rafters, thoroughly unstuffy Neyow’s feels like the one you’re looking for. Gumbo, chargrilled oysters, fried chicken, a decent Shrimp creole, red beans and rice with spicy local sausage, delicious sides of carrot souffle and a pudding-like macaroni and cheese, bell peppers stuffed with shrimp and crab, you’re having it all, along with—if you dare—the signature Bow Wow rum drink, which comes in what is perhaps the largest go cup in existence."

"This Mid-City classic features daily specials of New Orleans’ favorite comfort foods. Tuesday may find you gobbling up white beans and rice with fried chicken or hot sausage; then Wednesday, you’re devouring mustard greens and pork chops. A heaping plate will lighten your wallet by about nine bucks at star among this cheap eats in New Orleans."

"A beef shawarma plate is served with salad, hummus and pita bread, rice or fries. Reservations accepted. Breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat."

"When I walked into Revelator Coffee and saw all of their unique blends and espresso machines at work, I knew I was in for a treat. Their coffee tastes legit, and you can even buy some coffee grinds to DIY at home. Along with the relaxing music playing, the sounds of their espresso machines were extremely therapeutic while studying."

"Char-broiled oysters are topped with Parmesan and garlic and served with drawn butter and French bread. Reservations accepted. Breakfast daily, dinner Tue.-Sat., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"Luca Eats, a café in the Carrollton neighborhood, is known for its pressed sandwiches, like apples and brie for breakfast and the popular Cubano for lunch. No matter when you stop in, the Oreo beignets are always on the menu. How do they combine those two disparate elements into one famous dessert?"

"The local Lower Garden District doyens have taken to this whiskey bar in droves. There aren’t many dedicated whiskey bars in New Orleans, so if you’re into brown liquor, this low-ceilinged, windowless room—with more than 300 whiskies, bourbons, ryes, and scotches—is the place to be. You could keep coming for a whole year and never get bored: Selections range from the usual barroom suspects to rare Japanese imports."

"Located in the Lower Garden District, Barrel Proof is the perfect spot if you want to explore your spirit options. With over 300 whiskeys, including international selections from countries such as Japan, France, and India, you’ll find something to your whiskey taste. Barrel Proof offers food selections from local restaurants Matchbook Kitchen (Saturday through Monday) and QuePasta (Tuesday through Friday)."

"Longway is the perfect hangout spot where you can grab a bite and a beer in their open courtyard. An everyday bar that pleases, Longway offers refreshing cocktails and delicious twists on pub food. For those looking for a local vibe and trying to escape tourist traps, this is your spot."

"National World War II Museum, 1035 Magazine St., (504) 528-1940; www.ww2eats.com. A Five-Star cheeseburger is topped with Creole smothered onions, bacon and three-cheese sauce. Reservations accepted."

"What looks like a castle in the French Quarter is actually the oldest cathedral in North America. This alone makes it one of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially when you head inside. You see, St. Louis Cathedral was founded as a Catholic Parish in 1720 and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture that is totally gorgeous."

"– Every day from 830 am to 4 pm, you can tour the St Louis Cathedral for free. Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation, and Mass is at 12:05 pm daily."