One of the most revered coffeehouses in the Big Easy is the ever-famous Café Du Monde on Decatur Street. This casual come-as-you-are, walk-in-off-the-street establishment has been serving their historic powdered-sugar-topped, mouth-watering beignets and world-famous traditional café au lait for decades now and has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.
The circa 1862 neighborhood venue, adorned with its eye-catching green and white-striped awnings, now seats up to about 400 patrons offering an expansive outdoor covered patio complete with overhead ceiling fans. An action-packed indoor seating area offers visitors a more intimate perspective of the space where visitors can grasp a glimpse of the excitement closer to the kitchen where the culinary magic takes place in real time.
The occasional gathering of city pigeons hoping to snag a morsel of leftover beignet that has fallen off of a table, the casual exercise of people-watching of patrons ebbing and flowing in and out of the city streets, the aroma wafting through the air of chicory, sweetened dough, warmth, and comfort – all of these blend seamlessly together at this beloved institution of flavor, friendship and family.
Located within the New Orleans French Market Café Du Monde has perfected the tender sugary treat of the ever-classic New Orleans beignet. This French pastry was first brought to Louisiana through the Acadian culture. The no-fuss menu of beignets, standard coffee, café au lait (French for coffee mixed with hot milk), orange juice and white and chocolate milks have stood the test of time and make the ordering process that much simpler. Ask any local or seasoned Crescent City traveler what or how to order at Café Du Monde, and most will insist that when at this tradition laden café, all you need to remember is “beignets and café au lait” as you approach the order window.
The coffee at Café Du Monde is chicory-based. This provides a subtle, almost chocolatey essence and boldness to this much enjoyed local beverage of choice. Softening the sharp pure coffee taste is another benefit of this ingredient. Most people are intrigued when they realize that chicory is actually the root of the endive plant that is roasted and ground then added to the coffee.
Though the shape and preparation method has changed slightly over the years, the flavor, texture and light-as-air end result of Café Du Monde’s beignets couldn’t be better than what this cherished coffee merchant is proud to be so well known for. Prepare to get powdered! Because that’s what novice beignet consumers won’t be ready for! Unless you’re a veteran sugar-covered beignet connoisseur and know those little tricks for not leaving half of the powdered sugar on yourself rather than on your beignets! But then again, that’s just part of the experience. Served three to an order, the heavenly square-shaped pillows of melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness will find their way into your life somehow, some way. Wash those beignets down with a mug of the café’s popular café au lait, and you’ve really got yourself something special.
Another point of interest is the friendly and courteous service you’ll receive at Café Du Monde. Every server has a story…or two…or three to share if you ask them. It’s tough to leave this establishment without learning some new tidbit of information about the city, or about the coffeehouse, or about how they wound up working there. And the southern hospitality is enough to make you want to linger even longer.
There is so much to see and do and partake in within the city of New Orleans. From historic Jackson Square, to the unique Louisiana architecture and celebratory Mardi Gras festivals, the mighty Mississippi River and the plethora of strategically-placed antique shops, visually appealing pieces of art proudly displayed in a maze of galleries, whimsical shops and fine savory Southern cuisine. Whatever your interest, there will be something awaiting you in this city of never-ending entertainment and intrigue. You might even leave taking a few stories of your own back home!
Consider stopping in at Café Du Monde on your next trip to New Orleans. Anytime of the night or day is the perfect time to enjoy some of the city’s best-loved coffee and sugary-topped accompaniments while you’re in town. The establishment and the location where it exists is rich in history, packed to the brim with layer-upon-layer of culture, and offers memorable Louisiana hospitality and classic tradition not to be missed.
ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Simple and spacious, the traditional green-and-white stripes awning surrounding the eatery’s outdoor covered patio signals passers-by to its French Market location.
FOOD / DRINK: With all of the surrounding restaurants in the French Market, Cafe Du Monde sits proudly amongst them all serving their famous coffee and beignets to the masses of patrons that ebb and flow through the cafe around the clock.
LOCATION: Cafe Du Monde is located in the historic French Market at 800 Decatur Street in New Orleans, LA 70116.
HOURS: The coffeehouse is available for service 24 hours a day except for Christmas Day when it closes its doors from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM on December 26th. Torrential weather factors may also be reason to close on occasion.
SERVICE / STAFF: A terrific place for those who enjoy people watching activities and a friendly and courteous staff offering loads of southern hospitality. Filled with pleasant conversation, the servers are ready to intrigue their customers with their wit and knowledge of the eatery and the city it is housed within.
PRICE / VALUE: A fair value for some of the best beignets you’ll ever enjoy sinking your teeth into. The coffee will change your perception of the typical cup of morning joe!
CORKAGE FEE: This establishment is all about coffee and beignets. No wine here! See our other articles for great eateries and their related corkage charges.
CONTACT INFO: Phone: (504) 525-4544, Website: cafedumonde.com
PARKING: Street parking is available nearby, as well as private lots throughout the city. We usually stroll from our hotel to nearby shops, then end up at the cafe. Another idea is to have your hotel’s house car drop you at Cafe Du Monde first, then you can enjoy making your way back to your hotel from there walking through the city, and perusing the sites, shopping venues, and galleries.