The beignet institution that exists in Cafe du Monde's shadow but which many locals quietly prefer. Morning Call has been making beignets since 1870 — eight years after du Monde — and the current location on Canal Boulevard in Mid-City offers a setting that trades Jackson Square's chaos for neighbourhood serenity near City Park. The beignets are slightly different from du Monde's (locals have firm opinions about whose are better, which is one of the city's longest-running culinary arguments), and the cafe au lait carries the same chicory depth. The format is identical: beignets, cafe au lait, powdered sugar everywhere.
Location
Mid-City, New Orleans
Map
Insider Intel
Beignets and cafe au lait — the same order as Cafe du Monde, because the menu is the same concept. The beignets here tend slightly crispier on the outside (partisans on both sides will argue this point endlessly). A direct comparison between Morning Call and Cafe du Monde is the only responsible way to form your own opinion, which means you must visit both, which is not exactly a hardship.
Morning before a City Park visit — NOMA and the park's attractions are a short drive from the Canal Boulevard location. The crowd is lighter than Jackson Square and the neighbourhood setting is more relaxed. Late night is also available for the same 24-hour tradition.
The Canal Boulevard location is the current incarnation; Morning Call has moved several times over its 150+ years, including from its long-time City Park Casino spot. The quieter setting is the main advantage over Cafe du Monde — less crowded and easier to get a table. The beignets-vs-beignets debate between Morning Call and Cafe du Monde is a New Orleans conversation that never resolves. Cash and card accepted. Open 24 hours, which means post-park beignets and post-midnight beignets are equally available.