6 Scrumptious Spots for Beignets in New Orleans

Are you on the hunt for the most scrumptious beignets in New Orleans? In this post, we chat about French Quarter beignets, traditional beignets, and savory beignets.

What’s a beignet? A beignet is a square piece of dough that is fried until golden. It’s like a donut, only better. Sorry, but not gluten-friendly.

Pair it with cafe au lait, and it’s the perfect breakfast… midday snack… dessert… or whenever you feel like having beignets.

Beignets are served hot, freshly fried, and generously covered with powdered sugar.

Sometimes they are served stuffed with something sweet, or they are served as a savory meal. I recently discovered crab stuffed beignets and even a cheeseburger beignet.

The consistency of beignets varies. It is all dependent on that dough recipe and how it is handled. Also, the oil it’s fried in can make a difference, as well as the temperature of it.

It’s a science. One that many of these places have down to a tee. That’s why knowing where to go for beignets in New Orleans is essential and seeing which ones are your favorites.

And no, there is no comparison to the ones served at Disney.

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We haven’t had the chance to try ALL the beignets in New Orleans. We enjoyed enough of them that I can direct you to spots that will have you in powered sugared beignet bliss.

I have this thing that when visiting a city known for something, especially if it’s sweet, I try to have it daily from different spots. I did this in the Florida Keys, hunting down the best Key Lime Pie – of course, there was only so much pie I could have in 4 days.

Same with beignets. But I’ve tried enough French Quarter Beignets between my New Orleans trips that I’m compelled to share them all with you. Yes, it means that much to me. I hope you enjoy similar experiences and not miss out on anything.

We will return more frequently to continue our research and enjoy everything the French Quarter and New Orleans offer, including the best foodie spots and must-eats. Cause who doesn’t love this kind of research?

Beignets in New Orleans

1. Loretta’s Authentic Pralines

The French Market is one of my favorite spots in the French Quarter because you can try multiple local treats in one area. Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is located in the French Market and is serving some of the best beignets in New Orleans for 35 years. It was love at first bite.

At Loretta’s, you can get traditional beignets stuffed with praline (which is what I had) or even better, have one of her savory stuffed beignets.

As I waited for beignets, multiple locals waiting in the stand nearby guaranteed me that they are “the best”. One said, “Oh, you must try their crab beignets.” Another chimed in and said, “Oh my, have you tried the burger beignet? Cause I’ve had it twice this week.”

It’s the best when fellow foodies surround me.

Drool formed at the corner of my mouth as I took in all this information. Crab stuff beignets?! Cheeseburger beignets?! Then I looked carefully at the menu, and all sorts of savory beignets are available. A whole new world of beignets opened up to me.

Did I try the savory beignets? No. I was still full from a fantastic breakfast from Muriel’s that I was just there for the praline beignets.

The praline beignets blew me away. Loretta’s beignets are light and airy, the praline feeling not overly sweet. I thought I was having one, but I ate two of them. Loretta’s instantly topped this list.

Loretta’s | 1008 N Peters St, New Orleans | Google Map It

2. Cafe Beignet

Before trying Loretta’s, Cafe Beignet was at the top of my list. Their donuts are amazingly light and flakey, with pockets of air that make it a wonderfully pillowy bite. It’s no wonder that Alton Brown claims it’s one of the best things he ever ate.

On my last trip to New Orleans, I compared Cafe Beignet and Cafe du Monde… Cafe du Monde won by a landslide.

As far as the cafe au lait… it’s not Cafe du Monde or Morning Call. While their chicory coffee is sourced locally, it really didn’t taste like anything special to me.

Cafe Beignet has multiple locations in New Orleans. There is even one on Decatur Street, near Cafe du Monde. The Bourbon Street location is open until 10 pm for a late-night snack.

Cafe Beignet | 334 Royal St, New Orleans | Google Map It

3. Streetcar Cafe

For French Quarter beignets, add Streetcar Cafe to your list. This cafe serves breakfast and lunch. Have an order of beignets on the side, or just stop by for coffee and beignets.

Warm, toasty, and fluffy squares served with powdered sugar. You may consider them one of the top beignets in the French Quarter. You won’t know unless you try them.

They are open only until 3 pm, so plan for breakfast or brunch.

Streetcar Cafe | 312 St Charles Ave, New Orleans | Google Map It

4. Cafe Du Monde

Since 1862 Cafe du Monde has been serving coffee and french-syle donuts. They have it down to a science. Their kitchens are full of powdered sugar, cranking out beignets all day. The line for beignets starts early and stays steadily busy throughout the day.

If you don’t want to wait in a long line, look to go later in the evening.

Naturally, these are the first beignets I ever tried in New Orleans, along with Cafe du Monde’s cafe au lait. The beignets are crispy, slightly dense, and not as airy as the others below. I find them to be slightly heavier and crunchier in a bite.

Are they my favorites? No. But they are good.

Their cafe au lait is one of my favorites. You can taste the chicory in their coffee which adds a whole new dimension of flavor. I’m a big fan.

The Decatur St location is usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Due to staff shortages, they operate on shorter hours. Check the location store hours before going.

Other branches can be found throughout Louisianna.

Cafe du Monde | 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | Google Map It

5. Morning Call

Morning Call was a lucky stop during a night cemetery tour. The tour guide (a local) made a not-so-nice comment about a certain popular beignet spot mentioned above and deemed the beignets from Morning Call one of the best beignets in New Orleans.

And it wasn’t the first time I witnessed a negative local comment on this classic location.

Are the beignets from Morning Call one of the best? In my humble opinion, they were good but not “the best.”

Seeing other reviews online rave over these beignets from Morning Call, locals included, shows that “the best” is subjective.

However, I’d go back. The cafe au lait at Morning Call is the best coffee in New Orleans that I’ve had so far.

If you’re a coffee lover, I highly recommend checking them out. Have some beignets to go with them because they are the perfect pairing. Hey, the 2nd round may be better.

Note: Cash only.

Morning Call | 56 Dreyfous Dr, New Orleans | Google Map It

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6. The Vintage

When an establishment describes a beignet as “a pillow of goodness”, you know they take their beignets seriously. The Vintage is a chic cafe on Magazine Street with a Parisian vibe and a delicious menu, including beignets.

Your options: Traditional beignets, a Fancy Beignet Flight or Beignet Bites.

The Fancy Beignet Flight is 3 pillowy beignets filled with your choice of filling. From the Instagram photos, it looks amazing! Worthy of this list.

They are open late, from 10 pm to close on Friday and Saturday, serving beignet bites, a glass of cava optional.

This is one spot I found AFTER leaving New Orleans, and I seriously considered getting back on a plane to have these beignets.

I’m adding them to the list, so YOU can try them and report back to me – I love hearing from my readers.

The Vintage | 3121 Magazine St, New Orleans | Google Map It