Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in New Orleans

"Slightly toward the pricey side, Cafe Amelie serves up classic New Orleans cuisine in a romantic, elegant atmosphere. The food is said to be wonderful, as is the simple experience of eating in their courtyard on a pretty day."

"This French Quarter restaurant has been around for ages and it’s the gorgeous courtyard and good food that keep people coming back. If you’re after a drink and a good meal in a classic Nola setting, Café Amelie is your jam."

"Café Beignet is a charming, intimate bistro in the heart of the French Quarter that serves authentic Cajun fare in a warm and welcoming setting. With locations on Bourbon and Royal Streets, Cafe Beignet serves tasty fried beignets and other sweet treats, along with a full breakfast every day of the week. Diners line up to get a seat inside or on the lovely outdoor patio and tuck into fluffy omelets with various fillings like andouille sausage, bacon, cheese and spinach, French toast, and Pecan Nut Waffles."

"While the crowds and the line of tourists go to Café Du Monde, the locals know to head to Cafe Beignet for this signature New Orleans sweet. With three locations across the city, it cuts down the wait time significantly for this pastry doughnut hybrid dusted with powdered sugar. The French and Acadians brought beignets to the region in the 18th century, but New Orleans helped to give the powdery delight the recognition that it receives today."

"It’s impossible to talk about coffee houses without mentioning beignets, a New Orleans tradition that’s paired with a café au lait. At Café Beignet, you can partake in this tasty tradition and enjoy the magic of the “hole-less donut,” and sip on a classic espresso beverage. They also have chicory coffee at Café Beignet, another timeless NOLA tradition."

"Carmo specializes in tropical cuisine, featuring dishes from Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Caribbean, and more. They have plenty of vegan and veggie options including the Vegan Ceviche, almost all of the salads, Banquette Breads which can be made with vegan cheese, sausages, and a Kahlua Chocolate Pecan Cake. You won’t want to leave without having one of their cocktails, too!"

"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."

"From the Visitor Center, we walked just a few blocks to Jackson Square. Historically, Jackson Square is important as it was the site where Louisiana was made a US territory following the Louisiana Purchase. Today, it is a picturesque park with Saint Louis Cathedral providing a nice backdrop to President Andrew Jackson’s statue."

"Cafe du Monde and their famous beignets are just a few steps away, on the same side as the river. Whether you’ve got a 3 day trip to New Orleans planned or are just making a quick visit, you don’t want to miss out on the sweet doughy goodness of this signature New Orleans treat!"

"Snack time at Cafe du Monde Gotta get some beignets or you didn’t come to NOLA. Have them with cafe au lait or hot chocolate. Beignets are just deep-fried dough drowning in powdered sugar."

"Along lovely St. Charles Avenue sits New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co., a little bakery café that fries up not only traditional beignets, but also chocolate ones. Choose your favorite and pair it with one of the many coffee choices, or go for extreme decadence and enjoy a frozen creme caramel coffee (just pretend there are no calories in it): a sugary, slushy quaff perfect for those hot NOLA summer days."

"The New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co. keeps it simple yet upholding the popular tradition of café au lait and beignets. It’s got a warm and welcoming vibe and, of course, lots of beignets. If you’re looking to try a New Orleans tradition and don’t want to wait in line at other places, this is the perfect stop to try."

"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."

"We were in an Uber on the way to a basketball game, and as we drove by, the word Beet caught my eye. I had to look it up later, and now, it's probably my favorite vegetarian restaurant in New Orleans ... I come here at least once on every trip to NOLA."

"The quintessential museum of Louisiana, the permanent collection includes nearly 40,000 world-class works of regional, national and international art, such as Picasso, Braque, Dufy and Miró, and drawings by Degas, who worked just blocks from the museum when he visited maternal relatives in the early 1870s. Lectures, book clubs, film presentations, art classes and musical performances are all presented with aplomb – and you can even take yoga classes in the sublimely beautiful Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where works of the 20th century's master sculptors reside in a sub-tropical sanctuary. 1 Collins C Diboll Circle, noma.org."

"New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, (504) 482-1264; www.cafenoma.com. An Americana grain bowl includes chicken breast over wild rice, sweet potatoes, cranberries and baby spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette."

"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"

"Confederate Memorial Hall opened in 1891, making it the oldest collection of Confederate memorabilia in the US. It started after resident Frank T. Howard wrote a letter to the Louisiana Historical Association requesting acknowledgement of the Civil War’s survivors and victims. Here, you’ll embark on a journey through the military history and heritage of the South."

"What kind of ammunition and instruments did they use against one another?. The Confederate Memorial Hall commemorates the American Civil War by keeping a preserved exhibition of all the materials involved. Here you will get a chance to learn about all of the battles, trials, and about each person that played a vital role in the Civil War."

"Louisiana’s Civil War Museum opened in 1891, making it the oldest operating museum in Louisiana. It is also known as the Confederate Memorial Hall Museum. Here, you’ll find a large collection of historical artifacts from the Civil War."

"Address: 945 Magazine StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 528-1944Website. The museum’s exhibits cover “the war that changed the world” through exhibits that focus on world leaders, events, and the war’s courageous men and women. Stay on the Museum’s campus at the Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, an art-deco style property offering first-class accommodations."

"The National World War II Museum in New Orleans was designated by the United States Congress as America’s official WWII museum. There are many different exhibits depicting different pivotal moments in the world. Read the stories and see different photographs and artifacts from the beaches of Normandy and the events that happened on D-Day."

"The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world — why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today — so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn."

"Located in the historic New Orleans suburb of Metairie, Ristorante Filippo is under the watchful culinary genius of a New Orleans native chef of Italian descent. Known for having s..."

"Sauteed veal Sorrentina is topped with prosciutto, eggplant, mozzarella and marinara and served with spaghetti. Reservations accepted. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat."

"This Sicilian family-run Chalmette icon is about a 20 drive from downtown, but well worth the trip with a cafeteria style operation where huge portions of macaroni and cheese, red gravy, stuffed peppers, and perfectly fried soft shell crabs are doled out on the daily."

"On a recent visit for $23, two of us had a meal that was packed home to easily feed six. There is a 20-minute wait for a four-piece order of perfectly executed fried chicken. It is worth the wait and comes with a side of whatever “vegetable” you choose."