Cafe Beignet, Royal Street

Cafe Beignet is a cute, classic New Orleans spot, and definitely worth a stop for their famous namesake treat. I had their beignets, and while they are undeniably sweet and rich - definitely not for the light-hearted - I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't hit too heavily afterward. It’s a genuinely tasty treat. A couple of crucial tips for your visit: Since the beignets are quite rich, it's better to go with a group so you can easily share them. More importantly, they have another shop located just two streets away that offers live music and much better seating, which might make for a more enjoyable overall experience. Overall, I recommend trying this classic dessert. It’s a worthwhile and tasty part of the New Orleans experience.

Café Beignet was our first stop in New Orleans to try this iconic local specialty. The café is spacious and very well located, offering plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, which makes it a comfortable place to take a break, especially in a busy, tourist-heavy area. The menu focuses primarily on beignets, accompanied by a selection of breakfast items and a full range of hot and cold drinks. Prices are reasonable and accessible. We ordered two lattes and one order of beignets, which are served in a portion of three. We opted for the version with jam, making it a nice introduction to the local variation of this classic treat. The beignets were served hot and fresh. From a local perspective, they are enjoyable and certainly worth trying. However, for visitors from Europe, particularly those familiar with Italian or French pastries, the texture may feel slightly underwhelming. While the exterior was well cooked and crisp, the inside was a bit underdone, lacking the light, airy consistency one might expect. This likely comes down to differences in dough preparation, oil temperature, and cooking time, details that make all the difference. That said, Café Beignet delivers exactly what it promises: an authentic New Orleans experience. While it may not rival European versions of similar pastries, it remains a must-try local specialty and a pleasant place to enjoy a coffee and soak in the atmosphere before leaving the city. Overall, Café Beignet is a solid stop for first-time visitors looking to experience one of New Orleans’ most famous treats in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

At Cafe Beignet, the beignet is treated less as a novelty and more as a daily ritual, woven into the ordinary rhythms of the French Quarter. Set just off Royal Street, the café offers a quieter counterpoint to the city’s louder culinary landmarks, a place where locals and visitors pause rather than perform. The beignet itself carries a history older than the room in which it is served. Introduced to Louisiana through French colonists in the eighteenth century, the beignet evolved into a distinctly New Orleans expression: square, pillowy, fried to order, and buried unapologetically beneath powdered sugar. At Cafe Beignet, that tradition is honored with restraint. The dough is light and properly aerated, the exterior gently crisp, the interior warm and yielding. The sugar falls freely, as it should, dusting the table almost as much as the plate. Coffee arrives in the familiar New Orleans style, dark and rounded with chicory, a practice that dates back to the nineteenth century when chicory was used as a practical substitute during shortages and stayed for the flavor it imparted. Here, it works as intended, grounding the sweetness of the pastry with bitterness and depth. The setting reinforces the experience. Inside, black and white tile floors and curved ceilings recall the city’s European past without tipping into nostalgia. Outside, small tables spill onto the sidewalk, inviting lingering conversation and people watching. Service is efficient and unhurried, attuned to the fact that this is a place for pause rather than destination dining. Cafe Beignet succeeds by understanding its role. It does not attempt to redefine a New Orleans icon or compete with its most famous counterpart. Instead, it offers something arguably more valuable: consistency, calm, and a sense of continuity. In a city where food is inseparable from history, this modest café keeps a simple tradition alive, one warm square at a time.

A short walk from our hotel, Cafe Beignet was a great place for breakfast and coffee. Open air in December is not something we are used to. Arriving early (just as they opened) was luck and this location filled up quickly. Was it the waffles, the omelets, the French toast, the pastries, or the coffees that attracted the patrons? It was all good. Locals on their way to work and tourists, like us, blended together over some good food.

Worst experience. The girl at the billing counter gave me somebody else’s left behind cafe latte, when I ordered a hot latte. The outdoor area was smelling so bad could not sit there. French toasts were the worst part of the. The food looks better but tastes bad. Beignets were tasty honestly. But rest of the coffee and every other dish I ordered were so bad I cannot tell you! How can a croissant be bad in a coffee shop? I have never experienced this in my life. I could see the waitresses were good but this particular girl at the billing counter gave old coffee? Like who does that?

