Cafe du Monde New Orleans

Just across from the historic Jackson Square, you’ll find the equally historic Cafe du Monde serving crowds day and night, 24/7 every day of the year, except for Christmas. Beignets are the only food thing on the menu here, and it’s been this way since 1862. To drink, you’ve got the choice between chicory coffee (a Cafe du Monde specialty), chocolate milk, milk or fresh pressed orange juice, keeping options sweet and simple. Two lines snake from the front front of the house all the way down the block – despite the sweltering New Orleans heat, there is a clear sense of commitment from the people in line.

*Note the line closest to the street is where you’ll need to wait if you want to sit down, either inside or on the massive terrasse outdoors. The line closest to the back, next to the plants lining the wall, is the spot to hit if you want takeout. The line moves quickly relative to the sit-down line – we waited around 15 minutes to get to the front.

We got milk and coffee, and a set of 3 beignets each. Paper bag and supplies in hand, we headed to the Jackson Square park to enjoy our haul. Seating ourselves on a bench in the shade, we watched school kids play and run around in the grass to the music of a big band playing in the background.

Beignets

We gingerly reached into our paper bags and pulled out our first beignets. They were hot, impossibly pillowy and covered in a thick blanket of powdered sugar. Heavenly. Three beignets and a carton of 2% milk later, our bottom halves were covered in white dust – a clear ring of white in the space around our feet was completely visible. All good signs.

Check it out for the most famous beignets in the city, worth the hype.