Best Breakfasts in New Orleans

Where should you eat breakfast in a city known worldwide for its incredible food?

New Orleans is certainly known for it’s lively night life and drinking and after a long night of over indulging you might require something extra to help you get through the day. We got you covered here at Nola Tour Guy.

In all of our years leading free walking tours, we’ve found the best breakfast joints in New Orleans- quite an impressive accomplishment in a city that birthed some of the world’s favorite dishes like the Bananas Foster!

Get ready to find your new favorite restaurant with our handpicked list of 22 best breakfast places in New Orleans:

A typical breakfast in New Orleans will include a blend of French, Creole, Cajun, and Southern dishes that reflect the city’s rich history.

These are 6 of the most famous New Orleans breakfast items:

Beignets- Fluffy and soft, these deep-fried pastries are served hot, dusted with powdered sugar, and are often paired with a hot coffee or café au lait.

Café au Lait- This coffee drink has equal parts of hot coffee and steamed milk, creating a creamy, slightly sweet caffeine fix.

Grits- A Southern breakfast staple, grits are a creamy, comforting dish made from ground corn and served with butter, cheese, and sometimes shrimp or sausage.

Omelets or Creole-style eggs– Omelets and scrambled eggs are made with local ingredients like Cajun sausage, shrimp, crawfish, and Andouille sausage.

Pain Perdu– Also known as “lost bread,” Pain Perdu is a French toast-like dish made with day-old French bread soaked in eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla, then fried until golden brown and served with powdered sugar and syrup.

Breakfast Po’boys– Always a popular choice in New Orleans, breakfast po’boys use ingredients like eggs, sausage, bacon, or ham, served on French bread.

A traditional Creole dish is a fusion of French, Spanish, African, and Southern influences, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana. Creole cuisine is known for its bold flavors and generous portions!

In New Orleans, a traditional Creole breakfast can include grits, beignets, red beans and rice, and coffee with chicory.

After taking our free, guided tour of The French Quarter, it’ll come as no surprise that some of New Orleans’s best breakfast food comes from the oldest parts of the city. From iconic beignets to where the locals eat, here’s where to grab breakfast in The French Quarter and Central Business District:

800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

No trip to New Orleans is complete without breakfast food any time of the day at Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter.

The Cafe was first made famous by Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire series, but they’ve been serving up soft, pillowy beignets and their signature cafe au lait with chicory coffee since 1862. A can of chicory coffee and a box of beignet mix from Cafe Du Monde make great souvenirs! Note: the ‘Monde is cash only.
What to order: Beignets, Cafe Au Lait, or Chicory Coffee

613 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Court of the Two Sisters is known for two things: the live jazz brunch buffet that’s served 7 days a week, from 9-3, and their charming, wisteria-heavy courtyard. Note: reservations are recommended.

What to order: Brunch Buffet, Crawfish Pasta, Turtle Soup, Bananas Foster

511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Johnny’s Po Boys is famous for it’s Po-Boys a local giant sandwich. But also has an incredible breakfast, and local plate lunches. Don’t be intimidated by the long lines- they move fairly quickly. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced breakfast beloved by locals, in an old local favorite, give Johnny’s a try. Note: Johnny’s is cash only.
What to order: Gumbo, Po Boys, Breakfast Plate, Muffaletta, Red Beans and Rice, Boudin

417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
At Brennan’s, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And this New Orleans brunch joint truly makes breakfast food an art.

Inside an adorable, pink, 1795 mansion on Royal Street is Brennan’s famous restaurant backed by seven decades of Creole fine dining tradition. New Orleans’s Bananas Foster and Eggs Hussarde were born at at this very restaurant and are now renowned worldwide.
Note: Reservations open up 60 days in advance and fill up quickly.

What to order: Bananas Foster, Eggs Hussarde, Steak Diane, Turtle Soup, Milk Punch Cocktail

In the Garden District: 2802 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
In the French Quarter: 204 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Tourists and locals alike choose the Ruby Slipper for their incredible brunch options. The menu plays on Southern classics by adding creative twists, such as the berry chantilly pancakes. Adults love Ruby Slipper for their fantastic bloody marys and fun mimosa flights.
Note: No drinking? No problem. Check out our guide to finding non-alcoholic drinks in New Orleans.

What to order: Beignets, Bananas Foster French Toast, Pain Perdu, Shrimp and Grits, Eggs Benedict

On Bourbon Street: 311 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70130
On Decatur: 600 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
On Royal Street: 334 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Cafe Beignet is a family-owned hot spot- prepare for a wait, and don’t be surprised to see lines out the door. The line is there for a reason- the chocolate-drizzled beignets are an enigma in the world of New Orleans breakfast foods.

