Best Beignets in New Orleans

What are beignets?

Beignets are square, puffy, deep-fried pastries that are covered in powdered sugar. They’re best served hot and with a cup of coffee. In New Orleans you will see cafe au lait, which is coffee with hot milk added in! We ate at 3 different places to determine the best beignets in New Orleans. We will be rating each of the beignets on the follow categories: Size, Price, Taste, Texture, Flavor Options, and Atmosphere.

Cafe Beignet (Decatur St)

Cafe Beignet is definitely the best bang for your buck with large and delicious beignets! We loved the plain beignets but they also offer beignets topped with various toppings including strawberries, and chocolate. 3 beignets are $4.75. Along with beignets, and they have other food items including omelets and a variety of hot and cold coffees. Even though the outside of the building was under construction when we went, the inside had a cute and eclectic atmosphere and we loved eating there. Cafe Beignet on Decatur St is open from 8am – 8pm Friday through Sunday and 8 am to 6pm Monday through Thursday. There are also locations on Bourbon St, Canal St, and Royal St. that have their own hours. 

Cafe Du Monde (Decatur St.)

Cafe Du Monde always caught our eye when we were walking around. It always had live music, and a very long line to get under the green canopy. We managed to go during an off time (8 am) and easily got a table and were quickly served. Operating since 1862, they have maintained their traditional menu of beignets and coffee served black coffee au lait (it is mixed with hot milk). Even during the early morning they had musicians playing as we ate our beignets.3 beignets are $3.85 and a small hot regular coffee is $2.95. Cafe Du Monde on Decatur St. is open from 7:15 AM – 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and 7:15 AM – 12 AM Friday through Saturday. Other locations are located in the Riverwalk Mall, in City Park, and at the New Orleans Airport.

Note: Cafe Du Monde is a cash only establishment.

Loretta’s (French Market) 

Loretta’s is located in the French Market. We had heard great things about their beignets, and the flavors did not disappoint. The Praline filled beignets were delicious with a nice crunchy outer texture. We only wished they were bigger so we had more to enjoy!  They had a lot of other great flavors on their menu, but they didn’t serve the savory flavors (burger, crab, crawfish) until after noon, and some of their sweet flavors we wanted to try (PB&J) were already sold out. 3 traditional beignets or 3 praline beignets sell for $7.16. The Savory Beignets start at $8.50. There are a few tables in the market to sit and eat your beignet and there are many other vendors in the area to grab a drink when you’re done.

Loretta’s is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9AM to 4PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM – 5 PM. There is another location at the intersection of N. Rampart St and Frenchmen St.

* This would have been a 5/5 if all flavors were available. They were out of 2 flavors and the savory flavors weren’t available until after 12.