Indulge Yourself with a French Quarter Treat! Spotlight on Café Biegnet

November 01, 2019
Beignets (pronounced “BEN-yays”) are the official state doughnut of Louisiana, and for good reason! An iconic French Quarter breakfast or treat brought to Louisiana by the Acadians, locals and visitors love these French-inspired, perfectly-fried “fluffy little pillows” dusted with powdered sugar. Treat yourself special and order some with cafe au lait, which is equal parts strong coffee and warm milk.

Café Beignet offers a quintessential French bistro vibe in vintage New Orleans settings. Their 334 Royal St. location is a converted 1840s carriage house with an accompanying tropical courtyard. Café Beignet at 311 Bourbon Street is an all outdoor courtyard café with a full patio bar in Musical Legends Park. The 600 Decatur Street location sits near the river and the Steamboat Natchez. It has a beautiful mahogany bar and large French windows, a perfect place for people watching just out of the hustle and bustle of the Quarter. All locations offer live jazz, breakfast all day, and are pet-friendly.

Their latest location at 714 St. Peter Street is in the same place as the iconic Old Coffee Pot Restaurant which was in operation since 1894. The old building dates to 1829 and was once a town house. Next door are the famous Pat O’Brien’s Bar and Preservation Hall. The new owners have completely renovated the building and brought back the essence and beauty from its former days. In the generation of our parents and grandparents, anyone who lived or worked in the Quarter went to the Old Coffee Pot.

Along with the lighter and fluffier than usual beignets, Café Beignet at the Old Coffee Pot has brought back an old New Orleans staple dish, calas. The Old Coffee Pot was one of the few places left that sold calas and it is rare to find it on a menu these days. These crispy fried rice fritters that originate in Africa are dusted with powdered sugar and served hot. With hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, it makes for a sweet and savory treat that’s even better with syrup on top!