You can find Cafe Beignet in 3 different locations:

The Bourbon Street location is known to have live music in its charming, statue-lined courtyard that oozes authentic New Orleans vibes.

The Decatur Street Cafe is known to have more of a Bistro atmosphere with tiled floors and window walls.

At the Royal Street spot, the palm tree-stuffed courtyard is a quiet oasis away from the business of The Quarter.

What to Order: Chocolate Drizzled Beignets, Jamabalya, Gumbo, Andouille Sausage Hash and Omelette

115 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Walk past the colorful stained glass doors into a yellow-walled eatery known as Jimi J’s Cafe.

This quaint French Quarter restaurant is well known among locals for serving massive portions of consistently incredible food. Rotating daily specials, with fun things like Captain Crunch french toast, keeps things interesting.

What to order: Eggs Benedict, Po’Boy, Monte Cristo French Toast, Sausage Biscuits and Gravy, Bacon Bloody Mary

In the French Quarter: 121 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
In the CBD: 308 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
Your typical Southern breakfast joint, Daisy Dukes, is the perfect late-night post-Bourbon Street stop. The beignet fries are a deliciously unique take on the NOLA classic, and the red beans and rice are beyond satisfying (and filling). Note: If you’re visiting New Orleans on a budget, Daisy Dukes is a great choice for a hearty, tasty breakfast.

What to order: Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, Po’boys, Alligator Omelette, Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, Hashbrowns, Beignet Fries, Bloody Marys

Around the corner and a bit down river from the Quarter, the neighborhoods of Bywater and Marigny have a few choice breakfast spots. These neighborhoods have become hipster havens. Check out the best breakfast restaurants in the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods:

2440 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Horn’s Eatery dishes out hearty Louisiana Southern fare in a cozy bungalow setting with sidewalk seating. Inside, big, comfy booths make you feel like you’re in a familiar diner. Outside, the seating on the Chartres Street side is semi-shaded in the summer, perfect for people-watching.

What to order: Fried Oyster Benedict, Etoufee and Grits, Cornbread Waffle, Bread Pudding

2401 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117
The colors are the first you’ll notice about this New Orleans breakfast favorite. Who Dat Coffee Cafe is as colorful on the inside as on the outside. Being located in the hip Marigny neighborhood, a trip to the Cafe means you’ll be rubbing elbows with locals (or at least observing them if you sit outside).

Who Dat is known for Cajun-style dishes, tasty espresso drinks, potent bloody marys, and a menu of delicious baked goods you can take with you.

What to order: The Breakfast Sandwich, Who Dat Latte, Corn Fritters, Catfish Bene

601 Gallier St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Elizabeth’s Restaurant has been a funky breakfast hub in the historic Bywater neighborhood for years. The cute old house is filled with art from local Bywater artists. Strong coffee, red velvet waffles, and PRALINE bacon. What else could you want?

What to order: Boudin Balls with Creole Mustard Sauce, Poached Eggs, French Toast Burrito, Praline Bacon, Red Velvet Waffle, Bloody Mary

After you’ve takeh one of our free, guided walking tours of the Garden District, don’t leave the neighborhood without grabbing some good food. Here’s where to brunch your way through the romantic, oak-lined streets of Uptown and the Garden District:

2368 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
There’s a reason we mention Molly’s every chance we get! This charming little eatery in the Garden District is known for its traditional New Orleans breakfast options and cozy atmosphere with wild, photo-worthy decor.

What to order: Beignets, Grits, Creole Omelet, Biscuits and Gravy, Carrot Yogurt

In Uptown: 2521 Jena St, 2nd floor, New Orleans, LA 70115
In the Central Business District: 845 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Bearcat Cafe is a trendy spot known in New Orleans for healthy breakfast choices, including organic, vegan, and vegetarian options.

The Uptown location is bright and modern with tons of windows, the perfect spot for catching up on emails or doing some light laptop work. Bearcat’s Central Business District (CBD) location is Warehouse chic in keeping with the neighborhood’s theme.

What to order: Churro Donut, Chia Pudding, Shrimp and Grits, Crab Scramble, Vegan Options

901 Louisiana Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
High ceilings filled with art and a beautiful wooden staircase give the Atchafalaya restaurant a rustically refined elegance. Housed in a small Creole cottage, expect fun Louisiana fare, drinks, and a classic bloody mary bar during brunch time. Tiny tables out front are perfect for crossing the creamy blue crab ravioli off your bucket list.

What to order: Shrimp and Grits, Gumbo, Blue Crab Ravioli, Duck Confit, Fried Green Tomatoes

1418 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
The people of New Orleans love handmade bagels and freshly squeezed juices at Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar.

