Beignet Battle: Café du Monde vs. Beignet Café – Our Take on NOLA’s Famous Treat

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New Orleans is known for many things—jazz, Mardi Gras, Creole cuisine—but one of its sweetest claims to fame? Beignets! We couldn’t leave without trying this deep-fried, powdered-sugar-dusted pastry, so we decided to compare two of the city’s most talked-about spots: Café du Monde and Beignet Café.

(Photo: Original Cafe du Monde! We went at 10 pm and this place was packed! Opened until midnight.)


(Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.) 

(Photo: Nice cozy place inside Cafe Beignet, out of the cold.)


Beignet Café – A Cozy First Try

Our first attempt at Café du Monde didn’t quite go as planned (more on that later), so our first actual beignet experience was at Beignet Café. We chose it because of its good Google reviews and the promise of live music, plus we were looking for a warm indoor spot since the chilly night air wasn’t ideal for outdoor dining.

Beignet Café had a charming attempt at a French-meets-New-Orleans vibe, with a cozy bar and a menu offering a variety of beignet options. We went with the chocolate-drizzled beignets and a bowl of gumbo.

The Beignets:

  • Not piping hot, but still warm.
  • Nice outer crunch with a slightly chewy center.
  • Good, but not amazing—we were expecting something more mind-blowing.
  • Powdered sugar everywhere—even on the waiters delivering them!

The Gumbo:

  • A bit too salty for our taste.
  • Served in a plastic bowl, which took away from the experience.
  • The accompanying bread wasn’t impressive.
  • At $14 for the portion, it felt a little overpriced.

One disappointment? No live music. Instead, there was an automated piano playing pop song covers, which didn’t quite deliver the New Orleans atmosphere we were hoping for. Verdict? Decent spot for a quick beignet fix, but not a must-visit. (Full Google review with photos here.)




Café du Monde – The Icon Lives Up to the Hype!

The next morning, we gave Café du Monde another shot—this time at its mall location (the first Café du Monde to open indoors). We thought getting there at 9:30 AM for a 10 AM opening would put us ahead of the crowd, but we were wrong! The place was already buzzing, with families filling up tables and staff casually enjoying their own beignets before the rush began.

By 9:50 AM, a line had officially formed—stretching five stores down! But once they opened, service was fast and efficient.

The Beignets:
✔ Perfect crunch on the outside
✔ Soft, chewy inside that balanced the crispiness
✔ The powdered sugar explosion – breathe wrong, and you’ll be wearing it!
✔ Absolutely delicious!

Paired with a cup of old-school coffee, it was the perfect combination of simple, classic, and unbelievably tasty. This was the beignet experience we were craving! (Our Google review with photos here)

Final Verdict? Café du Monde Wins!

No contest—Café du Monde was the clear winner. It lived up to the legend, and we’d happily wait in line again for another bite of those fluffy, sugar-coated clouds. (You can even get the mix on Amazon. Don't forget the coffee!) Beignet Café was a nice backup option, but if you’re visiting New Orleans and only have time for one stop, make it Café du Monde!

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to find a way to recreate these at home (or book another trip back to NOLA just for the beignets!).

Have you tried beignets in New Orleans? Do you have a favorite spot? Let us know in the comments!


Location: New Orleans, LA, USA

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