Cafe Du Monde French Market
4.5(46K)google
4.2(4.7K)yelp
Local LifeDowntownCoffeeMust-SeeDate SpotSlow-Paced
Overview
Cafe Du Monde French Market is a world-famous, open-air coffee shop established in 1862 and located at the edge of the historic French Quarter. Open twenty-four hours a day, this iconic landmark is legendary for serving hot, crispy French-style beignets buried under a mountain of powdered sugar, traditionally paired with a rich cup of cafe au lait blended with chicory roots. Sitting under its green-and-white striped awning is an essential culinary ritual for any visitor seeking the true taste of New Orleans.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 45-60 minutes
Best TimeHighly recommended to visit in the early morning (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) or late at night after midnight. This legendary open-air cafe operates 24/7; visiting during these off-peak windows allows you to easily bypass the massive daytime lines to enjoy warm, powdered sugar-covered Beignets and a signature Cafe au Lait.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in the heart of the French Quarter directly across from Jackson Square at 800 Decatur St. It is best reached on foot or by taking the Riverfront Streetcar to the Dumaine St station, which drops you off right across the street. Driving is highly discouraged due to strict parking limits.
Travel Tips
- If the line is long, walk directly in and find a table in the seating area for table service. The long queue is for to-go orders only.
- Open 24/7 (except Christmas), the best times to visit to avoid crowds are very early in the morning or late at night, ensuring fresh beignets and shorter waits.
- Cash transactions are faster in this busy spot. Be careful not to inhale or laugh while eating to avoid getting covered in the generous amount of powdered sugar.
Reviews
Positive
- The freshly fried Beignets are piping hot, crispy outside, and tender inside; paired with their signature Café au Lait, the taste absolutely lives up to its fame.
- Open 24/7 (except a few holidays), it always welcomes you whether you want hot coffee in the early morning or a sweet treat after a late-night party.
- Despite its massive fame, the prices for beignets and coffee remain very affordable and cheap, with absolutely no tourist price-gouging inside.
- The open-air dining area is filled with New Orleans' lively street hustle, often accompanied by wonderful jazz performances from nearby buskers.
Heads up
- The lines are despairingly long; both dine-in and takeout often require a half-hour wait, which is too high a time cost just for a quick taste.
- Thick white powdered sugar is everywhere on tables, chairs, and floors, blowing onto your clothes, and the sticky ground leaves cleanliness leaves much to be desired.
- Service relies entirely on a fast-paced assembly line; exhausted employees can be cold and dismissive, and tables are rarely wiped down promptly.
- The place is chaotic and extremely noisy; it is definitely not an elegant café where you can sit quietly to read and enjoy coffee, feeling more like a loud wet market.