Great little spot! I love the decor! The beignets are huge! My husband and I shared an order of the pecan and caramel ones. We opted to have the pecans and caramel on the side. The beignets were cooked to order! Piping hot when they came out! The inside was nice and thick! The caramel and pecans added were a great compliment! It would be even better if this was stuffed inside! There is a cute outside courtyard as well. Friendly and quick service! I will definitely return.

Delicious beignets! Super cheap and super tasty. Although to be honest, the only reason I came here was to use the restroom. Still, was a good opportunity to try some delicious tasty pastries. Wish I could have had some coffee alongside, but maybe next time. Loved these beignets’

So the are several cafe beignets around the french quarter. Happened to be walking by this one at 8am. No wait to order and still plenty of seats. Got the chocolate strawberry beignets and a hot chocolate. 3 beignets is a lot. While delicious I could not finish all. It comes with a strawberry syrup/preserve. Both with just the chocolate drizzle and powdered sugar adding the syrup to the second one was just as good. The hot chocolate was a different story. While nice for the chilly walk in the morning (as other than the cafes nothing else in the quarter really opens until 10am) it has the same spoiled/burnt milk taste that Starbucks hot chocolate has. Not a fan. Go with the cafe au lait if you like coffee.

This is Café Beignet, and honestly it was the one of the second best beignets I've tried in NOLA (loved Loretta's). We went fairly early and there were no lines, which made the experience even better. Hot, fresh beignets covered in powdered sugar and perfectly fluffy inside, I still dream about these. The vibe was relaxed and welcoming, and it felt like the perfect stop to slow down and enjoy New Orleans without the chaos. If you're debating where to get beignets, this is the spot. I'd come back here again and again without hesitation.

A friend and I came here our last morning in New Orleans in December 2025. We'd been to Cafe du Monde twice and wanted one last plate of beignets before we went. But there was a Christmas parade between us and Cafe du Monde -- we could see it across the narrow street, but weren't sure we should push in. So a great time to try another beignet spot! Unlike Cafe du Monde, Cafe Beignet accepts credit, also you order at the register and pick up your coffee at the counter, but they bring your beignets to you once they're done. They offered a few types of special topped beignets (IIRC, which I may not, choc, strawberry, and pecan?), but the cashier told us the original untopped ones were actually the best. We only ate here once, and the beignets were probably twice the size of Cafe du Monde's! I don't usually like powdered sugar, but despite that I've probably imprinted on CdM's profligate use of powdered sugar, bc I kinda though Cafe Beignet had too little? But the biggest issue is I felt their beignets were a bit underdone and still doughy, which I personally didn't like. But maybe that's bc they're so large? The price is highly comparable to CdM -- roughly $17 pre-tip for 2 large cafe au lait and an order or 3 beignets, but the beignets were HUGE. The cafe au lait were pretty good -- worth mentioning as quite nice restaurants in New Orleans have frankly terrible coffee, seriously so much worse than the Keurig's coffee you get for free in your hotel room (if you do in fact get that), how is it possible to make such good food and such terrible coffee?? I don't understand it -- but maybe only order cafe au lait and not coffee in New Orleans? Bc the cafe au lait is very enjoyable. If I came again, I'd ask if they would fry the beignets a bit longer and use more sugar! We always tip, so hopefully that'd be okay.

I ducked into Café Beignet on my last morning before heading out of town and sure glad I did. This local spot has a cute little Parisian bistro feel to it. The chairs and tables and décor give a charming feel. The staff matches the charm with their smiles and superb service. I got the Cajun Hashbrowns, WOW. This creation filled me up for a long day of traveling. The combination of flavors from the andouille sausage, potatoes, eggs and baguette, made for the perfect taste to bid farewell to the Big Easy. If you find yourself in the French Quarter, head on over to Café Beignet, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

Can't come to NOLA without stopping here. We were in town for the Sugar Bowl. We walked around to see if we could find a spot with a short line. Service was fast and the perfect snack for a sunny day. We didn't order anything but beignets but their menu had lots to choose from

