Food & Drink· 1862· French Quarter

Café Du Monde

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since 1862 — closed only for hurricanes and once for Christmas. The menu has exactly three items: beignets (fried dough buried in powdered sugar), café au lait (chicory coffee with hot milk), and orange juice. That's it. The original open-air stand at the edge of the French Market has been serving them in the same way for over 160 years. The powdered sugar will get on everything you own. Locals come at 2 AM after a night out; tourists come at 10 AM and wait in line. Both groups are getting the same thing.

Quick facts

·Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1862 — closed only for hurricanes and once for Christmas.
·The menu has exactly three items: beignets, café au lait (chicory coffee with hot milk), and orange juice.
·The original open-air stand sits at the edge of the French Market, serving the same way for over 160 years.
·The powdered sugar will get on everything you own. There is no way to avoid this.
·Chicory was added to coffee during the Civil War when trade blockades cut off regular supply — the taste stuck.
·Locals come at 2 AM; tourists come at 10 AM and wait in line. Both groups get the same thing.
·No tipping at the counter. Cash and card accepted.