A staple to locals and visitors, beignets are deep-fried hole-less square donuts often “dusted” in powdered sugar. By “dusted” we mean buried in powdered sugar.
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Café du Monde
Serving customers since 1862, Café du Monde is home to the original sweet beignets. You will find several locations across the city, but the most po-pular is in the French Quarter near Jackson Square. You will wait in line, but you can often grab and go more quickly. Grab your beignets (don’t forget the chicory coffee) and head up the nearby stairs to overlook Jackson Square and the Mississippi River. You can grab your beignets 24-hours a day at Café du Monde. They serve an estimated 30,000 beignets per day.
Café Beignet
If a quieter sit-down atmosphere is what you are after, Café Beignet has several locations throughout the city. Jax Brewery building houses one near Jackson Square, but you should head over to Canal Street if you are a fan of architecture and history. The Canal Street building dates back to the 1800s and displays a cast-iron facade. The design was popular at the time deriving from Spanish culture yet few remain.
Morning Call
Claiming to be New Orleans “most famous coffee drinking place.” They have been serving café au lait for generations (since 1870) to locals and tourists. Morning Call is recognized nationwide as “one of the world’s greatest coffee houses.” They refer to their beignets as French Market donuts as a homage to their market roots.
While we haven’t tasted all the beignets, these are in the lead for best.
Note: Take cash when you go. No credit cards are accepted.
Antione’s Bakery
Known for their King Cakes, but their glazed beignets had us crossing the bridge a couple of times. Of course, they offer the traditional powdered sugar beignets, but the glazed made these beignets unique. Be prepared to order inside and wait in your car for a delivery of hot beignets! Bring extra napkins because eating beignets is messy!
A Bite of History: The Powdered Perfection of Beignets
Beignets, those fluffy pillows of fried dough dusted in powdered sugar, are more than just a breakfast treat in New Orleans. They’re a delightful bite of history, steeped in French heritage and beloved by locals and tourists alike.
Their journey began in ancient Rome, where “scriblita” – a fried dough dipped in fat – was enjoyed. Fast forward to medieval France, where the term “beignet” emerged, meaning “fritter.” French settlers brought them across the Atlantic in the 18th century, introducing them to Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia). With the expulsion of the Acadians, many settled in Louisiana, bringing their beignets and evolving them with local ingredients.
Unlike donuts, beignets lack the signature hole and rely on choux pastry, a light and airy dough that puffs dramatically when fried. Traditionally served hot, the golden squares are showered with powdered sugar, creating a delightful textural contrast between the airy interior and the sweet, powdery exterior.
More about Beignets
- Pronounced ben-YAY
- Beignets are a deep-fried choux pastry and typically about a two-inch square.
- Prepared fresh as you order.
- Beignets were brought to New Orleans in the 18th century by French colonists.
- Some believe the Ursuline Nuns of France who settled in Louisiana in 1727 brought the dessert. But there is no evidence to determine this for certain.
- Often called the culinary cousin to Spanish sopapillas.
You can try your hand at beignets with this recipe.
