Cafe Du Monde
New Orleans, LA
Celebrated in New Orleans and beyond for its piping-hot beignets (airy dough fritters covered with powdered sugar) and chicory-infused coffee, Cafe du Monde is possibly the city’s best-known culinary attraction. It opened in 1862 in the French Market, and while there are plenty of branches around town (and at the airport) with the same offerings, visiting the original location is part of the quintessential NoLa experience.
The basics
As Cafe du Monde is one of the top attractions in New Orleans, it’s featured on lots of different city tours. Food-focused walking tours naturally stop at the famous coffee shop, but so do many history tours, French Quarter cycling tours, and even scavenger hunts and ghost tours. Opt to visit on a private or small-group tour if you want to dine in, as space at the café is often limited.
Things to know before you go
- Cafe du Monde is a must for foodies or first-time visitors to New Orleans.
- This original location has a lot of shaded outdoor tables.
- Don’t expect a huge variety: The menu is simple, with plates of beignets (always sold in threes), coffee, and a few other drinks.
- If you’re in a rush but still want some beignets, head to the takeout window, where lines tend to move quickly.
- Packaged items—chicory coffee and beignet mix—are available at the café and at souvenir shops around town.
How to get there
Cafe du Monde's main location is in the French Market, just across from Jackson Square on Decatur Street. It's an easy walk if you’re already in the French Quarter. If you're coming from elsewhere in the city, take tram 49 to the Dumaine Station, less than a minute's walk away.
When to get there
While Cafe du Monde used to be open around the clock, it now opens early in the morning and closes late at night, with slightly later hours on Friday and Saturday. Be ready for lines and crowds no matter when you visit, but if you come first thing in the morning or within an hour of closing (on a weekday), you might not have to wait for a table.
The French Market
Though Cafe du Monde is among the top attractions in the French Market, it’s certainly not the only reason to visit the historic open-air market, where you'll find everything from incense vendors to shops selling spice mixes for making jambalaya and gumbo. Good stops for sweet tooths include Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop, which is right next to the Cafe du Monde, and The Fudgery, which sells a dozen different types of fudge.
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