Quick answer
New Orleans beignets range from budget-friendly ($2) to fine dining ($80), but the iconic Café Du Monde is a must-try for the classic experience. However, travelers suggest exploring alternatives like Loretta's for unique flavors, especially during peak tourist seasons when lines can be long.
- Best overall
- Café Du Monde
- Top pick
- Café Du Monde
Top verdicts
- Café Du Monde: The original is open 24 hours; rolling in at 6 a.m.
- Loretta's Authentic Pralines: The French Market stall is more reliable for finding stuffed varieties than the Rampart Street shop.
- Café Beignet: The Musical Legends Park location on Bourbon has free live jazz from late morning onwards.
New Orleans invented the beignet as we know it — and the city still serves the best versions anywhere on Earth. From the legendary Café Du Monde (open since 1862) to Loretta’s praline-stuffed creations in the French Market, there’s a beignet for every mood and budget.
Area map
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Café Du Monde | restaurant | budget | 800 Decatur St |
| 2 | Loretta's Authentic Pralines | restaurant | budget | 1100 N Peters St, Stall #9 |
| 3 | Café Beignet | restaurant | budget | 334 Royal St |
| 4 | Morning Call Coffee Stand | restaurant | budget | 5601 City Park Ave |
| 5 | Ruby Slipper | brunch-spot | mid | 204 Decatur St |
| 6 | DISTRICT Donuts Sliders Brew | restaurant | budget | 2209 Magazine St |
| 7 | Brennan's | restaurant | budget | 417 Royal St |
| 8 | Willa Jean | southern-bakery | budget | 611 O'Keefe Ave |
| 9 | Café Du Monde — City Park | restaurant | budget | 56 Dreyfous Dr |
| 10 | Restaurant R'evolution | restaurant | budget | 777 Bienville St |
| 11 | The Vintage | restaurant | budget | 3927 Magazine St |
| 12 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | restaurant | mid | Various locations |
1Café Du Monde
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- The benchmark French Quarter beignet
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 800 Decatur St
- Price / value
- $3–$8
- Why it made the list
- Open since 1862 on Decatur Street and the global benchmark for the New Orleans beignet — three to an order, buried in powdered sugar, served with chicory café au lait.
- What to order
- An order of three beignets and a café au lait — that's the whole menu people are here for.
🕐 Opening hours
2Loretta's Authentic Pralines
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Stuffed and praline beignets
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 1100 N Peters St, Stall #9
- Price / value
- $5–$12
- Why it made the list
- The first African-American-owned praline business in New Orleans and the city's go-to for stuffed beignets — crab, shrimp, or sweet praline filling.
- What to order
- A praline-filled beignet plus the traditional sugar-dusted ones for comparison.
🕐 Opening hours
3Café Beignet
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Beignets with a side of jazz
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 334 Royal St
- Price / value
- $4–$10
- Why it made the list
- Royal Street courtyard with live jazz on most days and a beignet that runs lighter and crisper than Café Du Monde's chewier classic.
- What to order
- Beignet plate with a chicory iced coffee; the breakfast menu is also a credible French Quarter option.
🕐 Opening hours
4Morning Call Coffee Stand
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Less crowded historic beignets
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 5601 City Park Ave
- Price / value
- $3–$8
- Why it made the list
- Founded 1870 and now in City Park — the historic alternative to Café Du Monde, with self-serve sugar shakers and a calmer crowd.
- What to order
- Beignets and a chicory coffee; the gumbo is a credible savory option if you want a meal.
🕐 Opening hours
5Ruby Slipper
Brunch SpotQuick comparison
- Best for
- Brunch-with-beignets combo
- Strengths
- Known for Brunch Spot · 204 Decatur St
- Price / value
- $10–$25
- Why it made the list
- Local brunch chain that turns out a credible beignet alongside a full Southern brunch menu — a useful pivot if you want eggs with your fried dough.
- What to order
- Eggs Cochon (slow-cooked pork over biscuits) with a side order of beignets.
6DISTRICT Donuts Sliders Brew
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Modern flavored beignets
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 2209 Magazine St
- Price / value
- $5–$15
- Why it made the list
- Magazine Street modern bakery doing experimental flavored beignets alongside their well-known doughnuts and breakfast sliders.