I like a good beignet... who doesn't. And while we (like so many other tourists) almost always make an obligatory visit to Cafe Du Monde, but on this one trip we stayed at the Hotel Monteleone and Cafe Beignet was just one bock away. I typically grab my wife coffee and sometimes a little breakfast treat before she wakes (I'm quite the early riser). Of course I could've picked up coffee anywhere but every time we pass by Cafe Beignet on any of our many trips to NOLA, this place is adorable. It also always has a steady crowd of people and looking in has this amazing artistic perspective (geometric view). The colors and the little details do make Cafe Beignet so appealing and warm. She was pleasantly surprised and since then we've not really bothered with the craziness of Cafe Du Monde on Decatur (though I still love the one at City Park). The coffee is decent and the beignets are excellent. Interesting little tidbit, my wife and I married at Antoine's Restaurant and before the main event, our photographer took my wife and I to take many photographs along Royal Street in front of many local businesses and inside a few like Keil's Antiques and the Carousel Bar and then a Second Line parade passed and we got the most amazing pictures combining people from the Second Line celebration with us at the entrance to Cafe Beignet. Such a great memory.

Cafe Beignet was such a pleasant place to have breakfast! We came right at opening time. The staff was friendly and welcoming. I loved the open feel of the restaurant. There were even little birds flying around outside the cute outdoor seating. My meal was really good . I had eggs and toast and bacon with a yummy jam. I also ordered a fruit cup and orange juice. It was so nice!

Holy Charm! While waiting for our hotel room to be ready, we went to Café Beignet on Royal Street after it was highly recommended by one of the front desk receptionists at our hotel. From the moment we walked in, I knew this place was special. We were told it was the original location, and I was glad we went to this location. I wandered out a small side door and found a lovely table in the shaded courtyard that belongs to the café. It was peaceful and picturesque, the kind of spot you could easily spend an afternoon in. My husband went inside to order us beignets and coffee. Unfortunately, I quickly realized the coffee contained chicory, which I'm highly allergic to. After one sip and a quick whiff, I knew I had to stop. That said, the sip I did have was delicious, and I can only compliment it based on that brief taste. I won't deduct stars for something that's entirely my own allergy. lol The beignets, however, were fantastic, perfectly light, warm, and dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar. If I lived here, this would absolutely be a place I'd come to work with my laptop or relax, though I'd bring my own coffee and stay for the food and atmosphere.

Big huge fluffy beignets. One of the girls picked up a whole bagful of them for us in the morning and each of us were only able to eat about half of one. Not because of small appetite but because they're so so big. Kept us fed for a solid couple of days honestly

Cafe Beignet is my FAVORITE beignet spot in NoLa! Now listen, yes, is it my first time visiting? Yes. Is it my first time eating a beignet? But hey, they were bigger, fluffier, tastier, and sweeter than all the other ones I tried. I give these a 10/10 also, the ambiance of this cute cafe was **chef's kiss** and the service was fast! They are very nice here at Cafe Beignet.

Had to stop by and get some beignets to compare you know, for science. Some of the freshest and hottest we had gotten out of a few places. Larger than other spots as well. Got helped quickly and enjoyed on their cute patio.

THIS is where you want to go for the most delicious, pillowy, and hearty beignets in New Orleans. Their indoor and outdoor seating areas are incredibly charming. Even with a line, the ordering and service is quick and easy. I ate here twice in a weekend trip, which I almost NEVER do. The beignets are THAT GOOD, folks. Better than...you know whose.

I love visiting this location due to it being within the French Quarter on the ever so iconic Royal Street. Great location! Of course only street parking is avaliable. This location has descent inside and outside courtyard styled seating. In my opinion they have the absolute best beignets! Always hot and fresh when ordered! I recently tried their gumbo they offer and it got the job done.

Stopped in for a late night snack. Great Decor and Clean Bathrooms. There was quite a line for ordering and the line went quick. But be prepared to wait because they fry them hot and fresh! They were huge pillows of divinity. The only downside...avoid the frozen hurricanes. They tasted like cough medicine

Great little spot! I love the decor! The beignets are huge! My husband and I shared an order of the pecan and caramel ones. We opted to have the pecans and caramel on the side. The beignets were cooked to order! Piping hot when they came out! The inside was nice and thick! The caramel and pecans added were a great compliment! It would be even better if this was stuffed inside! There is a cute outside courtyard as well. Friendly and quick service! I will definitely return.

