Food Spotlight: Where to Get Beignets in New Orleans
Crispy on the outside, coated in powdered sugar, soft and fluffy on the inside… what’s not to love about beignets? These deep-fried donuts are a New Orleans food staple.
Now, you’d be hard-pressed to find a coffee shop or bakery that doesn’t serve beignets. But like all things New Orleans, the topic of where to find the best beignets in the city is hotly debated.
If it were up to us, we’d just sample them all! But we’ll send you off with a list of the 5 best beignets in New Orleans to get you started. Enjoy!
Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde is arguably the most famous place to get beignets in all of New Orleans. This should come as no surprise since they’ve served beignets and cafe au lait since 1862.
When you order beignets at Cafe Du Monde, you’ll get a piping hot order of three perfectly fried donuts sprinkled in powdered sugar. Wash them down with a hot (or iced!) cafe au lait for a quintessentially New Orleans treat you won’t want to share.
Cafe Beignet
As the name suggests, this NOLA establishment is well-known for its delicious, square donuts. Just like Cafe Du Monde, beignets come in orders of three, and it’s typical to order a coffee to accompany your decadent dessert.
Cafe Beignet is known for its slightly less traditional beignets, which are said to be somewhat crunchier than the classic versions served at other NOLA beignet restaurants. You’ll just have to sample them to see what kind you prefer!
Beignets aren’t the only treat on the menu at Cafe Beignet. You can also order waffles, po’boys, and cocktails while listening to live jazz, New Orleans style.
New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co.
By now you’ve surely noticed that coffee and beignets go together like peanut butter and jelly. New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co., on beautiful St. Charles Avenue, has plenty of beignet and coffee pairings to delight your taste buds. Enjoy traditional beignets or order the chocolate version to mix things up a bit!
The beignets here are a bit smaller than those at other restaurants, so you can get away with eating more! (Who’s counting calories in New Orleans, anyway?). Grab a frozen caramel coffee for some relief from the summer heat.
SoBou
Savory beignets anyone? We know it’s hard to believe, but you just might find your new favorite dish at SoBou, known for their boozy brunch options. Their duck and sweet potato beignets will make you rethink everything you know about these New Orleans donuts.
Served with chicory coffee ganache and foie gras fondue, these savory beignets are a must-try, if only for the novelty of sampling a modern twist on this classic NOLA dish.
Morning Call
Morning Call is a pillar of the New Orleans beignet scene, serving up some of the best beignets in the city. The restaurant’s 150-year history began at the French Market, and the cafe is now located at Canal Boulevard and City Park Avenue, a convenient Mid City location for passerby to grab a beignet and coffee.
When you order beignets at Morning Call, you’ll get to shake on your own powdered sugar right at your table, so you can have your donuts just how you like them. Stick to the classic cafe au lait or start your morning with an Irish coffee for an extra spring in your step.
If reading this made you hungry, be sure to stop by one of these beignet cafes (or try them all!) next time you’re in town. For more foodie inspiration, be sure to browse our selection of food tours.