5 Best Breakfast Spots in New Orleans
Hello everyone, my name is Greg Heard and I'm excited to have the opportunity to share my foodie/travel experiences here on LAYOP.com I currently reside in Las Vegas but have lived in Cincinnati, OH, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA. My work has also allowed me to travel to Toronto, Houston, Detroit, Pittsburgh & New Orleans. Currently, I am working in New Orleans for the past 10 years and have had the wonderful opportunity to explore the city. Below are the 5 breakfast options that I would recommend above any other - in no particular order.
1. Willa Jean
Personal Recommendations: Fried Chicken Biscuit, Braised Biscuit Hash
Pastry Chef Kelly Fields and Pastry Chef Lisa White are collaborators in the bakery and restaurant, which is named after Fields’ grandmother.
The bakery adds a modern and elegant touch to iconic southern food we all know and love. The bakery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, allowing the two chefs to show off their savory sides. Willa Jean also offers composed desserts, breads and pastries.
Open: Sunday through Thursday- 7am-9pm; Friday and Saturday- 7am to 10pm Willa Jean Facebook Page
2. Palace Cafe
Personal Recommendations: Pecan Trout, Bananas Foster, French Toast
For two decades this classic New Orleans restaurant, located at the foot of the French Quarter, serves contemporary Creole food in an upbeat and lively grand café.
Food, service and the atmosphere are consistently excellent, and it's open every day. Palace Cafe is the birthplace of Banana's Foster. A beautiful restaurant with two levels of dining, bars & outdoor seating.
Open: Lunch (Monday - Saturday) Dinner (Daily) Brunch (Sunday) Palace Cafe Facebook
3. Ruby Slipper
Personal Recommendations: Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes!
Bringing New Orleans flair to southern breakfast standards, brunch classics & fresh lunch dishes.
Their local mini-chain's Central Business District location almost always has a line out the door waiting for tables, but the Canal Street location -- the newest of four -- is a bit bigger and usually has a table ready and waiting. Splurge on their Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed French Toast or Brioche French toast filled with creamy peanut butter cheesecake and topped with chocolate ganache.
Open: Monday - Friday 8AM - 2PM, Weekends 8AM - 3PM Ruby Slipper Facebook Page
Personal Recommendations: Omelette, Plain Waffle
Located in the heart of the CBD at Lafayette Square and inside the Blake Hotel, Cafe’ At The Square offers casual breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Comfort food is the center of the menu with daily specials featuring fresh fish, hearty salads, homemade soups, and a pasta of the day, not to mention homemade desserts that change with the seasons. They also offer New Orleans French roast coffee and weekend brunch featuring freshly made omelets, house made granola with fruit and yogurt, steel cut Irish oatmeal with peach compote, crawfish and andouille benedict and fried green tomatoes.
Open: Monday - Friday 7AM - 10PM Weekend Brunch 8AM - 3PM Cafe on the Square Facebook Page
There's something to be said for a restaurant that does one thing and does it well, and that's definitely the case here. Café du Monde has a single edible menu item: beignets. These crispy, puffy French donuts that arrive under a mountain of powdered sugar are a must-eat New Orleans food. Though they don't make for the most sustaining breakfast in town, they're cheap ($2.14 an order) and delicious. Wash 'em down with their classic accompaniment, a chicory-laced café au lait.
A final Public Service Announcement - Do not, and I really mean DO NOT waste your time and eat at Mother's Restaurant. Their old-school cafeteria style service line and bland food makes it one of the most overrated dining establishments in all of the Southeast.
