Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Metairie

"Settle down in this 150-year-old courtyard with lush landscaping for a relaxing bite and a glass of wine (or three). The historic space boasts a romantic ambiance that not even a child in tow can completely ruin. (If the weather isn’t cooperating, the Carriage House offers a rustic alternative.)."

"For a truly unique dining experience in a wonderfully lush French Quarter courtyard, the ever-romantic Cafe Amelie offers an ideal setting for dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch. The courtyard is currently open to reserve for brunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m."

"Café Beignet is a charming, intimate bistro in the heart of the French Quarter that serves authentic Cajun fare in a warm and welcoming setting. With locations on Bourbon and Royal Streets, Cafe Beignet serves tasty fried beignets and other sweet treats, along with a full breakfast every day of the week. Diners line up to get a seat inside or on the lovely outdoor patio and tuck into fluffy omelets with various fillings like andouille sausage, bacon, cheese and spinach, French toast, and Pecan Nut Waffles."

"When in New Orleans, Alton Brown wakes up and strolls over to Cafe Beignet on Royal Street for — you guessed it — the namesake beignets. The chefs here prepare a perfect rendition of New Orleans’ take on a doughnut. The dough is made fresh daily, then allowed a longer-than-standard rise time of three hours, which is the key to its light and airy texture."

"Warehouse DistrictThis Brazilian restaurant does serve seafood and chicken, but the focus is on the vegetarian and vegan side of things. The cooking techniques and exotic ingredients put a Latin American spin on the fruits, vegetables, legumes, soy, and grains that make up Carmo’s menu -- and as a bonus, it serves beer, wine, and cocktails. Try the traditional caipirinha with your veggie delights."

"This tropical cafe serves up some pretty strong, sustainable vibes along with a lot of heart and soul. While you can technically order meat here, their menu is largely vegan. Expect lots of tropical dishes with roots in the Caribbean and Latin America, which is a unique spin on traditional vegan restaurants in New Orleans."

"This worldly café serves cuisine from Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Vegan delights include the Broken Noodle Salad and the Caribbean Banana Cake."

"Just a short walk away (essentially on the opposite side of Jackson Square as the St. Louis Cathedral) sits the famous Cafe du Monde, home to French-style beignets (fried doughnuts topped with a literal inch of powdered sugar) and a cafe au lait. The menu is very small–beignets are the only food that they serve, though there are a few other drinks on the menu–and very reasonably priced, with a plate of three beignets and a drink coming out to $6.00 USD even (cash only, though there’s an ATM hidden in a tourism office across the street) as of the time of writing."

"This is also where you can have a famous Café du Monde beignet covered in powdered sugar, have your tarot cards read at Hex, get a taste of voodoo culture at Voodoo Authentica, and shop for jewelry, clothing, and antiques all throughout the neighborhood. The Pharmacy Museum has quite an interesting tour – don’t let the name fool you!. It’s all about old school remedies and how they evolved through history, with a local twist."

"Snack time at Cafe du Monde Gotta get some beignets or you didn’t come to NOLA. Have them with cafe au lait or hot chocolate. Beignets are just deep-fried dough drowning in powdered sugar."

"Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Ave., (504) 287-0877; www.terrazu.net. A Terrazu Scoop salad features chicken, tuna or shrimp salad over mixed greens, red onion, tomato and cucumber."

"On the corner of Laurel and Upperline is this cute coffee hotspot. We recommend their trademark beverage the Stella which is a 1:1 ratio (espresso to water) iced americano. Sometimes it’s the only way to start the day."

"1581 Magazine St., (504) 267-4722; 4877 Laurel St., (504) 875-3699; www.cherrycoffeeroasters.com. A breakfast sandwich features scrambled eggs, bacon, spinach and cheddar cheese."

