CAFÉ DU MONDE
True foodies usually avoid tourist traps like the plague but if there is one such place that deserves a visit, this iconic café is the one. The 24/7 café serves coffee and beignets only and you haven’t lived until you’ve had a cup of traditional New Orleans coffee and chicory and a fresh-from-the-fryer beignet dredged in powdered sugar.
Located in the French Market, this is the original location (though there are several dotted around the city) and is always packed so it’s best to perfectly time your visit and get your beignet fix during off-peak hours or make a late-night run. Be sure to grab plenty of napkins—it’s going to get messy and if your clothes are covered in powdered sugar by the time you’re finished eating, you’ve done something right.