- What to order
- Whatever beignet flavor is on the daily board, plus a fried-chicken slider for the savory contrast.
7Brennan's
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Upscale beignet brunch experience
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 417 Royal St
- Price / value
- $30–$75
- Why it made the list
- Royal Street institution since 1946 and the home of Bananas Foster — the dessert-cart beignets are part of the full luxe brunch experience.
- What to order
- The full breakfast menu; finish with Bananas Foster prepared tableside and the dessert beignets.
🕐 Opening hours
8Willa Jean
Southern BakeryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Bakery-quality beignets and brunch
- Strengths
- Known for Southern Bakery · 611 O'Keefe Ave
- Price / value
- $12–$30
- Why it made the list
- Kelly Fields' bakery-restaurant in the CBD has won repeated James Beard recognition for pastry; their beignets sit alongside one of the better bread programs in the city.
- What to order
- Beignets, the cornbread with whipped honey butter, and whatever's coming out of the wood oven.
🕐 Opening hours
9Café Du Monde — City Park
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Calmer Café Du Monde experience
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 56 Dreyfous Dr
- Price / value
- $3–$8
- Why it made the list
- Same beignets as the Decatur Street original but with City Park as the backyard — a dramatically calmer setting if you don't need the French Quarter view.
- What to order
- Standard order of three beignets and a café au lait.
🕐 Opening hours
10Restaurant R'evolution
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fine-dining beignet brunch
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 777 Bienville St
- Price / value
- $35–$80
- Why it made the list
- John Folse and Rick Tramonto's tasting-menu restaurant in the Royal Sonesta does an upscale interpretation of the New Orleans beignet inside a fine-dining brunch.
- What to order
- Death by Gumbo and the brunch beignets; the full multi-course experience if budget allows.
🕐 Opening hours
11The Vintage
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Stuffed dessert beignet flights
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · 3927 Magazine St
- Price / value
- $15–$35
- Why it made the list
- Magazine Street wine bar that turns out flavored beignets stuffed with everything from chocolate-hazelnut to Bananas Foster — the most adventurous beignet menu in town.
- What to order
- The Bananas Foster beignet and one of the savory ones; pair with espresso or a cocktail.
🕐 Opening hours
12Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
RestaurantQuick comparison
- Best for
- Late-night chain beignet fallback
- Strengths
- Known for Restaurant · Various locations
- Price / value
- $2–$8
- Why it made the list
- The Louisiana fast-food chain serves a credible chain-priced beignet alongside the chicken — a useful airport-or-late-night fallback when nothing else is open.
- What to order
- Beignets as a dessert add-on; spicy thigh and red beans for the actual meal.
🕐 Opening hours
Frequently asked questions
What is a beignet?
A beignet (pronounced ben-YAY) is a square piece of fried dough, generously dusted with powdered sugar. French-Creole colonists brought them to New Orleans in the 18th century. Unlike a donut, beignets have no hole and are typically puffier with a chewier interior. They're traditionally served in orders of three alongside café au lait — chicory coffee mixed with hot milk.
Is Café Du Monde really the best for beignets?
Café Du Monde is the most iconic and arguably the benchmark — they've been making beignets since 1862. But locals are split. Many prefer Loretta's Authentic Pralines for their praline-stuffed version, Café Beignet for a more relaxed vibe, or Morning Call for shorter lines. The honest answer: Café Du Monde is a must-try for the experience, but your actual favorite might be somewhere else.
What are the best beignets besides Café Du Monde?
Reddit's top alternatives are Loretta's Authentic Pralines (praline-stuffed beignets in the French Market), Café Beignet (courtyard seating, live jazz, on Royal Street), Morning Call (City Park location, equally historic), and for savory versions, Restaurant R'evolution's crawfish and blue crab beignets.
When is the best time to visit Café Du Monde?
Go early morning (before 9 AM) or late at night (after 10 PM on weekdays) to avoid the worst lines. The original French Quarter location is open until 11 PM–midnight. Weekday mornings are significantly less crowded than weekends. Alternatively, visit the City Park location for the same beignets with shorter waits.
Are there savory beignets in New Orleans?