Gave Cafe Beignet a try and wasn't disappointed. This location is convenient and had lots of sitting insides but can easily fill up. You order first and the servers will bring you your order to your table besides the coffee, which you will need to grab from the counter. I got the jambalaya and it was surprisingly really good with the hot sauce they have. For $13.50 though, I wish the portion was a bit bigger. It was a tiny cup size that didn't fill me up but it was decent jambalaya given it's a beignet shop. We got the original beignets with powdered sugar and it came out piping hot. The inside was thick and dense but outside was soft and pillowy. Overall, can't compare to other beignets but thought it was worth the try especially if there's no line. For $4.75 for three beignets, I thought it was worth it.

We had to try Cafe Beignets before leaving New Orleans, since we also tried the other place as well. This bakery was harder to find parking on the street, and there is outside seating but not visible from the street. The beignets were good, and I enjoyed them, but they were a little doughy.

These beignets could have been dressed up a bit more than just a dusting of powdered sugar, but they were warm, soft, and definitely satisfied my carb cravings. I wish I had ordered an iced latte to accompany them, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Surprisingly, they were twice the size I expected them to be (3x4ish inches) and more doughy than fluffy. Personally, I think beignets are overhyped but it was worth trying.

This review is for their beignets. They are to die for! I had it everyday while I was in town. It's so fluffy and not too heavy nor sweet, even with the chocolate syrup. This is actually one of the things I missed most when I returned home. We just can't get good beignets back home!

I had a great time listening to great music while stuffing my face with those delicious beignets. They were a little heavy for me but still good. The staff was fantastic with excellent hospitality.

We came for a quick breakfast on Thanksgiving day. There was a line of about 20 people to order but we were able to get a table to sit. The tables are just super small. Our food came out maybe 25 minutes later and was a bit cold but was tasty. I got the andouille hashbrowns with eggs and would order again. The coffee wasn't very good but I'm also not really a big fan of drip coffee.

If you visit NOLA, you must enjoy beignets, even if only once (unless you are gluten-sensitive or are lucky enough to find a place that offers them gluten-free, which I haven't seen yet). If you're looking for beignets, visiting a place that calls itself Café Beignet should fit the bill, and you'll find more than I did when I went to the location on Royal Street in the French Quarter. The tunnel-like interior is wicked cool and has plenty of seating both inside and outside in the courtyard. They have a splendid array of different pastry items, such as their eclairs, that look marvelous. But I was there for three things: beignets, a breakfast sandwich, and an iced coffee. I accomplished all obtaining all three items. The line wasn't too bad for the mid-morning crowd. We waited a few minutes, but we could place our orders without too much fuss. Since most of the tables were already taken inside, we grabbed a table in the courtyard, as I had a breakfast sandwich and a box of three beignets so placement was pivotal. The breakfast sandwich had a gorgeous mouthfeel of the omelette style egg with bacon and cheese on a fresh croissant. The iced coffee was on point and hit the spot. The beignets were bonafide. Very satisfying with the powdered sugar and filling. If you are in the Quarter, it's a good spot to get your beignet fix, as well as a breakfast sandwich.

I know they have multiple locations but this one is just so cute and charming. There's indoor seating and outdoor patio options. We had beignets here almost every day of our trip and they were honestly one of the best I've had in NOLA! They're just so fluffy and clearly freshly made. Served warm and melt in your mouth. I also tried their muffuletta and it was delicious as well. I'd love to come back and try some other things on my next visit. Highly recommend trying this place out!

We were shopping at an antique store and the owner told us about Cafe Beignet, which was a couple of doors down. Everything was delicious and we chose to eat outside in the courtyard.

Only tried the beignets and coffee but it was fantastic. Really good beignets and great service. The beignets got to my table before I did. The vibes here are also very chill.

