Cafe du Monde

Cafe du Monde at 800 Decatur Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, has served beignets and coffee beside Jackson Square and the French Market since 1862. It is one of the most visited food stops in the city and a defining New Orleans tradition. The menu is deliberately tiny. The signature order is three square, fried pastries called beignets, buried in powdered sugar and served hot, along with cafe au lait made with dark-roast coffee blended with chicory, a style that dates to the Civil War era when chicory stretched scarce coffee. Alternatives include chicory coffee served black, iced and frozen cafe au lait, hot chocolate, orange juice and milk, and a few bottled soft drinks. Nothing on the menu is complicated, and that is the appeal. The open-air, covered pavilion has green-and-white awnings, tightly packed tables and brisk waiters in paper hats. Live street musicians often play on the adjoining sidewalks and plaza, and the nearby Mississippi River levee, St. Louis Cathedral and the mule-drawn carriages make the setting memorable. It is lively, crowded, often loud and informal, and visitors should expect to share the sugar-dusted tables with locals and tour groups. Cafe du Monde operates with long hours and is a late-night as well as an early-morning stop, though hours should be confirmed. There are no reservations, and lines at peak times, such as weekend mornings, can be long, so visiting early in the morning or late in the evening is easier. Seating and take-out are separate, and there is a take-out window for those who prefer to eat on the riverfront. Expect to spend about US$8-15 per person. Powdered sugar spreads quickly, so dark clothing is a practical choice. Visitors should also keep an eye on napkins in windy weather, since the sugar and paper both travel quickly off tables near the open sides of the pavilion in the Quarter.