New Orleans is known for its chicory-infused coffee and offers one of the most famous coffee shops in the world…but that is not where I found great coffee in the Big Easy.
Best Coffee In New Orleans
I know Café du Monde is “the” place to get coffee (and beignets) in NOLA, but I encountered long lines at the airport location–
And far longer longer lines at the original location on Decatur Street between Jackson Square and the French Market–
I’ve purchased French Market chicory coffee before and am rather indifferent to it. It’s not bad but also not my favorite. Thus, I figured I’d focus my coffee quest on my usual third wave style espresso.
The first place I found was called Funny Library inside the Virgin Hotel (which are present at every Virgin hotel).
Funny Library Coffee Shop
(inside Virgin Hotel)
550 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 7011
Open Daily 7:00am – 1:00pm
I liked the eclectic design, though I was bit a less enthusiastic about the La Colombe coffee. The barista was very nice and my cappuccino was fine, but not memorable. There were ceramic cups on top of the coffee machine, but I was told only disposable cups were available due to the pandemic. I shook my head and the barista agreed.
In my hotel review of the Eliza Jane, I mentioned how bad the coffee was there. I was thankful that my friend and colleague Andrew Kunesh, from The Points Guy, recommended a great coffee shop just around the corner from the hotel called Fourth Wall.
Fourth Wall
614 Gravier Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
Open Daily 7:00am – 4:00pm
This is the holy grail of coffee in New Orleans…lovely staff, lovely coffee, lovely setting. I loved everything about this place and had several cups of coffee including a strong flat white, cortado, and a cappuccino (over two visits).
Enjoy your drink in the rear terrace for a bit of calm in the midst of a bustling city.
This hotel is currently on “summer break” but will reopen on August 1st. A full bar is available if you want something more than coffee.
CONCLUSION
New Orleans is filled with coffee shops, but I think I found the gem among gems at Fourth Wall. I look forward to returning and continuing to exploring this intriguing city.
Have a favorite coffee shop in NOLA? Leave your recommendation below.
Funny Library misspelled macchiato.
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Also:
“Enjoy your drink in the rear terrace for a bit of clam in the midst of a bustling city.”
Dyslexia will vex ya. 😉
Come on, you could have walked to cafe du monde at 7 am and had no wait/short wait. And there are plenty of other places that serve beignets and coffee in New Orleans.
Why? To get overrated and overpriced coffee?
It doesn’t really sound like you’d recommend Funny Library, so maybe it doesn’t belong on “Best Coffee in New Orleans.” Fourth Wall looks great though.
I wouldn’t go back to Funny Library, but I think it’s important to note it and I will say that it is a lot better than any chain coffee store which are available all over town.
The only Greek I know owns a coffee shop on State Street. Jimmy Pitsos, remember him? He had an ugly wife… four ugly kids, and good coffee.
Coffee is GOOD for health and this place looks amazing! Will do good to chase away all that alcohol you enjoy (seems like) on your flights too. LOL.
What about Spitfire?
The Vintage New Orleans is another great place with coffee and beignets without the lines and awesome vibe
Good call! I am obsessed with Fourth Wall. It has everything you need: great coffee, sweet staff – a wonderful oasis!
Cherry Coffee Roasters on Laurel and Upperline is the best!
Zotz Coffee House on Oak St near Carrollton.
Lemme see if I understand this; you’re in New Orleans and you *choose* to go to a chain hotel “(which are present at every Virgin hotel)” because The lines at Cafe du Monde were too long? BTW there are no lines at the Cafe du Monde in City Park. And you can rent blue bikes to get there.
Then gain, you don’t seem like a very *adventurous* traveler, at least as far as your NOLA blog(s)
Maybe next time you should take a chance and ask a local; there’s LOTS of great little coffee shops all over the city.