Everything here is the best of the best. The Banana’s Foster French Toast is fantastic. The boudin breakfast biscuits are beautiful. The juice is mouthwatering. The pancakes are legendary. Surrey’s is a New Orleans breakfast essential.

What to order: Migas, Bagels, Shrimp and Grits, Boudin Breakfast Biscuits, Crab Omellete, Banana Pancakes, Banana’s Foster French Toast

1829 Sophie Wright Pl, New Orleans, LA
If you’re coming for one of Hivolt’s famous breakfast sandwiches, bring your appetite with you- they’re huge.

The simple menu has everything you need from your neighborhood coffee shop. However, Hivolt also has brewed-to-order iced pour over coffee from several origins. Their famous Cola Cocktail Soda is similar to Coke Black. Try it with a slice of orange for maximum enjoyment.

What to order: Breakfast Sandwiches, Poached Eggs, Breakfast Bowls, Cola Cocktail Soda

3322 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
For gluten-free people, Slim Goodies Diner is your spot. This Garden District breakfast join is locally famous for its delicious gluten-free dishes.

Decor-wise, Slim’s is exactly what you’d expect from a quirky breakfast joint on Magazine Street, with fun purple walls covered in polaroids and multi-colored leather booths.

What to order: Crawfish Etouffee, Potato Pancakes, Tex-Mex Slammer

7901 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118
Satsuma Maple is an Uptown gem. Known as a hipster-forward, brick-walled coffeehouse with tasty American fare, this cafe is always busy. Satsuma attracts a younger crowd, as it’s walking distance from Tulane. The wraparound outdoor patio is a hit with all age groups. There is also a Satsuma in the Bywater.

What to order: Juices, Breakfast Sandwiches, BLT, Avacado Toast, Mexican Breakfast Plate

If you’re looking to beat the heat at City Park or the crowds at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) you’ll want to start early. Here’s where to get breakfast and brunch in Mid-City – from organic juices to Creole classics:

3701 Iberville St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Katie’s on Iberville is a happy place with many windows and bright lights. This tiny food and drink joint is packed to the wall with patrons on weekends. Locals know this is the spot for distinctly New Orleans Creole-Italian fare like seafood pizza, po’boys, and crawfish beignets.

If you love cheese, the crawfish beignet will change your life: spicy, cheesy shrimp and crawfish stuffed into a crispy, flaky beignet dough and then deep-fried.

What to order: Po’boys, Crawfish Beignets, Muffaletta, Seafood Pizza, Eggplant Fries, Blackberry Margarita

1781 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119
To understand the excitement behind this NOLA breakfast place, you have to know how much this city loves its buttermilk drops.

Invented in New Orleans by the now closed McKenzie’s Bakery, a buttermilk drop is essentially a donut-buttery, silky, flaky, biscuit-like creation that is incredibly delicious. Buttermilk Drop Bakery has a home cookin’ flavor to their savory breakfast items, but most importantly, they have some of the best, you guessed it, buttermilk drops in town. All their pastries and donuts, not just their namesake, are outstanding. If your a doughnut lover you need to go here!

What to order: The Buttermilk Drop, Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, Glazed Donuts, King Cake, Cinamon Rolls, Apple Fritters, Buttermilk Donuts

1430 N Dorgenois St, New Orleans, LA 70119

It’s easy to see where Pagoda Cafe gets its name.

Step into the pagoda-shaped restaurant for delicious New Orleans breakfast options. This is an excellent choice for a quick breakfast or brunch if you’re in the neighborhood. The breakfast tacos are tasty and filling, and they also have a wide selection of vegan options like donuts, pastries, sandwiches, and coffees. The crown jewel of Pagoda is, without a doubt, the guava cream cheese puffs.

What to order: Pastries, Guava Cream Cheese Puffs, Green Onion Sausage Roll, Egg Cup

In The French Quarter: 1035 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
In Fairgrounds: 1845 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119

Which ever location you pick, French Quarter or out by the Fairground Toast is one our favorite places for breakfast in New Orleans. Toast is brunch food served in a warm, intimate space with lofty ceilings and cozy wood beams. The puff pancakes with their famous lemon curd has just the right balance of sweetness and tang. Toast’s veggie omelet with ratatouille and goat cheese is legendary in New Orleans.

What to order: Chicken and Waffles, Lemon Curd, Omelette with Ratatouille, Fried Catfish, Irish Coffee

Is your stomach swirling with ideas? Are your brunch fingers itching? If you found this post helpful or think we need to add a spot, comment below. Want to learn more about New orleans history and culture? Check out our Free Walking Tours