Well, it's been 13 years since I was here and hoping things had improved ... plus, they're the only one open at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Well, they may have improved, but not by much. I should've read my last review and tried something different. But, the hash brown breakfast was the only thing that looked appealing at the time. When it came this time, at least it was hot and fresh. The potatoes were crispy, the sausage (while rather minuscule) had good flavor. And, of course, the scrambled eggs were good. The cheeky, toasted French baguette? ...yah.... just the same dry, stale bread I remember from the last time. Oh well, again, they were the only place open and I did get good coffee so I can live with that. Prices are about the same as anywhere else in this tourist-centered part of town. Service was rather cold and hurried. You have to know what you want when you come in and then find a seat. The inside dining is nice and clean and bright and there's additional seating (on rather uncomfortable chairs) outside. All-in-all, I've learned my lesson ... twice. Think I'll just sleep in and move on.

I tried all the flavors available at this café None of them disappointed me They were all so fresh and all had a nice little crisp outside and fluff inside

Chaotic I can't leave Nola without beignets and this place was walking distance from my hotel. The lines are pretty long and the food comes out sporadically although you have a number. These beignets are a little bigger than I'm use two but they were decent and wallet friendly. If you're near the quarters have time to wait and want a fix this place might be for you.

Such a cute spot. I love their interior and the aesthetics of this place. The decorations, decor, all of it- you feel like you're in France in a small cafe. If you're looking for drinks I recommend coming here. The beignets I thought were very heavy and bland. But this is a cool spot to come and relax if you're in the area.

Many of us tried this place and agreed it was the best of three popular spots for beignets. See my review of Cafe du monde if interested. Beignets: huge, fluffy, chewy soft with crisp exterior. It's essential to taste them fresh and hot! Three big beignets for less than $5. Service: super quick and no lines around 8-ish on a weekday morning. Space: small space with about ten tables. We took ours to go, but would be good to eat there as well. Highly recommend, if you're able to enjoy them fresh. So good.

Had their tuna sandwich which was pretty good. They have a very romantic patio, seating area. The server came across as very nonchalant and I knowledgeable of the menu items. That's the only down side but I won't this place accountable for everything else was good.

The Beignet and Cafe A Lout were both pretty good. One of the better Beignets in New Orleans. The staff was arguing in front of the customers and weren't particularly friendly.

This place was amazing. My wife and I came here to satisfy our sweet tooth. The beignets came out how, fresh and fluffy. The were very big and full. They also have outside seating as well. We will definitely return!

Adorable little cafe with a cute ambiance & charming courtyard. I will admit I think I liked the ambience better than the food. The beignets and café were very good. My andouille omelette with Cajun hashbrowns was just average. The prices were reasonable. However, the coffee beans or if you're purchasing coffee to go was quite expensive. It was $18 for a bag of powdered sugar beignet flavored coffee beans. On the plus side, they will grind them right there for you. Service was excellent. The people were very friendly and accommodating. It's a great café to stop in for a cup of coffee, but I don't know that I would recommend the food

You can't visit New Orleans without trying a beignet, and Cafe Beignet offers a solid choice. For about $5, you get three nice, fluffy beignets that taste fresh and are definitely a treat. The portion size is generous, though I can't compare it to other spots since this was my first beignet experience. Be warned, no matter how carefully you try to eat them, you'll end up with powdered sugar everywhere. The atmosphere is cozy and cafe-like, perfect for enjoying your beignets with a coffee. If you're looking to avoid the long lines outside some of the other spots, this place is definitely worth checking out.

It's cute and fun, and right next to the Hotel Monteleone. But it's just not in the same league as Cafe Du Monde. I would skip it next time. It's not bad, but there are better spots for beignets. The service was quick and prompt, and everything was clean.

We shared an order of Biegnets and they were delish. Fresh and hot melt in your mouth good.

went on a walking tour of the french quarter and our tour guide told us that cafe du monde was wildly overhyped and cafe beignet was where it was at for the really good beignets. given that i had just tried the beignets at cafe du monde and absolutely loved them, i expected these to be frankly out of this world. unfortunately i really didn't enjoy them as much as the cafe du monde ones! i mean, they're doughy pastries covered in powdered sugar, so there's really not a way to go super wrong, but i ordered one set of them thinking they'd be as light and airy as the cafe du monde beignets. i was hoping to inhale them and then go on a long day of sightseeing. but i could barely finish two of these because they were SO doughy and dense and heavy. they got to me immediately and i was so sleepy a little while after that i had to take a nap at the library in between my sightseeing. i don't like to throw food away but i genuinely felt dread thinking about trying to fit that last beignet in my stomach. the sugary part is great, but if you're not too hungry and you're alone, order with caution!

