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New Orleans coffee in the making. Image by Teresa Pople from Pixabay
Where to drink the best Coffee in New Orleans
New Orleans has long had a reputation for fine food and drink. Coffee recipes are part of this gustatory tradition. At Antoine’s restaurant in the 1890s, Jules Alciatore created Café Brûlot Diabolique, a flaming concoction of coffee, brandy and spices. The drink later became a popular way to disguise alcohol during Prohibition.
Today, New Orleans is the number one coffee port in the country. Tons of green coffee enter the United States through New Orleans. Beans are shipped here from thirty-one coffee-producing countries.
Like the music, cuisine and hard-to-understand accents in New Orleans, the story behind New Orlean’s coffee culture comes from a variety of international influences over the centuries.
Many myths surround the use of chicory in coffee blends. One story holds that the root was accidentally found to be a flavorful additive to coffee as far back as the sixteenth century. For many years it was used to stretch coffee supplies, especially in hard times such as the Civil War.
Within the city, coffee and chicory are consumed in greater quantities than anywhere else. Outside of the city, most coffee drinkers imbibe pure coffee instead.
It’s impossible to deny the long and stronghold New Orleans’ coffee culture has had on the city for the better part of 300 years. Here are the best places to drink coffee in New Orleans.
1. Congregation Coffee
Photo by Denys Gromov Photo from Pexels
While Congregation opened in the CBD space vacated by Pulp and Grind in 2019, its home is in the heart of Algiers Point, so hop on the ferry and head over.
While you’ll likely get distracted by the roasting that takes place in the back of the shop, make sure to pay attention to the food menu.
Additionally, they are the exclusive coffee roaster for many of the best restaurants in the city. They offer bags of small-batch roasted coffee as well as cute merchandise.
240 Pelican Ave, New Orleans, LA 70114
(504) 265-0194
Mon-Sun 8am-2pm
2. Cherry Coffee Roasters
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Modern cafe for high-end espresso drinks & light bites in rustic-industrial surrounds.
After gaining a following with her pop-up run inside of Stein’s Deli, local barista Lauren Fink opened the Cherry Coffee shop on Laurel in 2016, now an Uptown favourite and a second shop two years later.
She’s also since launched her own local roasting operation, but still sometimes features guest roasters.
4877 Laurel St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 875-3699
Mon – Thu 6:45am-3pm Fri – Sun 7am-5pm
3. Baldwin and Company
Baldwin & Co. is like one of those incredible neighbourhood bookstores that you see in movies brought to life. Incredible space comfortable and artistic — delicious drinks you could sip on all day, and such a great selection of titles.
Order your drink/pastry (while they last) near the entrance, grab a book and head outside to the spacious patio or take a seat inside at one of the tables or seating areas and get comfy.
The espresso and cappuccinos are excellent, but if you want an extra treat, try one of their speciality drinks — Go Tell It on the Mountain has a not-too-sweet blend of cardamom and vanilla
A new independent bookstore that serves coffee and tasty treats opened in New Orleans on February 20th 2021. There’s even a podcast studio, to help the many creatives in the city! The coffee will also make this spot your new favorite NOLA obsession.
1030 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
(504) 354-1741
Mon – Thu 7am-6pm
4. French Truck Coffee
French Truck Coffee in New Orleans. Image by Infrogmation of New Orleans from Wikimedia
French Truck Coffee’s name and logo were inspired by miniature Citroën trucks used to deliver coffee to local restaurants and markets.
French Truck Coffee bridges the gap between traditional chicory coffee and third-wave coffee with its special blend of roasted Colombian and Brazilian beans with French chicory added after roasting.
But don’t rule out French Truck Coffee for speciality coffee drinks.
You won’t have trouble finding a French Truck location in New Orleans thanks to the cafe’s yellow and blue colour palette. You also won’t have trouble drinking locally roasted beans sourced from countries like Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia and Peru.
1200 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 298-1115
Mon – Thu 7am-6pm Sat – Sun 8am-6pm
5. Coffee Science
Coffee science in New Orleans. Image by Infrogmation of New Orleans from Wikimedia
Coffee Science has coffee down to a, well, science!
This coffee shop is run by a New Orleans coffee professional who crafts speciality coffee through understanding how brewing really works.
It is home to a wide range of signature drinks, with the Espresso Nebula being one of the most popular picks.
