Best French Bakery in New Orleans

"There are a ton of places to get beignets, but in my opinion Cafe du Monde is the best. Although there are usually long lines, it's completely worth the wait. Be prepared to have sticky hands and powdered sugar all over your face."

"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."

"It closes only on Christmas Day and on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-525-4544"

"A neighborhood bakery dating back to 1911, which added the “poor boy” to the menu when it was invented in the 1920s. While the place closed in 1993, current owner Jay Nix resurrected the landmark Parkway Bakery & Tavern in the early aughts, serving some of the finest po-boys in town."

"This Bayou St. John po' boy staple is a favorite among locals and tourists in the know. The fried shrimp is a classic, but it's the Thanksgiving po' boy that has locals lining up around the block on Wednesdays in November. Bonus: An excellent Reuben and gumbo."

"The beloved Parkway reopened in May with a limited takeout menu of its favorite po-boys, sides, and desserts. Call for parking lot pickup, Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m."

"Managed by the renowned Besh Restaurant Group and helmed by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Kelly Fields, Willa Jean is a modern bakery and kitchen crafting Southern comfort food in an urban-chic environment. The stylish restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with freshly baked pastries and sweet treats, which are perfectly paired with signature Willa Jean blend Intelligentsia Coffee and specialty coffee drinks. Tuck into creative breakfast and brunch dishes of crawfish and grits with poached eggs and cheddar biscuits, biscuits with gravy, fried eggs, and pimiento cheese, and griddled banana bread."

"Opened in 2015 by South Carolina-born chef Kelly Fields, Willa Jean offers a bright, modern space to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. The pastry counter alone is worth a visit. In 2019, Fields won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef."

"I’ve only been to Cafe Du Monde, but that Willa Jean warm chocolate chip cookie looks right up my alley!. I would love to do a swamp tour and a cemetery tour!. This is a very well-done New Orleans guide!"

"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."

"Exceptional food, drinks, and value in a gorgeous courtyard setting!. Ambience is just wonderful. Very romantic with the string lights and…”more"

"New Orleans (well, old Metairie), now has an outpost of the Houston-based Shipley’s Do-nuts, best known for its yeast doughnuts, cake doughnuts, filled doughnuts, and kolaches (like the “Big Earl,” Earl Campbell sausage, cheese and jalapeño). Its doughnuts are mostly straightforward and toping-less, and classically good."

"In addition to the history behind the name — which we discussed earlier — this French Quarter coffeehouse has been a favorite of many since they opened, including Emily Klein Morris. She loves the energy and vibe in the shop, and vouches for their “perfect almond milk lattes.” She said the espresso is perfectly smooth with no bitter aftertaste, and that “they’ve mastered the challenging task of frothing the almond milk without oversteaming it."

"A stunning gallery in the French Quarter housing museum-quality pieces ranging from French furniture and impressionist paintings to Dresden porcelain. The 30,000-sq-ft showroom is in a 100-year-old landmark building, and one could spend an afternoon gazing at its walls, which bear such delights as an original Renoir oil portrait of his son and a recently discovered painting by Norman Rockwell. Not to be missed is the newly redecorated impressionist room, complete with original works by Monet, Van Gogh and even a Gauguin."

"Next up is the French Quarter's M.S. Rau, situated at 622 Royal St. With 4.5 stars out of 28 reviews on Yelp, the art gallery and jewelry spot, serving antiques and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. If you're looking for more, we found these details about M.S."

"Without a doubt, Royal Street in the French Quarter is one of the best places in New Orleans for rare finds and antique shopping. If you’re in the market for truly one-of-a-kind items, then plan a visit to the internationally recognized M.S."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Are you looking for a mall with fewer crowds?. Cypress Plaza Shopping Center is relatively smaller and only houses a few shops, making the shopping experience here more relaxed."

"One of the best kept-secrets when it comes to romantic French restaurants. Here, you’ll find unique items like frogs legs but familiar ones as well, such as grilled rack of lamb, Cornish hen, or grilled salmon. Don’t like French food?"

"For more than a century, there’s been a long line outside Galatoire’s, the most famous restaurant on one of the world’s most famous streets (Bourbon). Like the city itself, Galatoire’s is a restaurant that combines elegant with raucous. From the Soufflé Potatoes appetizer followed by Black Drum topped with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat to Carmel Cup Custard and a cup of Flaming Café Brûlot, this is an experience not to be missed."

"Amidst the chaos (and, let’s face it, uncouthness) of Bourbon Street is a refined, old-line restaurant where waiters wear black bow ties and business people make deals during marathon lunch-into-dinner sessions. Here you’ll dine on famed traditional Creole dishes like shrimp rémoulade and trout amandine."

"Galatoires is a well-established restaurant that first opened its doors in 1905. Since then, it has maintained an excellent reputation for the quality of the food served. It is also known for delivering top-quality customer service."

"You'll find everything from pizza to Middle Eastern to Vietnamese (plus a cocktail bar) at the stylish Pythian Market, a food hall located on the edge of the French Quarter. I've only been once, but I loved the flavor-packed Mushroom Medley Salad from Squeezed, and my husband had a Phoritto (basically, pho in burrito form ... a tofu version is available) from Eatwell."

"Next on our list of the absolute best lunch spots in New Orleans: Pythian Market is more than just a food hall in downtown New Orleans. In the market, you’ll not only find local food, but also a craft bar and curated retail vendors. Pythian Market is a gathering place for food, community, and commemoration of New Orleans culture."

"This instantly recognizable food truck celebrates the simple deliciousness of butter, cheese, and fresh bread with grilled cheese treats that venture beyond classic. Try the spicy pimento or saucy craw-daddy, with a side of fried macaroni and cheese balls. Craving more cheap eats in New Orleans of the food truck variety?"

"A favorite with the locals, Surrey's Café & Juice Bar is a casual eatery that serves fresh-squeezed juices, organic, and specialty coffees and freshly baked pastries as well as light and healthy fare for breakfast and lunch. Boasting two locations – one in the lower Garden shopping district on Magazine Street and one on Napoleon Avenue in Uptown – Surrey's Café & Juice Bar’s menu has favorites such as huevos rancheros with eggs, black beans, tortillas, and plenty of chilies smothered in a richly flavored mole sauce and the signature muffuletta, which is packed with cheese, salami, ham, and olive salad. The family-friendly cafés are decorated with plush plants, whimsical artwork, and regional music, and they are open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week."

"1418 Magazine St., (504) 524-3828; 4807 Magazine St., (504) 895-5757; www.surreysnola.com. Sauteed Louisiana shrimp in New Orleans-style barbecue sauce are served with bacon and green onions over grits with French bread croutons."

"6500 Magazine St., (504) 212-5282; www.auduboninstitute.org/clubhouse-cafe. A smoked sausage po-boy is topped with caramelized onions, coleslaw, pickles, mayonnaise and Creole mustard on Leidenheimer bread and also is available as a wrap in a spinach or flour tortilla. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"Sit at a table on the veranda of this casual restaurant while taking in views of the golf course and golfers. The restaurant is located just off Magazine Street in the middle of Audubon Park. It’s open to the public seven days a week."

"Uptown: A view of Audubon Park's century old oak trees is best enjoyed on the cafe's veranda with a mimosa in hand during the Sunday buffet brunch, or during a casual lunch.[Photo: Yelp/Leslie P.]"