Yes! Several restaurants serve savory beignets as appetizers. Restaurant R'evolution is famous for their crawfish and blue crab beignets. Café Beignet offers crawfish beignets. Some upscale restaurants like Brennan's and The Vintage incorporate beignets into savory-sweet dessert courses.
How much do beignets cost in New Orleans?
At Café Du Monde, an order of 3 beignets costs about $4.13. Café Beignet charges around $5–6 per order. At sit-down restaurants like Brennan's or R'evolution, beignets are part of a larger ($15–$30+) meal. Popeyes offers 12 beignets for about $7.49.
Can I bring beignet mix home?
Absolutely. Café Du Monde sells their beignet mix in the iconic yellow box at their shop, at the airport, and online. It's a popular souvenir — just add water, roll out, cut into squares, and deep fry at 370°F.
What is the difference between Café Du Monde's locations?
The original <a href="#cafe-du-monde"><strong>Café Du Monde</strong></a> on Decatur Street in the French Quarter is the iconic, bustling, open-air spot known for its vibrant atmosphere and constant crowds. The <a href="#cafe-du-monde-city-park"><strong>Café Du Monde (City Park)</strong></a> location offers the exact same legendary beignets and chicory coffee but in a more serene, park-side setting, generally with shorter lines and ample seating, making it a favorite for locals and families.
Are New Orleans beignets only sweet?
While the traditional New Orleans beignet is a sweet, square piece of fried dough covered in powdered sugar, the city's innovative culinary scene offers savory variations. For a gourmet savory experience, <a href="#restaurant-revolution"><strong>Restaurant R'evolution</strong></a> serves exquisite crawfish and blue crab beignets, transforming the classic into a sophisticated appetizer. Some modern eateries, like <a href="#district-donuts-sliders-brew"><strong>DISTRICT Donuts Sliders Brew</strong></a>, also experiment with various glazes and toppings that can lean less sweet.
Do I need reservations for beignet places in New Orleans?
For most traditional beignet-focused cafes like <a href="#cafe-du-monde"><strong>Café Du Monde</strong></a>, <a href="#cafe-beignet"><strong>Café Beignet</strong></a>, or <a href="#morning-call-coffee-stand"><strong>Morning Call Coffee Stand</strong></a>, reservations are not taken – it's typically first-come, first-served. However, if you're visiting upscale restaurants that serve beignets as part of a larger meal, such as <a href="#brennans"><strong>Brennan's</strong></a>, <a href="#willa-jean"><strong>Willa Jean</strong></a>, or <a href="#restaurant-revolution"><strong>Restaurant R'evolution</strong></a>, reservations are highly recommended, especially for brunch or dinner.
What makes Loretta's Praline-Stuffed Beignets so special?
<a href="#lorettas-authentic-pralines"><strong>Loretta's Authentic Pralines</strong></a> offers a unique twist on the classic beignet by stuffing it with their homemade pecan praline, creating a delightful explosion of flavor and texture. This innovation provides a gooey, sweet surprise inside the airy dough, offering a richer and more decadent experience than the traditional powdered sugar beignet. It's often cited as a must-try alternative to the classic for those seeking something truly unique.
Can I find beignets outside the French Quarter?
Absolutely! While the French Quarter is home to the most famous beignet spots, you can find excellent options throughout New Orleans. For instance, <a href="#morning-call-coffee-stand"><strong>Morning Call Coffee Stand</strong></a> and the <a href="#cafe-du-monde-city-park"><strong>Café Du Monde (City Park)</strong></a> are both located in City Park. On Magazine Street, you'll find creative takes at <a href="#district-donuts-sliders-brew"><strong>DISTRICT Donuts Sliders Brew</strong></a> and <a href="#the-vintage"><strong>The Vintage</strong></a>, while <a href="#willa-jean"><strong>Willa Jean</strong></a> is a popular choice in the Central Business District (CBD).
Is Popeyes a legitimate place to get beignets in New Orleans?
<a href="#popeyes-louisiana-kitchen"><strong>Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen</strong></a> might seem like a controversial pick, but many locals and online communities, particularly on Reddit, swear by their beignets as a surprisingly delicious and convenient option. While they may not offer the traditional cafe experience, Popeyes' beignets are often praised for their consistent quality and accessibility. It's a great 'wild card' choice for a quick, budget-friendly beignet fix that often exceeds expectations.