Coffee Science supports the local community through farm-to-table groceries, helping out local farmers as well.
410 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 814-0878
Sun – Wed 7am-9pm Thu – Sat 7am-9pm Sunday 7am-5pm
6. Cafe bon Ami
Reading while drinking coffee in New Orleans. Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay
The best coffee shop in New Orleans for a place to work/study with a clean, minimalist design
Cafe Bon Ami is relatively new to the New Orleans coffee shop scene. You will like it for its minimalist design, friendly service and one of the best flat whites and americanos.
They serve locally made pastries from Compagnon and Gracious Bakery and the espresso quality is excellent.
There’s a cozy little nook in the back that was a money vault back in the day. It’s a perfect space to work or have a quiet meeting.
Their WiFi is fast and reliable.
822 Perdido St e, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 962-7374
Mon – Fri 7am-2pm Sat-Sun 8am-Midnight
7. Backatown Coffee Parlour
coffee parlour menu board in New Orleans. Photo by Daria Shevtsova: Pexels
Backatown Coffee Parlour is a black-owned coffee shop in our guide. It’s also the only coffee shop located in Storyville and the only coffee shop that serves both sweet potato pie and crawfish quiche.
Located between the French Quarter and Tremé, this comfortable cafe has a friendly, vaulted space and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating ideal for relaxing with friends or pulling out a laptop.
Free Wi-Fi and jazz music are icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, Backatown Coffee Parlour serves that too.
We recommend this cafe for its tasty treats and convivial atmosphere.
301 Basin St Suite 1, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 372-4442
Mon – Fri 8am-3pm
8. Mammoth Espresso
coffee with matcha Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV: Pexels
One of the best coffee shops in New Orleans for a legit flat white and a nice selection of high-quality teas
This small New Orleans coffee shop is located in the heart of the Warehouse District. Mammoth Espresso offers craft espresso drinks in a contemporary and bright space.
They also offer breakfast tacos and specialty treats that change depending on the season or day.
Try the “sweet little thing” which is an espresso cold shaken with vanilla and cream and topped with a dash of cocktail bitters. The “golden latte” is another popular pick at this New Orleans coffee shop.
821 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 475-4344
Mon – Fri 7am-5pm Sat – Sun 7am-3pm
9. Church Alley Coffee Bar
Iced Coffee serving in New Orleans. Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay
Church Alley is a fine coffee bar dedicated to excellence and simplicity in coffee, food, and community.
Church Alley Coffee Bar serves up freshly roasted, freshly brewed coffee from some of the most talented coffee roasters in the nation.
They specialize in the hand brewing with options of both Chemex and Hario V60. They offer a small food menu rooted in simple healthy dishes with as many local ingredients as possible.
Church Alley is a charming community-driven cafe in Mid City, one that consistently shows up in a big way for its neighborhood.
4201 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 304-6306
Mon – Fri 7:30am-2pm
10. Lovage at the Ace Hotel
Photo by Omar Rodriguez: Pexels
One of the best coffee shops in New Orleans for a nitro cold brew and plenty of space to spread out.
It’s connected to the Ace Hotel, so you can take your coffee into their cozy lounge area.
Stumptown fans will appreciate their selection of Stumptown branded coffee including the nitro cold brew . This actually used to be a branded Stumptown coffee shop, but recently changed to Lovage.
Lovage seems to be a popular spot for remote workers as there’s plenty of table space both on the cafe side and the connected Ace Hotel lounge.
You’ll love their brass custom Mod Bar if pour overs are your thing. A small but delicious pastry selection arrives fresh daily.
610 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 930-3064
Mon – Fri 7am-9pm
In conclusion, try this historical New Orleans coffee recipe
- Antoine’s Café Brûlot Diabolique (Devilishly Burned Coffee)
developed by Jules Alciatore in 1890s2 sticks cinnamon
8 whole cloves
peel of 1 lemon
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3 ounces brandy
3 cups of strong black coffeePut the cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, sugar, and brandy in a fireproof bowl and heat on an open flame. When the brandy is hot, but not boiling, bring the bowl to the table and ignite with a match. Use a ladle to stir and pour the liquid around the bowl for 2 minutes. Pour the hot coffee into the flaming brandy and ladle the mixture into demitasse cups.Courtesy of Roy R. Guste, Proprietor of Antoine’s
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