Café du Monde is the place to be

New Orleans, Louisiana’s Café du Monde is a True Landmark to Locals and a Tourist Attraction to Others.

I am from a little town south of New Orleans called Larose Louisiana. I lived there for about 12 years, then moved to Minnesota when I was 13. The place I always find myself at when I am visiting home, would have to be Café du Monde.

Café du Monde will have you waiting in line for hours when the business is at their busiest time of day. The café is also open 24 hours a day seven days a week. When waiting in line it was a good idea to get to know who you’re standing by because if they are from New Orleans, they will let you know the best things on the menu.

Café du Monde at a nighttime setting.

One of the first times I had ever been to New Orleans was with my Sister-in-law. She brought me all around the French Quarter and it is still one of the most memorable days I have. We ended the day at Café du Monde, and it took almost an hour to get served. Once we finally got into the building and to the counter to order, she ordered a coffee, and I got a hot chocolate (being I was 11 at the time) and we both got some beignets to share.

The coffee served at Café du Monde is not your typical blend of coffee. I learned that the next time I visited and was old enough to have my own. The blend is called Chicory Coffee. It is made by roasting the chicory root and blending it into coffee. Some say that it tastes like coffee, but also has an off taste to it describing it as “woody” or “nutty”.

The sweet treat served at the café is known as a Beignet. It is fried dough with butter and powdered sugar on top. Café du Monde sells thousands of these a day because that’s what most people go there for. People travel from around the world to try them.

A cup of Chicory coffee and Beignets on the table at the café.

The Café has been there since 1862 and it is just as popular as it was when it opened. When the Creoles created the chicory coffee during the American Civil war because there was a coffee shortage and it seemed like everyone wanted to try it.

The beignets are still the only thing at Café du Monde and the French Quarter that hasn’t changed. The recipe has been the same since the restaurant opened and the recipe will never change.

Visiting back home to Larose Louisiana also has its perks with the food. Lots of people even make their own homemade beignets by buying dough from the store and frying it up.

Café du Monde has a limited menu that has only changed a little over the years since it’s been open. The menu consists of dark roast chicory coffee that can be made four ways, beignets, hot chocolate, and cold drinks such as pop, orange juice, water, and milk. The menu is limited because customers only go there for their specific menu items and the owners and founders don’t feel their business needs any changes.

Café du Monde is in the New Orleans French Quarter which is also a big tourist area with lots to offer. The French Quarter has many different restaurants and bars along with jazz clubs and the French Market. Many people have stated that after a long night out on New Orleans popular Bourbon Street, that it is nice to have a sweet treat and coffee open all night.

New Orleans French Quarter in all its glory.

If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, make sure you take the time to experience the culture you’re in. I’ve never been in another place that I can come close to comparing it to New Orleans. Take the time to get the coffee and snacks you haven’t tried before. Take time to listen to the great music around you. Take time to eat the great food they have to offer because they work so hard to keep their city a place where people want to keep coming. New Orleans is something everyone should experience.