Best French Bakery in Lutcher

"It would be impossible and, frankly, gastronomically reckless to visit New Orleans without paying a visit to one of the city’s outposts for its most famous deep-fried treats: beignets. And while the version you can get at any of the Cafe du Monde outposts are golden fried perfection rolled in a generous helping of powdered sugar, there are still some delightful options for when you need to scratch the itch of a craving for some good old traditional donuts. Whether you’re celebrating Mardi Gras, looking for a classic glazed donut to dunk into a hot coffee, or wanting to try something a little more adventurous, New Orleans has you covered."

"You don’t have to look hard to find the original Café du Monde. The open air cafe is located on Decatur St. in the heart of the French Quarter. Our obligatory first stop in New Orleans is always Café Du Monde in the French Quarter."

"Yes there are other places that serve this sweet treat, like Café Beignets. They are cute, but the beignets are not as good."

"Po-boys have always made great outside eats, and Parkway has embraced the alfresco push wholeheartedly by essentially creating an entire outdoor restaurant. Diners can set up at one of Parkway’s plethora of patio tables (tented for rainy days) to down one of the city’s best sandwiches. Hits are too many to count, from exquisitely fried shrimp (make it a surf and turf by adding roast beef and gravy) to hot sausage."

"Parkway is known as a contender for most-loved po’boys in town — especially the always-overflowing shrimp. Pre-pandemic, the line to order wrapped around the entirety of the dining room, but with the addition of a huge outdoor dining area, parking lot pickup, and strict social distancing guidelines, Parkway has worked to establish a comfortable and safe setting for its loyal fans."

"This Bayou St. John po' boy staple is a favorite among locals and tourists in the know. The fried shrimp is a classic, but it's the Thanksgiving po' boy that has locals lining up around the block on Wednesdays in November. Bonus: An excellent Reuben and gumbo."

"A fellow travel friend suggested Willa Jean, as did several of you from our online communities on Facebook and Instagram, and our first breakfast experience in New Orleans didn’t disappoint. When you first enter, if you can get your kids to walk past the counter display of fresh bakery treats then grab a table in the cafe area and order off the menu. Our kids ordered what I think was the thickest avocado on toast we have ever seen, whilst we went with a colorful and healthy quinoa bowl (quinoa + farro + white beans + avocado)."

"This historic hideaway, named of Monaco’s first American princess, this totally romantic wedding venue in the French Quarter will steal your heart away; it’s just a sheer spacious 150-year-old courtyard featuring fountains, and lush landscaping with romantic French doors to carry you into your wedded live together forever – unforgettable memories!"

"This French Quarter restaurant has been around for ages and it’s the gorgeous courtyard and good food that keep people coming back. If you’re after a drink and a good meal in a classic Nola setting, Café Amelie is your jam."

"Located in the Lower Garden District, Seed is a modern vegan bistro serving its customers Southern comfort-food classics from grits and grillades (pronounced gree-yhads) to fried tofu po-boys. The best thing about Seed is that non-meat eaters can get a taste of all the traditional New Orleans items like beignets and gumbo. If you’re traveling with folks who don’t appreciate vegan fare, there are plenty of restaurants in the Garden District with meat options."

"In the words of Ernest Hemingway, Seed is a “clean, well-lighted place.” (Hemingway wasn’t talking about Seed, but his direct prose works for one of my favorite places to sit for breakfast). A vegan restaurant that attracts visitors from all around the city, Seed’s breakfast doesn’t leave you feeling anchored to your seat after you finish eating. And those pancakes will outkick your expectation."

"Another local favorite, Satsuma is a hipster-friendly coffeehouse that’s been serving up cold-pressed organic juices, breakfasts, and lunches since 2009. Inspired by a philosophy of making “great food with fresh ingredients in a community-based environment,” this joint offers visitors a set menu, as well one-day special options, all made from scratch. Our advice: If you walk into Satsuma and it has a specialty pancake featured, definitely order it!"

"First opened in 2009, the owners of Satsuma strive to serve healthy, local, organic food to their community. The menu eschews additives, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup in favour of fresh, whole foods. First opened in the Bywater neighbourhood, Satsuma now also has a location in Uptown New Orleans."

"This soft serve chain started five years ago in Sydney, with franchises now in Texas, Virginia and here in New Orleans, the second U.S. location. Aqua S dishes Instagrammable soft serve in flavors like cappuccino, Arnold Palmer, and cotton candy that look and taste just like how they sound. This location is owned by sisters Loan Le and Yen Truong, who fell in love with the place in Houston."

"This outpost of the Australian brand is famed for its creamy, bright-blue, sea-salt soft serve and Instagramable décor begging for selfies. With a library of more than 100 flavors, only a few are offered at a time, and they change every two weeks. A recent favorite—pancake swirled with sea salt—was cool, salty-sweet hominess."

"The Courturie Forest is another gem you can experience in City Park. Located not far from Scout Island, the trails through this park take you away from the manicured lawns and giant oak trees into a much more wild area along a waterway that is full of birds and turtles. Also located in the Couturie Forest is Laborde Mountain."

"Outside of New Orleans East, Couturie is the wildest natural space in the city. A series of paths wind through acres of Louisiana hardwood forest and lead to the highest point in the city: Laborde Mountain, towering at 43 feet over the surrounding park. When to go to New Orleans"

"You may very well hear this tree before you see it: a massive live oak in the middle of City Park. The Singing Oak is an art installation by artist Jim Hart that features wind chimes measuring as long as 14 feet. Part of the charm of The Singing Oak is just finding it."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"The Beauregard -Keyes House museum includes past residents such as Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. The house has elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian façade. It also has twin curved staircases leading to a Tuscan portico."

"You may very well hear this tree before you see it: a massive live oak in the middle of City Park. The Singing Oak is an art installation by artist Jim Hart that features wind chimes measuring as long as 14 feet. Part of the charm of The Singing Oak is just finding it."

"If anyone wants to enjoy a sunrise, Another Broken Egg Cafe can provide the perfect breakfast go with it. Opening at seven in the morning, this restaurant prides itself on its breakfast meals such as their gourmet, handmade omelettes and eggs benedict. In both of its two locations, visitors can enjoy a crisp morning with a high-quality meal in a casual spot."

"126 Lake Drive, Covington, (985) 327-7111; 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 889-1550; www.donsseafoodonline.com. Char-broiled Jacked-Up oysters are topped with bacon, jalapenos and pepper Jack cheese. Reservations accepted for large parties."