Best French Bakery in Bayou Gauche

"While there’s only one dish available at this restaurant, it’s a famous one. Cafe du Monde’s beignets are a beloved local treat, an affordable indulgence available at any hour. The brand is known around the world, and many a celeb and influencer have posted a powdered sugar-covered selfie."

"Cafe du Monde is by far the most famous of all the places to eat in New Orleans. The original coffee stand opened in 1862, and it’s been a mainstay in the French Quarter since. Go here and get a serving of beignets and a cafe au lait for the most traditional fare."

"a trip to the Big Easy isn't complete without a stop at Cafe Du Monde, as far as I'm concerned. Order a cafe au lait (which is made with chicory) and a plate of beignets ... make a meal out of it so you don't have to share."

"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)."

"The Po-Boy was invented in New Orleans and is a staple food with local’s so needless to say it’s a must eat in New Orleans. The most popular Po-boy with local’s and visitor’s alike are the shrimp or oyster Po-boy but at Parkway Bakery and Tavern they serve the most unbelievable Surf & Turf Po-Boy’s you will ever have!. Trust us on this one."

"The brainchild of Besh Restaurant Group pastry chef Kelly Fields and baker Lisa White, this bakery serves a variety of loaves of bread, sweet and savory pastries, and treats like salted chocolate chip cookies and Rice Krispie bars. Willa Jean also offers a full sit-down menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, but the front case of goodies is a sight to behold."

"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."

"Central Business District's Willa Jean, located at 611 O'Keefe Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the bakery, breakfast and brunch and Southern spot 4.5 stars out of 1,353 reviews."

"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."

"Inspired to make from-scratch artisanal gelatos and sorbettos with an authentic Italian taste, La Divina Cade e Gelateria is an authentic Sicilian café located on the historic French Quarter. Opened in February 2007, the locally-owned gelataria, which opens everyday of the week from 8:30a.m. to 11:00p.m., crafts frozen delights with all natural, local and organic ingredients."

"Bittersweet Confections is a chocoholics dream, with owner and local chocolatier Cheryl Scripter steering the ship. The signature Bittersweet cake combines moist chocolate cake with creamy chocolate mousse, topping it all with dark chocolate ganache and handcrafted truffles. Vanilla, strawberry shortcake, and red velvet are a few other options."

"Bittersweet Confections is the go-to bakery in New Orleans for cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and tarts. They make everything and will customize for any event AND everything tastes delicious. You can also pop into their store on Magazine Street, a popular shopping street with hundreds of boutiques, for a quick treat."

"Whether you want a chocolate cake for a special occasion or to satisfy a sweet tooth, Heavenly Sweets will not disappoint. Their decadent chocolate cake is a must-try the next time you’re looking for a special treat."

"Experience what getting medical treatment was like in 1823 at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic building, and the exhibits offer plenty of historical curiosity as well. Get a glimpse into questionable 19th century medical practices and step into a recreated physician’s study and sick room."

"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."

"– One of the most unique museums in New Orleans is the Pharmacy Museum. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-4 pm with a free guided tour at 1 pm (except for Saturday)."

"Before the Civil War, New Orleans was home to the largest and wealthiest population of free people of color (abbreviated to F.P.C. by the museum) in the South. To understand their journey, heritage, and achievements, schedule an hour-long tour of Treme’s Le Musée de F.P.C.—the only museum of its kind in the United States. The detailed lesson, both profoundly sobering and inspirational, begins with the founding of New Orleans in 1718 and continues to the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision, a case that started in New Orleans and that resulted in national segregation."

"Free People of Color (f.p.c.) is the term used to describe Blacks who were born free or freed before the Civil War. The presence of f.p.c. in New Orleans is recorded back to 1722 and New Orleans was home to one of the largest populations of f.p.c. Le Musée de f.p.c. honors those artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, educators, physicians, journalists, business owners and professionals who made New Orleans what it is today. This beautiful house displays artwork and history of f.p.c. in New Orleans and honors the contributions they made to the City."

"The CAC complex in historic downtown is a cultural leader, bridging the gap between the visual and performing arts by combining exhibitions, concerts, dance and plays. Past interactive events, such as Leverage by Mexican artist Pedro Reyes, had patrons delightedly playing on what resembled a giant see-saw. Upcoming exhibitions include 30 Americans, showcasing the last three decades of art by the most influential African-American artists, and Julian Sands in A Celebration of Harold Pinter, where the actor will share and provide insight into Pinter's little-known poetry."

"Visit the spacious art galleries of the Contemporary Arts Center to see some world-class fine art in the up-and-coming warehouse district in downtown New Orleans. There are different artist residences happening and constantly rotating and changing exhibits. The museum is famous for the events that it hosts with different performances and lectures."

"Take in cutting-edge exhibits, featuring both local artists and the work of national and international talent, at this cornerstone of…"

"The Presbytere Museum has two permanent exhibits that are extremely important to the city of New Orleans. The Mardi Gras exhibit explores the annual celebration and all the traditions that go along with it. Learn more about the Mardi Gras Indians and different Krewes that partake in the events and how they got their start."

"One of the twin Spanish colonial buildings flanking the St. Louis Cathedral, this one, on the right, was built on the site of the priests'…"

"The iconic gate entrance to City Park is directly across from the famous Ralph’s on the Park. City Park, the largest park in New Orleans, contains 1,300-acres of land and is home to live oaks that are over 800 years old. The Carousel Gardens, a fun filled amusement park for kids and adults, contains a 100-year-old Carousel (flying horses as they are called by New Orleanians)."

"If you’d prefer a more leisurely option, you can escape to one of the local parks (City Park or Audubon Park) not far outside of the Historic District. If you haven’t gotten your fill of jazz yet, you can do the Harbor Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. I’ve listed more details on all the options below."

"New Orleans, Louisiana, isn’t particularly known for being lush with greenery. That’s probably why Louis Armstrong Park is one of the top green tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer. It’s close to the teeming French Quarter so isn’t far displaced from the cultural aspects of the city, and with a huge 32-acre space, it’s often become the home of events and festivals."

"This 32-acre park located in the Treme neighborhood is a good option for kids to explore near the French Quarter. You'll find picturesque green space, a sculpture garden, and paths aplenty. View this post on Instagram"

"Another well know park and named after a famous musician, is the Louis Armstrong Park. It’s located in Treme near the French Quarter. It has sculptures and vendors selling food and crafts."

"The name of this sugarcane plantation on the west bank of the Mississippi in St. James Parish comes from the graceful 240-metre alley of southern live oaks running from the riverside to the Greek Revival house. These were planted in the early 1700s, a good century before the house was built, and their twisting branches form a beautiful shade canopy. The house went up in 1837 and has a colonnade with 28 imposing Doric columns, mirroring the 28 oaks in the alley."

"New Orleans has many plantations which, while they all have a past fraught with slavery and horror, offer a slice of Louisiana that make them among the best ways to look into New Orleans’ past. Oak Alley Plantation sits along the Mississippi’s western bank. An alley flanked by oak trees, all planted in the 1700s, runs up from the bank to the home."