Cute little place situated within a courtyard. The beignets were yummy. The staff were friendly and the service was fast!

I think these are really good donuts, not greasy and fresh. Try them when you're in New Orleans..

Yum!!!! Get ready to be blown away, coffee so bold that no cream could lighten it. LOL. Great service and top tier beignets. The vibes were giving us " Frenchie" ...lol

Cafe Beignet was my first choice when I sought out a place to hole up for a bit where I could sip on coffee, nosh on beingets, while get some work done. SPACE: I really dig the vibe here! The wrought iron chairs, tiled floors, and painted murals evoke a certain type of Parisian sidewalk café charm. Had the weather been working more in my favor, there was a large inviting patio adjacent to the restaurant space. The rain kept me inside, which worked out perfectly for knocking out some remote work. SIPS: They offer a variety of coffee and tea beverages. I chose to sip on an iced coconut latte during my visit. It really hit the spot. They serve up the traditional chicory coffee the Big Easy is known for too. SUSTENANCE: So come for the beignets, but stay for the sandwiches. YUM! I decided that I was going to stay through lunch, which meant that my sweet breakfast wasn't going to cut it. I opted for the Breakfast Sandwich (Scrambled egg, bacon, and white cheddar) on a croissant. It was just what I needed to get me through the last bit of my work. They do offer up other plates including traditional NOLA staples like gumbo, jambalaya, muffaletta, and more! SERVICE: Everyone was so nice! They brought out my dishes to my table and ensured that I got me coffees from the counter. It's easy to see why people flock to Cafe Beignet. I'd gladly come back next time I'm in NOLA! **Pro Tip: If you're staying at the Hotel Monteleone the super awesome doormen may have coupons for a free coffee and beignets. Just sayin'... It's absolutely worth making small talk.

You have got to have the infamous beignets when in NOLA, and from about ten places I found this one was the one I chose. They have several different locations but this one on Royal street was in the heart of the action, had a very nice little patio and limited seating inside. That being said, $4 for three rather LARGE beignets were amazing! The amount of powdered sugar used though- was astonishing but they had these beignets coming out piping hot consistently and I now see why. They were very doughy and tasty and extremely filling. But not filling enough that we didn't also eat breakfast because we did and their breakfast was really good! Thankfully the portions were pretty small. I got their cheese omelette with grits and it comes with toasted French bread. Luckily the omelette are about half the size of a regular one. The grits were very savory and better than ones I've had in Atlanta that's for sure. Only thing I did not see was alcohol. And I was not a fan of the coffee. So that was a miss for me and only disappointment, but there's plenty of places outside to find that!

Nice little cafe with very cute decor and little souvenirs you can buy if you wish. We had the beignets which were fresh and delicious with some strawberry on top. Also ordered the crawfish omelette with grits and garlic bread which was a nice savoury brunch. I definitely would recommend coming here if you are in the area.

Good food and better vibes!! Tried the jumbalaya which came with a piece of garlic bread. Portion size was plenty with nice chunks of meat and sausage. Good value for price, self order service where you take a number and they run the food to you. I tried the ice coffee with milk which was very good almost better than most coffee shops. Service is good all staff is attentive and last but not least the live music. Live bands playing jazz music for the Nola experience.

Delicious melt in your mouth beignets!!! Note: We tried both Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet.... Cafe Beignet is WAY better in our option!!

Awesome! Have got to try it Very charming little place. Perfect to stop in and enjoy a coffee and beignets. The beignets are made to order and are to die for. They are also huge. Won't forget it!

Decent coffee and beignets cafe although a bit overpriced. Service and ambience felt corporate, like the small chain that it is

Always make a stop here when visiting New Orleans!! They have delicious beignets and good coffee too!! Love the cute vibe in the place also.

Beignets were excellent. Got the original with powdered sugar. They are fresh and hot. Cafe is cool inside. Right on Royal Street and in a neat location.