"The Two Chicks Café is a quaint, colorful café and favorite breakfast spot with a varied breakfast and brunch menu – you’ll find a range of gourmet sandwiches, along with fresh fruit juices and healthy smoothies. Diners can enjoy a variety of omelets with delicious fillings like andouille sausage, bacon and cheese, crab meat and shrimps, and turkey along with sweet and savory crepes, French toast, buttermilk pancakes, crab cakes Benedict, and chia pudding. Sides range from grits and roasted potatoes, home fries, bacon, sausage, and ham, and healthy options like yogurt."

"Well known for its chocolate confections (including a to-die-for chocolate king cake during Carnival), Bittersweet Confection also offers fresh-baked bagels, biscuits, scones, muffins, and croissants. Have a craving outside the area?. Fear not -- the bakery recently opened a second location in the food hall/community center St. Roch Market."

"Located on Magazine near Julia Street in the Warehouse District, this adorable bakery is ready to be your holiday hero this season. For Christmas dinner, the yule log can be ordered online for pickup, or stop in and grab one of their many holiday tins filled with items like peppermint bark, truffles, pralines, and more."

"At the French market you can get a small individualized King Cake complete with the toy baby for good luck!. This tiny cake was the perfect size for the 4 of us to share."

"Although Herbsaint has scattered sidewalk tables under umbrellas and of course that lovely courtyard, there’s also a covered sidewalk area with seating out of the rain. Pull up a chair and enjoy some of chef de cuisine David Rouse’s savory takes on contemporary, seasonal French-Southern cuisine along with rustic Italian dishes. Open for dine-in, takeout, or delivery."

"Herbsaint offers French and Italian cuisine with Southern influences. Although there are some Italian meals featured on the menu, the restaurant is more influenced by French cuisine. Chef Donald Link creates French classic dishes such as duck leg confit and steak and frites, and he gives French dishes Southern twists."

"This might be the finest all-occasion fine-dining restaurant in New Orleans. First, it’s open all day during the week. Second, Chef de Cuisine Rebecca Wilcomb’s cooking is precisely what you want to eat, anytime and every time."

"Located on the corner of St. Louis at Royal Street, the Rib Room has been the haunt of literary greats and the politically infamous for over 50 years. The Rib Room’s rotisserie remains a focal point of the menu of classic to contemporary dishes."

"Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, 621 St. Louis St., (504) 529-7045; www.ribroomneworleans.com. Pan-seared Gulf fish amandine is served with sauteed garlic kale and parsley potatoes. Reservations recommended."

"Using both French and American influences, Cafe Minh takes a modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese BBQ Catfish, Honey-Glazed Chicken, Slow Braised Asian Short Ribs and much more are all part of Cafe Minh’s savory and sophisticated menu. Under the leadership of Vietnam natives Chef Minh Bui and Chef Cynthia VuTran, Cafe Minh offers unique entrees, familiar Vietnamese favorites and an extensive bar selection."

"The Catahoula Hotel, a project by two former Tulane University students, is a funky fusion of a small, classic hotel/boarding house with a hip minimalistic vibe. Billed as a “hideaway in the heart of the city,” this 35-room boutique hotel is walking distance from both the French Quarter and the Central Business District. “This historic property was once a home and that is what drives our ethos,” explain the proprietors."

"Hullen St., Metairie, (504) 267-9190; 4301 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, (504) 885-4845; www.caffecaffe.com. A chipotle chicken wrap includes Swiss cheese and mixed greens in a whole wheat tortilla."

"The smell of bacon maple frosted bars and apple fritters fills the room at Daddy’s Donuts, a staple in the New Orleans donut community. Belly-busting treats are standard here, but you won’t mind indulging a bit as they’re so delicious it makes it all worth it. Apple fritters tend to sell out fast, as do many of their other varieties."

"This beloved family-owned and -operated spot over in Gentilly is beloved for being open seven mornings a week—and for their attention to freshness and a fondness for fun, holiday-themed creations. Go for a classic here: like a sprinkled donut, just like the giant one on their sign."

"This family-run Gentilly fave fries up some mean dough: Bacon-maple frosted bars are a belly-busting case in point. Set back in a small shopping center, Daddy’s isn’t fancy but the sweets are divine. If you’re an apple fritter lover, get there early, since they always sell out."