Café de Monde
A New Orleans Tradition

Every time I have been in New Orleans, I have made it a point to have breakfast at Café du Monde at least once. This historic outdoor restaurant located at the upper end of the French Market was established in 1862. The restaurant is open 24 hours a day, but the busiest time is breakfast when long lines form and extend along Decatur Street.

There is really no need to look at a menu. Everyone is there for the same thing.
The restaurant is known for its café au lait and its French style beignets. In the New Orleans style, the coffee is blended with chicory. There is powdered sugar everywhere and if for any reason, you are not into coffee, the hot chocolate is excellent. By all means, bring the children and do not be in a hurry. If you are there for breakfast, you will have to wait but it is not for long and it is well worth it.

Café du Monde opened two other locations in shopping malls in the late 1980’s. These are particularly popular with the locals and are thriving. Additional locations in Atlanta, Georgia and Sarasota, Florida have been closed. Café du Monde locations can also be found throughout Japan. I guess a number of the Japanese tourists in New Orleans knew what they liked and decided to take it home.
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The café is rarely closed except for Christmas Day. It also closes when a hurricane passes too close to New Orleans because it operates in a completely open-air location. It was closed for two months after Hurricane Katrina although the restaurant suffered only minor damage. The owners took advantage of the time to refurbish the eating areas and kitchens.

Café du Monde is a place that I know I can return to each time I visit the city of New Orleans and it will not change its menu or the quality of its offerings. Not many things remain the same, but the Café du Monde seems to be the exception to the rule.

Contact information: Cafedumonde.com.