Best French Bakery in French Quarter

"Beignet’s are the official state donut of Louisiana so the best place to start your New Orleans foodie bucket list would be with a taste of this French-style pastry. A beignet is a French donut that is traditionally fried and topped with powdered sugar. And yes, they are essentially the same as a regular donut but with a more doughy texture."

"Its menu consists of dark roasted Coffee and Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh squeezed Orange Juice. The coffee is served Black or Au Lait. Au Lait means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk."

"No visit to New Orleans is complete without a chicory-laced café au lait paired with the addictive, sugar-dusted beignets at this venerable...Read More"

"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 Mid-City po'boy purveyor has been a favorite for decades, featuring affordable drinks and some of the best po'boys around town. Proudly local and full of characters, the eatery was made extra-famous by a visit from then President Obama, and has been featured on a variety of TV shows. While waiting for your sandwich, peruse the memorabilia and pictures that adorn the walls."

"Run by Pastry Chef Kelly Fields of Besh Restaurant Group and Pastry Chef Lisa White, Willa Jean is a retro-chick cafe and restaurant serving Southern-contemporary fare, baked goods, freshly brewed coffee, and specialty cocktails. This brick-walled hotspot, opening its doors at 7 a.m. every day, is ideal for those looking to experience flavors that are indigenous to the Port City."

"Willa Jean is one of the most talked about restaurants in New Orleans. With fresh ingredients, a Southern-rustic feel, and all around great food, it is a go-to for many. Their twist on the classic milk and cookies is delicious."

"Central Business District's Willa Jean, located at 611 O'Keefe Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the bakery, breakfast and brunch and Southern spot 4.5 stars out of 1,353 reviews."

"Settle down in this 150-year-old courtyard with lush landscaping for a relaxing bite and a glass of wine (or three). The historic space boasts a romantic ambiance that not even a child in tow can completely ruin. (If the weather isn’t cooperating, the Carriage House offers a rustic alternative.)."

"Nice weather calls for alfresco dining at this cute courtyard, French Quarter restaurant. Share bites of slow-cooked spiced lamb shank and Atlantic salmon with fingerling potatoes and horseradish cream. And save room for doberge cake after!"

"Highway 190, Suite 5, Covington, (985) 893-1488; 22022 Marshall Road, Mandeville, (985) 898-2444; www.nonnaskingcakes.com. A verdura cotta panino includes grilled zucchini, squash, eggplant, mushrooms, red pepper, crumbled feta and salsa on baked bread."

"If you’re looking for vegan gumbo, then this place is for you. Wonder the back alley’s of the French Quarter and you’ll find this vegan-friendly gem. If you’re not feeling the gumbo, then you have to try their vegan burgers!"

"All meals are made to order, and the restaurant delivers, too!. Featured vegan items include gumbo, pancakes, meatless apple sausage, and apple patties."

"Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Ave., (504) 287-0877; www.terrazu.net. A Terrazu Scoop salad features chicken, tuna or shrimp salad over mixed greens, red onion, tomato and cucumber."

"And with delicious food options like the Mexican food at Juan’s Flying Burritos and the sweets at Sucre, Magazine Street has plenty of places to relax and refuel. Alternatively, take the St. Charles streetcar back towards the French Quarter, getting off at Lee Circle in the Central Business District to visit NOLA’s top-rated WWII Museum on the other end of Magazine Street."

"Sucré opened a couple of years after Katrina swept through a bustling stretch of Magazine Street not far from the Garden District. It quickly established itself as the city’s premier destination for chocolates, macarons, gelato, and,..."

"Spa Aria envelops you like the warmth of a summer evening in New Orleans. From the soft glow of candles to the infusion of fragrance, Aria transcends you to a place of repose. Whether it’s your head or your toes or your entire body that needs soothing, their gifted staff will guide each guest through a satisfying journey."

"From aromatics to soft candlelight, you’ll be instantly lulled into peacefulness when you enter. Using quality products, expert hands will smooth out all tension and relax stressed muscles. Book a facial and a massage."

"Voted one of the top 10 coziest spas in the country by Travel and Leisure, Belladonna is a charming, small scale day spa with lots of personal flair. Locally owned and operated, the spa offers a creative menu of services, from the Be Bamboozled zen body retreat bath, salt scrub, and full body massage to the New Orleans appropriate Be Detoxed seaweed purifying wrap and cleanse. The multi-service packages are well priced."

"Woodhouse Day Spa is New Orleans’ ultimate, full service, luxury day spa. Offers a tranquil, transformational environment that’s both memorable and healthful. From beginning to end, their dedicated spa team ensures that your visit enhances your well-being."

"Consistently voted Best of New Orleans, Belladonna Day Spa & Retail Therapy is located in the Garden District at 2900 Magazine Street."

"If you like arts and culture, you might enjoy a trip to the New Orleans Museum of Arts aka NOMA. Here you’ll find art work from famous artists like Picasso, Joan Miro, Georgia O’ Keffe, and also some local Louisiana artists. The art exhibition are divided into arts from different regions of the world. NOMA has a nice cafe, a cute garden to enjoy a picnic and a lake behind to kayak."

"Get your dose of nature at one of New Orleans’ two large parks.City Park is larger than Central Park in New York and is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as several gardens.Audubon Parkboasts the Audubon Zoo and is easily accessible by street car. Either way, both are excellent options for a relaxing afternoon."

"It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"The Historic New Orleans Collection is set on a handsome campus in the heart of the French Quarter. Some of the 10 buildings on the property date back to the late 18th-century; archaeological digs have uncovered remnants of barracks that date as far back at 1720. Focusing on the history and culture of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf South, the collection highlights subjects the War of 1812, Tennessee Williams, and jazz."

"18th century home of Jean Francois Merieult|© Marla Holden / Alamy. General L. Kemper Williams and Leila Moore Williams founded the Historic New Orleans Collection to showcase their various Louisiana artefacts, with the aim to preserve local history. Several historic buildings stand near the institution, with each housing more than three centuries-worth of items."

"Local music fans, neighborhood drinkers, and curious tourists all come to see one of the city's favorite sons, Kermit Ruffins, in action at his namesake bar. Inside has the feeling of a tricked-out family basement, but with Mardi Gras colored tiling. The drinks are cheap, the food is (often) free, and the music flows like the lifeblood of the Seventh Ward."

"Before visiting New Orleans for the third time last fall, I binge-watched the HBO series Treme on Amazon Prime. The show is named after the neighborhood north of the French Quarter, where jazz music was born in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Several of the lead characters are musicians; viewers are treated to a lot of terrific music."

"Are you looking for a great place to watch live entertainment around New Orleans, Louisiana?. If so, you should head on over to Kermit's Treme Mother in Law..."